Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University hosted its first-ever Tulsi Jayanti celebration outside India on Wednesday at Sanders Theatre, commemorating the birth anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas. The celebration took place as part of Pujya Morari Bapu’s nine-day Ram Katha, Manas Guru Prasad.
For the first time, organisers also presented the Tulsi, Vyas, Valmiki and Ratnavali Awards outside India. They have conferred these awards every year in Talgajarda, Gujarat, since 2010.
Morari Bapu began the Tulsi Jayanti tradition 16 years ago with the aim of recognising scholars, saints, storytellers and cultural contributors. The initiative celebrates those who work to preserve, interpret and promote the literary and spiritual heritage of Goswami Tulsidas, the Ramcharitmanas and the Ram Katha tradition.
Harvard Hosts Tulsi Janmotsav and Global Awards Ceremony
Harvard University hosted the Tulsi Janmotsav and Global Awards Ceremony on 19 August 2026. Organisers honoured nine eminent scholars, spiritual leaders and cultural contributors with eight prestigious awards. Saints, academics, storytellers, musicians, artists and members of the wider academic community attended the event.
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 honour.
The Vyas Award recognised Prof. John Stratton Hawley of Columbia University, US-based scholar Dr. Ashwin Bhai Kantilal Rajgor and noted Indian spiritual speaker Devi Chitralekha.
Prof. Rupert Snell of the University of Texas at Austin and community leader Piyush Bhai Mehta received the Tulsi Award. Harvard University’s Prof. Diana L. Eck received the Ratnavali Award for her work in comparative religion and Indian studies. Her contribution also helped bring the landmark celebration to Harvard.
Tulsi Jayanti at Harvard Showcases Global Appeal of Ramcharitmanas
The diverse backgrounds of the award recipients reflected growing global appreciation for India’s classical literature and spiritual traditions. The Tulsi Jayanti celebration at Harvard highlighted the global significance of the Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas. It also connected India’s literary heritage with the international academic and cultural community.
Addressing the gathering, 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 spoke about the honour of recognising distinguished figures linked to India’s Vyas Peeths and the Ram Katha tradition. He expressed gratitude to the award recipients and said their eyes and emotions conveyed feelings that went beyond their spoken words.
‘Truth, Love and Compassion Transcend Borders’
Pavan Popat OBE, who organised the Ram Katha, said Morari Bapu’s teachings on truth, love and compassion have a universal message. He noted that values such as acceptance, joy and love connect people across geographical, cultural and social boundaries.
He described bringing Tulsi Janmotsav and its prestigious awards to Harvard as a natural step in this global journey. According to Popat, the event takes the timeless teachings of the Ramcharitmanas to audiences worldwide. It also reflects growing global interest in its values and ideals.
Tulsi Jayanti Tradition Takes Global Stage
Morari Bapu established the Tulsi Jayanti programme in 2010 to recognise individuals who have contributed to the preservation, interpretation and promotion of the Ram Katha and Ramcharitmanas traditions.
For years, Talgajarda in Gujarat has hosted the annual Tulsi Janmotsav, attracting saints, scholars, storytellers and cultural contributors. In 2026, the celebration made its international debut in the United States, as Harvard University hosted Tulsi Janmotsav for the first time, taking the long-standing tradition to a global audience.
Morari Bapu Takes the Ram Katha Tradition to a Global Audience
For nearly six decades, Morari Bapu has carried the Ram Katha tradition to audiences across India and around the world. A respected Ramayana narrator, he draws inspiration from sacred scriptures and diverse spiritual traditions to share messages of truth, peace, love and compassion. His Ram Katha welcomes people from different faiths and communities.
Bapu began his journey with the Ramcharitmanas at just 14 years of age, when he narrated the story to three villagers. Over the years, his Ram Katha has reached countries such as Sri Lanka, Indonesia, South Africa, Kenya, the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, Australia, Israel and Japan.
Beyond traditional audiences, Bapu has organised Ram Katha programmes for marginalised communities, sex workers and transgender communities. He has also contributed to relief and assistance initiatives following disasters in India and other countries, including Ukraine amid the war.
The historic Tulsi Jayanti celebration at Harvard represents another milestone in this global journey. By bringing the literary, spiritual and cultural legacy of Goswami Tulsidas to an international academic and cultural setting, the event introduced a wider audience to the enduring teachings, poetry and spiritual insights of the Ramcharitmanas while preserving the spirit of its centuries-old tradition.
