Cambridge, Massachusetts:Tulsi Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas, was celebrated outside India for the first time on Wednesday at Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, in the United States. The event formed part of Pujya Morari Bapu’s nine-day Ram Katha, ‘Manas Guru Prasad’.
The historic celebration also marked the first time the Tulsi, Vyas, Valmiki and Ratnavali Awards were presented outside India. Organisers have presented these awards annually in Talgajarda, Gujarat, since 2010.
Morari Bapu started the Tulsi Jayanti tradition 16 years ago. The initiative honours scholars, saints, storytellers and cultural contributors. They have made significant contributions to preserving, interpreting and promoting the literary and spiritual legacy of Goswami Tulsidas, the Ramcharitmanas and the Ram Katha tradition.
Tulsi Janmotsav and Global Awards Ceremony at Harvard
The Tulsi Janmotsav and Global Awards Ceremony, held on 19 August 2026, honoured nine distinguished scholars, spiritual leaders and cultural contributors with eight prestigious awards. Saints, academics, scholars, storytellers, musicians, artists and members of the academic community attended the ceremony.
The Valmiki Award was jointly presented to Prof. Sally J. Sutherland Goldman and Prof. Robert Goldman of the University of California, Berkeley. Prof. Madoka Fukuoka of Osaka University also received the Valmiki Award.
The Vyas Award was presented to Columbia University’s Prof. John Stratton Hawley, US-based scholar Dr. Ashwin Bhai Kantilal Rajgor and renowned Indian spiritual speaker Devi Chitralekha.
The Tulsi Award was presented to Prof. Rupert Snell of the University of Texas at Austin and community leader Piyush Bhai Mehta. Harvard University’s Prof. Diana L. Eck received the Ratnavali Award for her contribution to comparative religion and Indian studies. Her contribution also played an important role in making the historic event at Harvard possible.
Harvard Event Highlights Global Relevance of Ramcharitmanas
The diverse backgrounds of the award recipients reflect growing global interest in India’s classical literature and spiritual traditions. The Tulsi Jayanti celebration at Harvard highlighted the global relevance of the Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas. It also connected India’s literary heritage with an international academic and cultural audience.
Speaking at the event, Morari Bapu said, “Patram Pushpam Phalam — when we offer something at the feet of the Divine, He created the flowers we offer. He gave the leaves to the branches and produced the fruits. Yet, we take these very things and offer them back to Him. I am presenting the thoughts of my heart.”
Bapu also expressed happiness at honouring distinguished personalities associated with India’s Vyas Peeths and the Ram Katha tradition. He thanked the award recipients and said he could understand their response not only through their words, but also through their eyes and emotions.
‘The Message of Truth, Love and Compassion Is Universal’
Pavan Popat OBE, the main organiser of the Ram Katha, said Morari Bapu’s message of truth, love and compassion has universal appeal. He said the values of acceptance, joy and love transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
He added that bringing Tulsi Janmotsav and its prestigious awards to Harvard is a natural extension of this global journey. According to him, the event is taking the timeless wisdom of the Ramcharitmanas to international audiences. He said interest in its values and ideals is growing worldwide.
Tulsi Jayanti Award Tradition Continues Since 2010
Morari Bapu launched the Tulsi Jayanti programme in 2010 to honour individuals who have dedicated their lives to preserving, interpreting and promoting the tradition of Ram Katha and Ramcharitmanas.
Since then, Talgajarda in Gujarat has hosted the annual Tulsi Janmotsav, bringing together saints, scholars, storytellers and other distinguished contributors. In 2026, the tradition reached the United States for the first time, giving Tulsi Janmotsav a global platform at Harvard University.
Morari Bapu Has Taken Ram Katha Across the World
Morari Bapu is a renowned interpreter of the Ramayana. For nearly six decades, he has delivered Ram Katha across the world. His narratives centre on sacred texts. They also draw from different religious and spiritual traditions to promote peace, truth, love and compassion. People from diverse faiths and communities are welcome to participate in his Ram Katha.
Bapu began reciting the Ramcharitmanas at the age of 14. He first narrated the story before three villagers. Since then, his journey has taken Ram Katha across India and to countries including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, South Africa, Kenya, the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, Australia, Israel and Japan.
Morari Bapu has also organised Ram Katha programmes for various sections of society. These include marginalised communities, sex workers and transgender communities. He has supported relief and assistance efforts in disaster-affected areas in India and abroad, including war-affected Ukraine.
The first international celebration of Tulsi Jayanti at Harvard University marks a significant step in taking Goswami Tulsidas’ literary, spiritual and cultural legacy to a wider global audience. The event brought the timeless teachings, poetry and spiritual reflections of the Ramcharitmanas to an international audience. It also preserved the essence of the centuries-old tradition.
