Jog Maharaj
{{Short description|Indian Marathi Kirtankar and preacher}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = Sadguru
| name = Jog Maharaj
| image = Vishnu Narsimha Jog.jpg
| caption = Jog Maharaj
| other_names = Vishnubuva Jog
| birth_name = Vishnu Narsimha Jog
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1867|09|14}}
| birth_place = Poona, Bombay Presidency, British India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1920|02|05|1867|09|14}}
| death_place = Alandi, Bombay Presidency, British India
| occupation = {{hlist|Founder of Warkari Shikshan Sanstha|kirtankar|preacher}}
| mother = Saraswati Devi
| father = Narsimha alias Narsopant
| website =
}}
Vishnu Narsimha Jog (14 September 1867 – 5 February 1920){{Cite web |last=वृत्तसेवा |first=प्रभात |date=2022-02-17 |title=जोग महाराज पुण्यतिथी महोत्सवाची सांगता |url=https://www.dainikprabhat.com/conclusion-of-jog-maharaj-punyatithi-mahotsav/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Dainik Prabhat |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-02-17 |title=सद्गुरू जोग महाराज पुण्यतिथी - |url=https://dnyanbatukaram.com/dinvishesh/punyatithi-of-jog-maharaj-who-started-warkari-shikshan-sanstha/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |language=en-US}} popularly known as Jog Maharaj,{{Cite book |last=Offredi |first=Mariola |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m77YAAAAMAAJ&q=jog+maharaj |title=The Banyan Tree: Essays on Early Literature in New Indo-Aryan Languages : Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Early Literature in New Indo-Aryan Languages, Venice, 1997 |date=2000 |publisher=Manohar Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-81-7304-342-0 |language=en}} was a Marathi Kirtankar and preacher, he established India's first Warkari Shikshan Sanstha in Alandi in 1917.{{Cite web |title=Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal Switzerland - इतिहासात ५ फेब्रुवारी |url=https://bruhan-mms.org/Historical-References/12575527 |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=bruhan-mms.org}}
He initiated social awareness campaigns by adopting the thoughts of Sant Tukaram. To the ignorant and illiterate, he explained the philosophy of Warkari Sampradaya worldview in plain, understandable words. With the intention of bringing Warkari Sampradaya to the masses in Maharashtra, Jog Maharaj founded Warkari Shikshan Sanstha in Alandi. He generated hundreds of preachers and kirtankars through this institution. As of now, hundreds of kirtankars are evangelizing villages across the world consequently of his vision.
Jog Maharaj was a propagator of Warkari Sampradaya. He studied many books of Marathi saints. He was the first to interpret the Abhanga
Early life and family
Vishnubuva was born on 14 September 1867 in Pune, to Narsimha and Saraswati Devi. He had four siblings, he was the youngest. His father Narasopant was the teacher of Raja of Sawantwadi. He has completed his education up to 4th standard in Modi script.{{Cite web |title=सद्गुरू जोग महाराज आणि वारकरी शिक्षण संस्था |url=https://www.evivek.com/Encyc/2020/2/18/-Jog-Maharaj-Warkari-Shikshan-Sanstha.html |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=www.evivek.com |language=en}} In the Jog Maharaj's family there was a generational Pehlwanaki. He had a knack for Malla-Vidya since childhood. His elder brother Pandoba was a renowned Malla of Pune. He was the ustad of Nagarkar Talim in Pune.
Warkari Shikshan Sanstha
{{Main article|Jog Maharaj Warkari Shikshan Sanstha}}
Jog Maharaj established the first Warkari Shishan Sanstha in 1917 in Alandi.{{Cite web |title=Want to become a 'kirtankar?' Crack an entrance exam |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-want-to-become-a-kirtankar-crack-an-entrance-exam-1548746 |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Daily News and Analysis |language=en}} Bankatswami, Lakshmanbuwa Igatpurikar, Marutibuwa Gurav, Pandurang Sharma, Lakshmanbuwa Kundkar were disciples of Jog Maharaj who continued the Warkari Shikshan Sanstha.
Legacy
File:Shree Sadguru Jog Maharaj Mandir.jpg
The death anniversary of Jog Maharaj is celebrated as Punyatithi Utsav starts from Magh Shuddha Navami in Alandi.{{Cite web |title=जोग महाराज पुण्यतिथी उत्सव:दशरथे महाराजांच्या कीर्तनाने सुवर्ण महोत्सवाची सांगता |url=https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/local/maharashtra/ahmednagar/news/the-golden-festival-concluded-with-the-kirtan-of-dasarthe-maharaj-130891571.html |url-access=registration |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Divya Marathi}}
The obituary of Jog published in Kesari newspaper was written by Bal Gangadhar Tilak himself.