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Gurukunj Ashram: How One Rural Hub Redefined Spiritual Service

Gurukunj Ashram: How One Rural Hub Redefined Spiritual Service
Gurukunj Ashram: How One Rural Hub Redefined Spiritual Service

In the arid heartland of Vidarbha, along the arterial highway connecting Nagpur and Amravati, stands a settlement that defies the typical definition of a religious retreat. Gurukunj Ashram in Mozari is not a place for world-weary ascetics seeking isolation; it is a bustling laboratory of social engineering established in 1935.


Founded by Manik Bandoji Ingle, universally revered as Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj, this institution operates on a radical premise: the village is the temple, and service to it is the only true form of worship.


For travellers passing through Amravati district, the ashram’s entrance offers an immediate declaration of its ethos with the inscription: "Open to all is the temple of ours; Welcome to all from every creed and religion."



The Philosophy of the Gram Geeta


The intellectual bedrock of Gurukunj is the Gram Geeta, a text that Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj authored not in the complex Sanskrit of the elite, but in the rustic Marathi of the farmer.


Unlike traditional scriptures that focus on individual salvation or moksha, the Gram Geeta serves as a constitution for rural reconstruction.

It argues that a nation cannot rise if its villages remain shackled by superstition, caste hierarchy, and squalor. The ashram serves as the physical manifestation of this text, where the abstract concepts of Bhakti (devotion) and Shakti (power) are fused into practical social work.


The central organisation, the Akhil Bharatiya Shri Gurudev Seva Mandal, orchestrates the ashram's activities. Its volunteers, known as Gurudev Bhakts, are trained to view a broom as a sacred implement.


The philosophy here is practical: before one can find God, one must find hygiene, discipline, and self-reliance. This approach was revolutionary in pre-independence India, and it remains relevant today.


The ashram does not promise miracles; instead, it demands hard labour. It teaches that the "God of the Village" (Gramdevata) is appeased not by rituals, but by clean drains, educated children, and united communities.



Architecture of Service


The campus of Gurukunj Mozari is designed for utility and community living. Its focal point is the Maha Samadhi of the Rashtrasant, a structure that commands respect not through opulence but through its serene simplicity. Just across from the spiritual centre lies the Shri Gurudeo Ayurved College and Hospital.


Established to revive traditional Indian medicine while making it accessible to the rural poor, this institution bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern healthcare needs.

It stands as a testament to the founder’s belief that a healthy body is a prerequisite for a healthy spiritual life.


Surrounding these core structures are various departments dedicated to the holistic development of Vidarbha. The ashram houses hostels that accommodate students from diverse backgrounds, breaking down caste barriers by forcing them to live and dine together.


The "Gurudeo Press" operates tirelessly, printing low-cost editions of the Gram Geeta and other booklets that disseminate knowledge on everything from organic farming to de-addiction.


There are dedicated sections for women's empowerment, organising the massive "Mahila Sammelan" (Women's Conference) that gives rural women a rare platform to voice their concerns and leadership.


A Routine of Discipline and Duty


Life at Mozari is governed by a clockwork routine that emphasises collective action over individual prayer. The day begins with the Samudayik Prarthana (Community Prayer), a unique liturgy designed to be chanted by people of all faiths.


The lyrics focus on universal brotherhood and national duty rather than sectarian deities. This is followed immediately by Gram Safai (village cleaning).

Long before national sanitation campaigns made headlines, the residents of Gurukunj were sweeping the highway and ashram grounds every morning. This act is non-negotiable for everyone, from the senior-most trustee to the youngest novice, reinforcing the dignity of labour.


The annual Punyatithi Mahotsav (Death Anniversary Festival) held in October is the most significant event in the ashram's calendar.


It transforms the quiet settlement into a massive convention of social reformers. Unlike typical religious fairs that devolve into commerce, this event focuses on dialogue. Sessions are held on communal harmony, the eradication of dowry, and the promotion of cottage industries.


The khanjiri, the traditional tambourine played by Tukdoji Maharaj, is still heard during these gatherings, its rhythmic beats accompanying bhajans that function more like protest songs against social evils than traditional hymns.


The impact of Gurukunj Ashram extends deep into the tribal belts of Melghat and the agrarian plains of Vidarbha.


The ashram trains Pracharaks (propagators) who travel to remote villages to set up local units of the Seva Mandal. These units function as vigilance committees, fighting against alcoholism and gambling, which the Rashtrasant identified as the twin plagues of rural India.


The ashram’s de-addiction initiatives are legendary, often succeeding where government programs fail because they frame sobriety as a spiritual and patriotic duty.


In the end, Gurukunj Mozari is more than just a memorial to a departed saint; it is a living organism that continues to challenge the status quo. It stands as a reminder that the true capital of India is not New Delhi, but the village.


By elevating the status of the villager and dignifying the labour of the farmer, the ashram keeps the flame of the Gram Geeta burning. It remains a place where the divine is sought in the sweat of the brow and the unity of the community.




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The NewsDirt is a trusted source for authentic, ground-level journalism, highlighting the daily struggles, public issues, history, and local stories from Vidarbha’s cities, towns, and villages. Committed to amplifying voices often ignored by mainstream media, we bring you reliable, factual, and impactful reporting from Vidarbha’s grassroots.

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