Over 3 lakh devotees of Lord Vitthal start march on foot to Pandharpur

By: Aditya Waikul
PUNE: The town’s preparation for a large-scale celebration is evident much before one reaches Alandi, about 25km from Pune.


Dressed in their traditional white dhoti kurta and nine-yard saris, devotees, young and old, have reached Alandi carrying along only a bagful of their meagre belongings and a small musical instrument, tulsi sapling or an idol of Lord Vitthal.

More than three lakh pilgrims started the annual Pandharpur Yatra on foot, from the holy town of Alandi on Friday. The annual pilgrimage is undertaken every year by lakhs of people from across the state. The pilgrimage is believed to be started by Sant Dyaneshwar more than 700 years ago and proceeds towards the Lord Vitthal temple in Pandharpur.

During the journey, pilgrims fondly call each other Mauli. As part of the ritual, the pilgrims carry Sant Dnyaneshwar’s paduka, or footprints, in a palanquin. The wari takes the same route that is believed to have been taken by Sant Dyaneshwar. Pilgrims even stay at the same places and villages where the revered saint took halts during his wari to Pandharpur. Wari, as the pilgrimage is called, brings together people from all walks of life, irrespective of their caste, creed or socio-economic status.

The gathering of warkaris in Alandi started almost a week ago. The entire route leading to the main temple reverberates with the chants of ‘mauli mauli’.

Chaitanya Chate (12) started participating in the wari four years ago. “It gives me immense happiness that can’t be described in words. I love the atmosphere, the walk with the dindis with lakhs of warkaris and then reaching Pandharpur and taking a dip in the Chandrabhaga river. It is overwhelming,” he said.

Another pilgrim, who is on his 55th wari, elaborated on the importance of walking through the route. “Wari is an 18-day walk to Pandharpur. To me, even the journey matters not just reaching the destination. That’s why warkaris brave the sun and rain to undertake the long and difficult journey,” he shared.