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Indian Express
an hour ago
- General
- Indian Express
As Palkhi processions enter Pune, streets turn sanctuaries of devotion, hospitality
Written by Siddhi Patil, Pune witnessed a timeless spectacle of faith and surrender on Friday, as lakhs of Warkaris walk into the city from different corners of Maharashtra, lost in the rhythm of 'Mauli Mauli!' and completely immersed in devotion to Lord Vitthal. Their arrival is not just a procession, but a moving pilgrimage of love, discipline, and surrender that transforms the city into a living, breathing prayer. Rain or shine, food or no food, bed or bare ground nothing stops the Warkari, who trusts completely in the path and in Vitthal's grace. 'We don't worry about anything. Vitthal takes care of us,' says Bhaskar Maharaj Jadhav, a 74-year-old Warkari from Jalgaon, his voice cracking with age but steady with faith. He has walked in the Wari for over 25 years. 'We are not homeless. The sky is our roof, and this road is our temple.' As they enter Pune, the city greets them not as guests but as returning family. From Dehu and Alandi, from Nashik to Nanded, processions carry the padukas (symbolic sandals) of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, accompanied by dhols, veenas, chants, and tears. But while the Warkaris bring their unshakable faith, Punekars bring their unmatched hospitality. At a small pandal near Dagduseth Temple, Geeta, a housewife from Dhayari, stirs a massive pot of khichdi with her daughter and son. 'We come every year as a family to serve food to Mauli's people,' she says, her face glowing with pride. 'This is our offering. We don't have much, but we cook with love. No one should go hungry.' She isn't alone. Across the city, from Sinhagad Road to Shivajinagar, locals open their homes, shops, and hearts offering bananas, tea, medicines, even slippers to the pilgrims who have walked for days. For some, this year's Wari is their first. Shraddha and Prathamesh, young siblings from Solapur, are here to experience the Wari with their grandparents. 'We always saw it on TV, but this year we decided to walk. We wanted to feel it, live it, and understand what draws millions to Vitthal.' There is a different energy in the air. Alandi Palkhi, expected to arrive this evening, is being awaited with bated breath. Streets are being swept, rangolis drawn, and bhajans echo through the night. 'We keep looking at the road, waiting for the first dhol to hit,' says Sudarshan, a teenager from Fergusson College Road, who bunked lectures just to see the procession. 'It gives me goosebumps. It's not just tradition, it's emotion.' In a world obsessed with speed, the Warkari walk reminds us of stillness. In a time of consumption, they teach us contentment. In an age of anxiety, their surrender is a revolution. As night falls and Pune fills with the scent of tulsi, wet soil, and steaming bhakris, one truth becomes clear,when the Warkaris come, they bring Vitthal with them. Sairam Kamble, a 70-year-old farmer from Washim, has been part of the procession for over a decade. 'I am an old man now. I have a wife who is happy and healthy, children who are settled in their lives, and a flourishing farm. A decade ago, I decided to take the spiritual path and visit my Mauli every year,' he says with quiet contentment. Ten-year-old Kartik, also from Washim, joins the journey with his family. 'I come here because it's fun, and all my friends and family are with me. We walked from Washim to Pune and now will walk till Pandharpur. We return by bus, so I don't miss school exams,' he says cheerfully. Forty-year-old Sheela Jagdale is a widow and also a daily wage worker. She says, 'After my husband died, I had nothing left to look forward to. I joined the Wari with others from my village, and in this crowd, I found hope again. People hear my story and help without expecting anything in return. That's what spirituality does,' Rohini Patil, a 50-year-old entrepreneur from Pune, walks with the Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi every year from Pune to Saswad. 'I began walking here 5 years ago out of a curiosity that I had as a child. But over the years, I discovered the beauty of humanity here. No one asks about your caste, language, or status. We all walk with one identity: as devotees of Mauli. Even though my health isn't perfect, I keep walking for the kindness and the spiritual energy that fills the air,' she says. In an initiative blending spirituality with healthcare, a free health check-up camp under the Arogyawari programme was inaugurated on Friday at Ranade Institute, Pune. This initiative, jointly organised by Samarth Yuva Foundation and the Guardian Minister of Sangli District, Namdar Chandrakant (Dada) Patil, was dedicated to providing essential medical care to Warkari Mata Maulis walking in the annual Pandharpur Wari. The event was inaugurated at the auspicious hands of Chandrakant Patil, Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Maharashtra State. He emphasised the spiritual and social importance of this service, stating, 'Serving the Warkari community is akin to receiving blessings from the divine. Women go through many life stages and it's crucial to care for their health with priority.' Rajesh Pandey, president of Samarth Yuva Foundation, says that 'last year, the Arogyawari mobile healthcare bus served for 18 days and helped nearly 1,29,000 pilgrims.' He reaffirms the foundation's commitment to health and social welfare, especially for women walking the arduous journey from Alandi and Dehu to Pandharpur. Health services at the Aarogyawari include breast and oral cancer screening, blood pressure and sugar testing, cholesterol check, eye and dental examinations, blood tests and screening of blood components and general health check-ups. Special mention was made by Bageshree Manthalkar, independent director, Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited, who stated that a tie-up with Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital ensures that pilgrims found with health issues during screening can access further treatment without delay. Sanjay Kulkarni also urged women not to ignore health issues due to fear or hesitation, highlighting the importance of timely medical attention. 'We walk for devotion, but this health camp reminds us that our bodies, too, need care. It's the first time I've done a check-up in years, I feel seen and cared for,' said Vimalbai Shinde, a 72-year-old Warkari from Beed district, with tears of gratitude in her eyes. The initiative under the motto 'Sashakt Yuva, Samarth Bharat' once again proves that meaningful social service can walk hand-in-hand with religious devotion, offering care, compassion, and commitment to those who need it the most.
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Indian Express
Palkhi procession: Entry on top side of Pune's Dive Ghat banned on June 22
As the annual Palkhi processions are set to enter Pune city limits on Friday, June 20, the city police have banned the entry of people and Warkaris, the devotees of Lord Vittal, on the top side of Dive Ghat Mountain on June 22, to prevent any accidents. Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma on Thursday issued the order as heavy rain is expected in the region when the Palkhi processions would pass through Dive Ghat in Pune. The restriction will be in place from 12 am to 12 pm on June 22, it said. Lakhs of Warkaris will accompany the traditional Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi procession that will pass through the Pune-Solapur Road from Bhairoba Nala to Saswad via Dive Ghat on June 22. Parts of the Dive Ghat Mountain have been dug for road widening, making the Ghat section slippery, the police said. The police said it is not safe for people and the Warkaris to visit the mountain top as the work for widening four kilometers of Dive Ghat road is underway. The police said several people visit the top side of Dive Ghat Mountains for tourism, click photographs, and make reels. Palkhi procession is a major spiritual event in Maharashtra when Warkaris of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj accompany the palanquin carrying the Paduka (sacred footwear) of their revered saints head to Pandharpur in Solapur district on foot. The procession that starts from two points — Alandi and Dehu -– carrying the Paduka of their respective saints took its present grand form in the early 19th century. This year, the pilgrimage concludes on July 6, on Ashadhi Ekadashi.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
State to spend ₹25 crore on govt scheme publicity during Ashadhi Wari
MUMBAI: As the bugle for the upcoming local body elections is sounded — dates for which are yet to be officially announced — the Maharashtra government is set to spend over ₹21 crore on publicity for various schemes during the 21-day Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage from June 18 to July 8. The Wari, a 700-year-old annual pilgrimage of the Warkari sect, sees over 2.5 million devotees (Warkaris) walking nearly 240 km from Alandi and Dehu to the temple town of Pandharpur. The yatra culminates on Ashadhi Ekadashi, which falls on July 6 this year. This year, the state's publicity blitz during the Wari is pegged at ₹25.17 crore — a figure that notably exceeds the ₹12.82 crore allocated for essential sanitation services such as portable toilets for pilgrims. Tenders have been floated across departments to promote government initiatives during the yatra. The campaigns will use Chitraraths (decorated floats), street plays, mobile LED vans, exhibitions, and social media drives to communicate various schemes to the Warkaris. In contrast, the sanitation plan involves daily deployment of over 1,800 portable toilets to cater to the massive footfall. The toilet facilities alone cost: Dehu to Pandharpur route: ₹7.83 crore and Alandi to Pandharpur route: ₹4.99 crore. Vitthal Patil, president of the Warkari Sahitya Parishad, welcomed the state's efforts but raised a pointed concern, 'The facilities have been improving every year, which is commendable. However, while the government uses the Wari for heavy publicity, the real question is whether these schemes truly reach the people.' Brijesh Singh, director general, information and public relations, said, 'The information and education campaign is being implemented to reach out a natural assembly of lakhs of citizens from rural area. We take the opportunity to interact to the people, especially farmers on their issues and take the schemes meant for them to them in their own language. This has been happening for years and has nothing to do with the ensuing elections.' Break-up of the publicity budget: Employment guarantee scheme department: ₹9.39 crore Health department: ₹2 crore Disaster management cell: 3.48 crore Transport department: ₹21.93 lakh Special assistance department: ₹43.96 lakh Information and Public Relations (DGIPR): ₹5.36 crore for the 'Sanwad Wari' campaign Other departments: Undisclosed amounts
Indian Express
a day ago
- Climate
- Indian Express
Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi arrives in Pimpri-Chinchwad to a warm welcome
Amidst intermittent rain, the Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi procession arrived in Pimpri-Chinchwad around 5 pm on Thursday to a warm welcome from hundreds of people who had gathered at Bhakti Shakti Junction in Nigdi. The palkhi procession will take an overnight halt in Akurdi before leaving for Pandharpur on Friday morning. The Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi procession took off from Dehu on Wednesday. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was present when the palkhi commenced its annual prilgrimage. After a day's halt, it started its onward journey on Thursday. On the other hand, the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhi procession left the temple town of Alandi in the morning. It will stay put at Gandhi Wada Alandi and will leave for Pandharpur on Friday morning. Both the palkhis will first reach Pune city by Friday afternoon and will take a day's rest before moving for its onward journey. During their halt in Pune city, the Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi will be stationed at Nivdunga Vithal temple while the Sant Dyanewshwar Maharaj Palkhi will rest at Vithoba temple The Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi procession left Inamdar Wada in Dehu at its appointed hour of 10.30 am unmindful of the heavy drizzle. When the palkhi procession reached Nigdi Chowk, Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, MLA Mahesh Landge, MLC Uma Khapre, PCMC city engineer Makrand Nikam, additional commissioners Pradeep Jambhle Patil, Vijaykumar Kharote and several other officials were present. Like every year, the 'dindi' chiefs were felicitated by the PCMC administration. Both the palkhis will reach Pandharpur, the abode of Lord Vitthal on July 16, the Ashadhi Ekadashi day. Special focus on Palkhi procession With the Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram palkhi processions entering PCMC limits, civic teams are working in mission mode to ensure a smooth and safe passage for Warkaris, the PCMC administration said. Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh has directed all departments to ensure 'zero waterlogging' along the Palkhi route. A targeted cleanliness drive is underway, with special attention on stormwater chamber tops to avoid garbage-induced blockages. Emergency response units with mechanised equipment have been deployed at critical points across Bhosari, Dighi, and Nigdi, the civic administration said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Pandharpur Wari Palkhi 2025: Dates, Route, Rituals and Spiritual Significance Revealed
Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi begins wari from Dehu to Pandharpur Every year, thousands of devotees from across Maharashtra in India and beyond embark on a spiritual journey which is unlike any other. Called the Pandharpur Wari, it is a centuries-old pilgrimage in honour of Lord Vitthal, who is a revered form of Lord Vishnu. This deeply spiritual tradition is not just a walk— it is an emotion for many devotees with a deep cultural and devotional meaning. The Wari begins from the towns of Dehu and Alandi, that are homes of two legendary saints— Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, respectively. The pilgrimage culminates in the sacred town of Pandharpur, on the auspicious day of Ashadhi Ekadashi; which falls on July 6 this year. What is Pandharpur Wari? Pandharpur Wari is a grand procession of faith, where Warkaris (i.e. devotees) walk for nearly 20 days, covering over 250 kilometres on foot. Along the way, they sing abhangas (devotional songs), perform kirtans, and immerse themselves in spiritual reflection. Here are more details about this unique celebration in Maharastra: Two prominent Palkhi (palanquin) processions lead the way: - Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi from Dehu - and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi from Alandi Each procession carries the padukas (or sacred sandals) of the saints, symbolising their eternal spiritual presence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi 2025 route and schedule for 2025 The Palkhi leaves from Dehu on June 18, 2025, and arrives in Pandharpur on July 5, a day before Ashadhi Ekadashi. Major Route Highlights: June 18: Departure from Dehu – ceremonial send-off June 20: Pune June 27: Akluj July 1–4: Final stretch begins, rest and spiritual preparation July 5: Grand entry into Pandharpur July 6: Ashadhi Ekadashi – the much-awaited darshan of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini Along the way, towns offer community meals, medical camps, devotional programs, and more— showcasing a beautiful blend of tradition and hospitality. Spiritual significance of Sant Tukaram Maharaj's Palkhi Sant Tukaram's teachings centered on bhakti (devotion), equality, and love for all beings. His abhangas (teachings) still echo across Maharashtra, inspiring people to live a life of humility and devotion, free from caste or social divisions. Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi 2025 route and schedule This Palkhi departs from Alandi on June 19, 2025, reaching Pandharpur on July 5, alongside Tukaram Maharaj's procession. Key Milestones: June 20: Pune – vibrant devotional celebrations June 24: Jejuri June 30: Natepute July 4: Wakhari – final halt before reaching Pandharpur Spiritual importance of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj's Palkhi Sant Dnyaneshwar, a 13th-century saint and philosopher, is known for his 'Dnyaneshwari', a Marathi commentary on the sacred Hindu text- the Bhagavad Gita. His legacy celebrates spiritual knowledge, self-realisation, and oneness with the divine. Walking with his padukas symbolises a seeker's journey toward wisdom and inner peace. The soul of Wari More than a religious event, Pandharpur Wari is a living embodiment of unity, devotion, and cultural pride. Rich and poor, young and old, men and women— all walk together, chanting "Vitthal Vitthal!" with unmatched energy. There's no distinction—only shared devotion, simplicity, and service. In an increasingly fast-paced world, Wari offers a chance to slow down, reflect, and reconnect— with faith, community, and oneself. Whether you walk a mile or watch from the sidelines, the spirit of Wari touches every heart it encounters. Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3 One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
