Nana Dharmadhikari

The primary mission of his movement was to encourage rationality and eradicate superstition through the elimination of orthodox customs and traditions prevalent among some sections of Indian society.

He was an active proponent of the philosophy of the 17th-century Indian saint Samarth Ramdas, who wrote philosophical texts such as Dasbodh, Manache Shlok, and Atmaram.

Around 350 years ago, his ancestors were awarded the title of Dharmadhikari (authority on Dharma) by the 17th-century Maratha naval chief Kanhoji Angre.

After several years of spiritual research and inquiry, he started a unique social reformation movement on 8 October 1943, also the occasion of Vijayadashami or Dussehra.

Currently, lecture programs known as Shri Baithak (श्रीबैठक))[6][7] take place in multiple countries around the world including the UAE, Britain, Singapore, Australia, Nigeria and Iran among others.

Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari receiving the Raigad Mitra Award, 13 May 1993
Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari receiving the Samaj Bhushan Award, 1 March 2002
Appasaheb Dharmadhikari receiving the posthumous Maharashtra Bhushan Award on 25 November 2008 on behalf of his father, Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari