Pune: Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare, a revered scholar of saint literature and senior spiritual orator, passed away on Monday (January 20) night at 10:30 PM at a private hospital in Chinchwad due to cardiac arrest. Dr. Sakhare, 89, had been hospitalized for two days due to health issues. His last rites will be conducted on Tuesday (January 21) afternoon in Alandi.
Dr. Sakhare dedicated his life to the study and dissemination of saint literature, philosophy, and spirituality. After taking charge of the Sadhakashram in Alandi in 1960, he tirelessly mentored numerous students in the teachings of saint literature and philosophy. Through kirtans and discourses, he brought spiritual enlightenment to rural Maharashtra for decades, training thousands of kirtankars and spiritual speakers.
He also served as a trustee of the Shri Kshetra Alandi Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan and chaired the development committee for the Alandi-Dehu region. Dr. Sakhare was instrumental in publishing an audiovisual edition of the revered text Dnyaneshwari and authored 115 books in Sanskrit and Marathi. His notable works include annotated versions of the Dnyaneshwari, Eknathi Bhagwat, Tukaram Maharaj Gatha, Bhagavad Gita, Brahmasutras, and Upanishads.
Achievements and Contributions
Dr. Sakhare published 500 copper-plate inscriptions of the Dnyaneshwari, a monumental effort in preserving the scripture.
He was honored with the prestigious Dnyanoba-Tukaram Award by the Maharashtra government in 2018 and a D.Litt. by Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth.
A strong advocate of value-based education, Dr. Sakhare successfully initiated free children's spiritual camps. He organized Gita-Dnyaneshwari Yagnas across Maharashtra and outside, including Varanasi, Vrindavan, and Rameswaram.
Dr. Sakhare also embraced modern technology, starting a computer training initiative through the Advanced Computer Studies Center (CDAC) to equip graduates with essential skills.
Legacy in Education and Spirituality
Dr. Sakhare’s academic contributions were recognized by leading universities such as Savitribai Phule Pune University, Nagpur University, and Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, where he served as a guide and examiner for doctoral studies. He also served as an adjudicator for kirtan competitions aired by All India Radio for over four decades.
Apart from his academic and spiritual endeavors, he edited Swastishri, a spiritual monthly magazine, for 45 years. He chaired the All-India Kirtankar Conference in Buldhana and worked as a member of the Maharashtra State Literature and Culture Board.
Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare’s relentless efforts also included social reform. Through his kirtans, he inspired thousands to adopt a path of spirituality and abandon substance abuse, creating a lasting impact on society.
