Saint Tukaram

On Vasanta Panchami / Magha Shuddha Panchami in 1598, Sant Tukaram Maharaj was born in the village of Dehu near Pune. His father was Bolhoba Ambile, mother was Kanakai, and his wife was Avali. The Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur was Tukaram's supreme deity. He became deeply immersed in the remembrance of Vitthal, singing Abhangas, and participating in Kirtans,. With the blessings of his guru, Babaji Chaitanya, he attained knowledge. Tukaram wrote more than five thousand Abhangas, compiling them into the book 'Tukaramachi Gatha.' Tukaram Maharaj was a prominent saint in the Varakari tradition of Maharashtra. In praise, the Varakaris exclaim, 'Pundalik Varde Hari Vitthala, Shri Dnyandev Tukaram, Pandharinath Maharaj ki Jai, Jagadguru Shri Tukaram Maharaj ki Jai.'

Tukaram Maharaj performed his last kirtan under Nandurki tree on the banks of Indrayani river, in Dehu around noon, and left for heavenly abode from there. This day is  named as ‘Tukaram Bij’, and Varakaris and devotees celebrate it with great devotion. Legend has it that on the day of Tukaram Beej, at precisely noon, the Nandurki tree sheds its leaves spontaneously, a scene witnessed by many devotees who gather in large numbers to witness it