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{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = Saint
| name = Morari Bapu
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Sanju Vala Darshak Sanman 2014 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Morari Bapu
| birth_name = Moraridas Prabhudas Hariyani
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1946|03|02}}
| birth_place = Talgajarda, [[Bhavnagar]], [[Gujarat]]
| nationality = Indian
| other_names =
| citizenship = Indian
| education =
| occupation = Reciter, [[Ram Charit Manas]] Kathakar
| years_active =
| spouse = Narmadaben Hariyani
| children = 4
| parents =
| relatives =
| callsign =
| awards =
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| signature_size =
| website = {{URL|http://chitrakutdhamtalgajarda.org/}}
| footnotes =
}}

'''Morari Bapu''' (Moraridas Prabhudas Hariyani) is an Indian spiritual leader and preacher from [[Gujarat]] who is popularly known for his discourses on [[Ramcharitmanas]] across various cities in India and abroad. He is also known for philanthropy and social reforms through his discourses.

==Early life==
Morari Bapu was born on 2 March 1946 ([[Shivaratri]] according to [[Hindu calendar]]) in Talgajarda village near [[Mahuva (Bhavnagar district)|Mahuva]], Gujarat, to Prabhudas Bapu Hariyani and Savitri Ben Hariyani, in a family of six brothers and two sisters.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ncL8Ve9FqNwC&pg=PA4923|title=The Indian Encyclopaedia: Meya-National Congress|last=Kapoor|first=Subodh|date=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|isbn=9788177552737|page=4923|language=en}}</ref><ref>[http://www.moraribapu.org/moraribapu_biography.html Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221140038/http://moraribapu.org/moraribapu_biography.html |date=21 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sBieDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT15|title=Jewels of Gujarat: Morari 'Bapu' Prabhudas Hariyani: Leading Global Gujarati Personality|last=Media|first=Maneesh|date=20 June 2019|publisher=Maneesh Media|language=en}}</ref> His family followed [[Nimbarka Sampradaya]], a Hindu [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] tradition.<ref name=":1">{{Cite encyclopedia|last1=Sheth|first1=Chandrakant|author1-link=Chandrakant Sheth|last2=Parikh|first2=Pravinchandra|last3=Shukla|first3=Bansidhar|title=મોરારિબાપુ|encyclopedia=[[Gujarati Vishwakosh]]|editor-last=Thaker|editor-first=Dhirubhai|editor-link=Dhirubhai Thaker|publisher=Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust|year=2002|edition=1st|oclc=248968280|volume=XVI|location=Ahmedabad|pages=725–726|language=gu}}</ref> He considers his grandfather Tribhovandas Hariyani as his [[guru]], spiritual teacher, and learnt ''Ramcharitmanas'' from him at a place now known as Chitrakutdham. He memorized the [[Chaupai (poetry)|chaupais]] (couplets) while travelling from Talgajarda to primary and secondary schools in Mahuva.<ref name=":1" />

After completing secondary education, he joined Shahpur Teachers Training College in [[Junagadh]]. Later he joined a primary school in Pauva as a teacher in 1966.<ref name=":1" />

== Career ==
At the age of 14, he gave his first discourse on ''Ramcharitmanas'' under Ramfaldas Maharaj at a nine-day discourse held at Dhanfulia, a village in Gujarat.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Since then, Morari Bapu has performed 800+ Ramkathas, each of nine days based upon a particular verse from ''Ramcharitmanas''. He has also narrated upon 19 verses of the reverend Gopi Geet (each verse discourse of seven days). His Katha, always went through its journey with two vital aspects - "Bhajan"(Prayers) and "Bhojan Prasad"(meals/blessed food/sacrament). His katha never had any boundaries to who can listen to his katha/orations-irrespective of his gender,caste,religion,breed,financial status,etc. It was and is always open to all,for all and of all. He gave his first discourse abroad in [[Nairobi]] in 1976.<ref name=":0" /> He gives discourses (''[[Katha (storytelling format)|kathaa]]''s) in [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] and [[Hindi]] in India and abroad. He has given discourses in the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], [[South Africa]], [[Kenya]], [[Uganda]], Cambodia, Jordan, Muscat as well as on a cruise ship in the [[Mediterranean Sea]], and on an airplane travelling the world, in [[Vatican City]] and on the foothills of Mount [[Kailash mansarovar|Kailash]] in China.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WhgDL6SwGeQC&pg=PA125|title=The Intimate Other: Love Divine in Indic Religions|last1=King|first1=Anna S.|last2=Brockington|first2=J. L.|date=2005|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=9788125028017|page=125|language=en}}</ref>

== Views and Philanthropy ==
Bapu, who believes in ‘Pravahi Parampara’ (flowing tradition), has been speaking for progressive norms in the 21st century and feels there should be no stagnancy in religious beliefs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Girls should be allowed to conduct last rites|url=https://zeenews.india.com/exclusive/girls-should-be-allowed-to-conduct-last-rites_3463.html|date=2012-02-06|website=Zee News|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>

Bapu has tried to reach the "last-man" whenever and wherever possible along his 60-year journey at various places. He has also visited people in Jail (like Bhavnagar, Rajkot,<ref>{{Citation|title=VTV - KATHAKAR MORARIBAPU VISITED RAJKOT CENTRAL PRISON , RAJKOT|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1JK2GNG5vE|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> Buxur,<ref>{{Citation|title=Morari Bapu Visits Buxar Central Jail {{!}}{{!}} जेल में कैदियों के बीच बापू का प्रवचन {{!}}|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnI4Pd1QYEM|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> Sabarmati<ref>{{Cite web|title=Morari Bapu infuses spiritual life into Sabarmati inmates|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-morari-bapu-infuses-spiritual-life-into-sabarmati-inmates-1379675|last=Jha|first=Paras K.|date=2010-05-06|website=DNA India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>)

'''Katha in Ayodhya:'''

In the interview with the [[Times Now]], Morari Bapu said that it is his motive to make ''Ram Katha'' (Story of Rama) accessible to the neglected, exploited and marginalised segments of society, just as Ram himself went to the Shabris, Nishads and Sugareevas of that time".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/morari-bapu-ram-katha-ayodhya-sex-workers-ram-temple-babri-masjid/336839|title=Exclusive Interview: Morari Bapu on Ram Katha in Ayodhya for Sex Workers|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref> In the December month of 2018, Morari Bapu had organised the Ram Katha among sex workers in [[Ayodhya]] and he pledged ₹3 crore for the welfare of sex workers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/morari-bapu-pledges-rs-3-cr-for-sex-workers/articleshow/67264990.cms|title=Morari Bapu pledges Rs 3 cr for sex workers|last1=Ghosh|first1=Labonita GhoshLabonita|last2=Dec 27|first2=Mumbai Mirror {{!}} Updated|website=Mumbai Mirror|language=en|access-date=9 October 2019|last3=2018|last4=Ist|first4=06:00}}</ref> In the last, he distributed ₹6.92 crore (69.2 million) for welfare of the sex workers in which he added ₹11 lakh (1.1 million) of his own.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/morari-bapu-ram-katha-distributes-7-crores-welfare-of-sex-workers-ayodhya-ram-katha-morari-bapu-katha-2019-speech-talgajarda-bhavnagar-gujarat-news/349360|title=Morari Bapu distributes nearly Rs 7 crores collected in Ayodhya Ram Katha towards welfare of sex workers|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/morari-bapu-donates-funds-for-welfare-of-sex-workers/articleshow/67564623.cms|title=Morari Bapu donates funds for welfare of sex workers {{!}} Ahmedabad News - Times of India|last1=17 Jan|first1=Bharat Yagnik {{!}} TNN {{!}} Updated|last2=2019|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=9 October 2019|last3=Ist|first3=7:19}}</ref> Morari Bapu's discourse to sex workers in the Ayodhya was criticised by several Hindu religious and spiritual leaders.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-morari-bapu-kicks-row-after-narrating-ram-katha-to-sex-workers-in-ayodhya/322227|title=Morari Bapu Kicks Row After Narrating Ram Katha To Sex Workers In Ayodhya|website=Outlook India|access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/sex-workers-at-ayodhya-ram-katha-triggers-row/articleshow/67213562.cms|title=Sex workers at Ayodhya Ram Katha triggers row {{!}} Lucknow News - Times of India|last1=23 Dec|first1=Arshad Afzaal Khan {{!}} TNN {{!}} Updated|last2=2018|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=18 October 2019|last3=Ist|first3=10:25}}</ref> He responded that he would addressing a deprived section of society and cited that Rama's life was based on acceptance and reforms.<ref name=":2" /> Morari Bapu was the first spiritual leader to meet [[sex worker]]s in the Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/morari-bapu-becomes-first-spiritual-leader-to-meet-sex-workers-invites-them-to-katha-event-in-ayodhya/331107|title=Morari Bapu becomes first spiritual leader to meet sex workers, invites them to katha event in Ayodhya|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref>[[File:The Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma paying homage at the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi.jpg|thumb|Morari Bapu giving tribute to the portrait of [[Mahatma Gandhi]].|alt=]]

'''Katha for transgenders:'''

Earlier in December 2016, Morari Bapu had organised Ram Katha for the [[transgender]]s in [[Mumbai]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/when-ram-katha-unites-morari-bapu-deepens-community-and-citizenship-by-inviting-sex-workers-to-ayodhya/|title=When Ram Katha unites: Morari Bapu deepens community and citizenship by inviting sex workers to Ayodhya|date=29 December 2018|website=Times of India Blog|language=en-US|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="Patel">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-morari-bapu-s-ram-katha-makes-space-for-transgenders-2285553|title=Morari Bapu's Ram katha makes space for transgenders|last=Patel|first=Pooja|date=23 December 2016|website=DNA India|language=en|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref> For this work, [[Laxmi Narayan Tripathi]], an Indian LGBT activist, had said, “No spiritual or religious leader in the world has ever done this kind of a community event for us and for that, I’m grateful to him.”<ref name="Patel"/>

'''Ayodhya Ram Mandir:'''

Morari Bapu had supported the construction of temple of Rama on the [[Ayodhya dispute|disputed site in Ayodhya]]. In 1992, he attended the event organised by [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] and appealed youth to 'fight' and to be 'martyred' for the Rama Temple.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india-49842395|title=मोरारी बापू: क्या है सनातन धर्म बनाम स्वामीनारायण संप्रदाय का विवाद|last=चुडासमा|first=दीपक|date=30 September 2019|access-date=9 October 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> In a TV show, ''[[Aap Ki Adalat]]'', he appealed the [[Supreme Court of India]] not to delay the judgement regarding the temple.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-morari-bapu-in-aap-ki-adalat-appeal-supreme-court-not-to-delay-hearing-on-ram-temple-499987|title=Morari Bapu in Aap Ki Adalat: 'Appeal Supreme Court not to delay hearing on Ram temple'|last=Taneja|first=Nidhi|date=19 January 2019|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref> In the same episode, he said that nobody can question the patriotism of [[Narendra Modi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-morari-bapu-in-aap-ki-adalat-rajat-sharma-pm-modi-ayodhya-ram-mandir-499984|title='Nobody can question PM Modi's patriotism': Morari Bapu in Aap Ki Adalat|last=Shantanu|first=Shashank|date=19 January 2019|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref> In July 2020, during his discourse at Pithoria Dham located near his village, Morari Bapu announced {{INRconvert|5|c}} donation for the construction of Ram Janmabhoomi temple and urged his followers to contribute as well.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jul 28|first=ANI /|last2=2020|last3=Ist|first3=09:14|title=Morari Bapu announces Rs 5 cr donation for construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/morari-bapu-announces-rs-5-cr-donation-for-construction-of-ram-temple-at-ayodhya/articleshow/77212102.cms|access-date=2021-02-09|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> He contributed {{INRconvert|11.3|c}} with help of his followers. He became the highest donor.<ref>https://theprint.in/india/spiritual-leader-morari-bapu-highest-donor-as-ram-temple-trust-collects-over-rs-100-cr/576397/</ref>

'''Katha for Soldiers:'''

Bapu has always supported and glorified the soldiers of India in his various kathas and speeches. He has visited them a couple of times at Wagha,Ferozpur,Amarnath and wherever he can.
In 2017, he had organised a discourse in [[Surat]] to help the families of army personnel who had died in the conflict.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/report-ramkatha-in-surat-protest-hub-to-raise-funds-for-martyrs-2559808|title='Ramkatha' in Surat protest hub to raise funds for martyrs|last=Kumar|first=Manan|date=14 November 2017|website=DNA India|language=en|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/GUJ-SUR-OMC-ramkatha-by-murari-bapu-for-army-5757068-PHO.html|title=सूरत में रामकथा, दुल्हन ने शादी के संगीत समारोह के 50 हजार रुपए दिए आर्मी के लिए|date=29 November 2017|website=Dainik Bhaskar|language=hi|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref> He announced an aid of ₹1 lakh to the family of each [[Central Reserve Police Force]] personnel killed in the [[2019 Pulwama attack]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/india/morari-bapu-will-help-families-of-deceased-crpf-men-in-pulwama-attack-1995557|title=पुलवामा हमले में शहीद परिवारों की मदद को मोरारी बापू ने बढ़ाया हाथ, देंगे 1-1 लाख रुपये की मदद|website=NDTVIndia|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hindi.timesnownews.com/india/article/pulwama-attack-morari-bapu-will-give-financial-assistance-of-1-lakh-rupees-to-per-crpf-martyr-family-jammu-kashmir/367149|title=पुलवामा में शहीद हुए जवानों के परिजनों की सहायता के लिए आगे आए मोरारी बापू, देंगे लाखों की आर्थिक मदद|website=hindi.timesnownews.com|language=hi|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref>

'''Katha for various social causes:'''

Bapu has been actively contributing to various possible social causes based upon the need of an hour. For Example:

* Bapu has done a katha for construction of public '''toilets''' in Bardoli in 2005.
* Ram katha has contributed around '''10 crore''' to '''Uttarakhand floods''' and re-construction of '''Kedarnath temple''' in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/uttarakhand/morari-bapu-contributes-rs-10-cr-for-uttarakhand-relief-kedarnath-temple_1485573.html|title=Morari Bapu contributes Rs 10 cr for Uttarakhand relief, Kedarnath temple|date=16 October 2014|website=Zee News|language=en|access-date=16 October 2014}}</ref> He went to Uttarakhand himself and donated the cheques to victims.
* Bapu also performed a recital of Ram Katha in Jaipur, Rajasthan for '''drought''' that stuck in 2003 and contributed for the droughts.
*He also done katha for an absolutely '''cost''' - '''free hospital''' - Sree LalluBhai Arogya Mandir at Savar Kundla, Gujarat in 2017. The amount raised by devotees has been submitted to the trust directly during this katha. This organization now does not accept any expenses from the patients.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shreevidhyaguru.in/}}</ref>
* Bapu initiated the idea during the katha discourse itself and got '''95''' couples married on 8th day of Ramkatha in '''Prayagraj''', Uttar Pradesh in March 2020. Apart from this, He arranges for "Samuh Lagna" (an occasion where multiple marriages take place together) every year for the needy at SenjalDham,Gujarat.
*Bapu has also supported '''Akshaya Patra Foundation''' and conducted Ram Katha in Kolkatta in 2012. In this katha '''4 Crores''' have been raised by Bapu and his devotees. On the last day of Ram Katha, The Chair Person Chanchala Pati Das Ji mentioned that "It was agreat honour about 2 years back when pujya shri Morari Bapu visited our Akshay Patra Kitchen in Shri Dham Vrindavan, we were operating from a smaller kitchen. Subsequent to his visit and this Program(Ramkatha), we have set up a large kitchen and we're feeding '''1 lakh 75 thousand children all over Mathura district'''. This has been the '''largest kitchen''' of Akshay Patra and this has been possible because of Bapu and his devotees" <ref>{{Citation|title=Morari Bapu Manas Vivek Day 9 Vice Chairman Of Akshaya Patra & Ravi Chamaria- Scholarship|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYjKkbrlNaQ|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=An Evening with Pujya Morari Bapu - Akshaya Patra Foundation at Alfred Lerner Hall - Columbia University, New York, NY {{!}} Indian Event|url=http://events.sulekha.com/an-evening-with-pujya-morari-bapu-akshaya-patra-foundation_event-in_new-york-ny_276963|website=events.sulekha.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Morari Bapu Talks About Giving In Support of The Akshaya Patra Foundation|url=https://tapf.org.uk/events/morari-bapu-talks-about-giving-in-support-of-the-akshaya-patra-foundation|website=tapf.org.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
*A Katha has been conducted to '''fight for Cancer''' and money raised has been donated to Gujarat Cancer Society in December 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Morari Bapu's katha to fight cancer {{!}} Ahmedabad News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Morari-Bapus-katha-to-fight-cancer/articleshow/17486212.cms|last1=Dec 5|first1=TNN {{!}} Updated|last2=2012|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28|last3=Ist|first3=05:44}}</ref>(Approx '''3 Crores''' donated) A
*Again in 2018, Bapu conducted a katha to fight for Cancer Patients and the treatments offered by '''Nargis Dutt Foundation''' in Churchgate,Mumbai(Approx '''6 crores''' donated)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Priya Dutt|url=https://www.facebook.com/priyadutt/posts/2078919962149826|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>
*In 2015, Bapu conducted a 9-day katha for '''Kidney patients''' conducted by Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKRDC) and Dr H L Trivedi Institute of Transplantation Sciences (ITS) at Sabarmati, Gujarat. This katha donated '''5 crores''' to these institutes. This is one of the '''first ever''' spiritual programs for kidney patients.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Morari Bapu's kidney katha {{!}} Ahmedabad News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Morari-Bapus-kidney-katha/articleshow/45623656.cms|last1=Dec 24|first1=TNN {{!}}|last2=2014|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28|last3=Ist|first3=03:09}}</ref>
*"Beti Bachao" abhiyaan ('''Save Girl Child''') conducted by SRK Foundation through Ram Katha in Surat in February 2015.
* <ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Ex-MLA 'charges'' at preacher Morari Bapu over Krishna remarks|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/exmla-charges-at-preacher-morari-bapu-over-krishna-remarks/1870290|access-date=2021-01-02|website=www.outlookindia.com/}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

*[http://chitrakutdhamtalgajarda.org/ Official website]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bapu, Morari}}
[[Category:Bhakti movement]]
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Indian Hindu spiritual teachers]]
[[Category:Indian storytellers]]

Morari Bapu - Revision history

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