Pune Airport To Be Named After Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj

Pune: The Maharashtra government on Monday approved a proposal to rename Pune Airport after the revered 17th-century saint and poet, Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj.  The decision was taken at a state cabinet meeting, an official said. 

The state cabinet approved the proposal by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, who hails from Pune, for renaming the airport.  Taking to X), Mohol thanked the ruling Mahayuti alliance government of the BJP , Chief Minister Eknath Shinde 's Shiv Sena and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar -led Nationalist Congress Party.

"Thank you, Mahayuti government! Thank you, Devendraji! The first step towards naming of the international airport in Pune as 'Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport' has been taken today and the proposal given by me has been approved at a cabinet meeting. It will now be sent to the central government for further processing,” Mohol posted on X.

For the unversed, the proposal now awaits final approval from the Union government before the official name change takes effect.

Who Was Sant Tukaram? 

Sant Tukaram is a prominent figure in Maharashtra ’s cultural and religious history. A revered saint and poet from Maharashtra , Tukaram is best known for his devotional abhangas (poems) dedicated to Lord Vithoba (a form of Krishna). 

He played a vital role in the Bhakti movement, promoting the values of love, devotion, and social equality.

His teachings emphasized direct devotion to God and critiqued the rigidities of ritualistic practices. Tukaram's legacy continues to inspire millions, and he is celebrated for his deep spirituality and profound insights into life and devotion.