The spiritual mentor Morari Bapu is currently in America and is conducting Ramkatha at the prestigious Harvard University in New York. This narrative will begin on August 15th at Harvard's Sanders Theatre and will last for nine days, concluding on August 23rd. Three-day academic discussions are also scheduled from August 16th to 18th.
Morari Bapu noted that this event was organized in connection with the month of Sawan and the celebration of Tulsi's birthday. He emphasized that what the sadhu ignited was not knowledge, but the flame of love. It was stated that during this event, attention would be paid to the 'three dimensions'—truth, love, and compassion.
Professor Diana from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and the Harvard family suggested that Ram, Sita, and Lakshman can be viewed as 'primal pilgrims.' She recounted that the fourteen-year exile, which began in Ayodhya, passed through Prayag, Chitrakoot, Panchavati, and Kishkindha, reaching Rameshwaram.
According to Professor Diana, these places became sacred shrines during the journey, and pilgrims have followed their footsteps ever since. She also noted that this journey formed the basis of the Ramlila tradition, which has spread beyond India to Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
D. Popat, a member of the British House of Lords, stated that Harvard's motto 'Veritas,' meaning truth, aligns with the values of 'truth, love, and compassion.' This makes holding the event at Harvard even more significant. The anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas's birth was also observed during the Ramkatha at Harvard on August 19th.
Morari Bapu began the events for Tulsi's birthday in 2010, aiming to preserve the tradition of Ramkatha and 'Ramcharitmanas.' P. Popat OBE, a member of the Ramkatha organizing team, reported that this event unites one of the world's oldest reading traditions with one of the world's largest educational centers.
He added that Morari Bapu has previously conducted Ramkatha in Kailash Mansarovar, the Vatican, the United Nations, and Cambridge. The presence of sadhus and scholars from Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, and Varanasi at Harvard holds special significance.