Pimpri-Chinchwad stands still as warkaris flock into the industrial city

After warkaris had their breakfast, the procession left for Dapodi located on the border of the PCMC jurisdiction. The palkhi reached Dapodi at around 11 am, where the pilgrims ate lunch and the procession then left for Pune City at around 1.30 pm.

In the better part of Pimpri-Chinchwad, a festive atmosphere prevailed throughout the morning and lasted till the afternoon. The Pune-Mumbai highway was shut to vehicular traffic.

Citizens, activists, and volunteers distributed water bottles, fruits, snacks, biscuits and tea to warkaris. The warkaris also seemed to enjoy the camaraderie as they happily joined young citizens who clicked selfies and made videos on their cell phones. Women, schoolchildren, and college-goers were right at the front of the crowd. Some even landed up in their school uniforms.

“I stay in the Pimple Gurav area. The palkhi procession does not pass through our area. Therefore, every year, I come to the highway to have a darshan of the palkhi procession and get a feel of the environment here…” said Madhuri Lavate, a teacher.

Aditya, a youngster from Pimple Saudagar, said: “I do not remember that I have ever missed the palkhi from my childhood days. Every year, I make it a point to walk a few kilometres with the palkhi.”

If citizens spared no effort to be a part of the palkhi procession, voluntary organisations were not to be left behind. A group of youngsters was seen distributing mineral water bottles among the warkaris.

Residents in Kasarwadi area organised a special breakfast for the warkaris. “All our society members pooled in money to organise the meal for the warkaris. We have been doing this for the past few years. Around 400 warkaris enjoyed the meal and gave us their blessings. It was our small contribution to the warkaris who present a unique example of unity,” said Jeetendra Shah, a resident of Goyal Residency in Kasarwadi. In Dapodi, local temple trustees and volunteers made arrangements for the afternoon meal for warkaris.

Lahoo Landge, a local, who lent his helping hand to the old and ailing warkaris, said: “People throng the highway not only to get a darshan of the Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi, but also to extend their best possible help to the warkaris. Many citizens bring all kinds of eatables for the warkaris. Societies and organisations also provide breakfast and lunch to warkaris all along the highway.”

Meanwhile, the civic body ensured that the palkhi passed without any hiccups through PCMC limits. The PCMC deployed 20 water tankers, mobile clinics, and several medical teams all along the highway. The PCMC had also made arrangements for restrooms in Dapodi and Phugewadi areas for the warkaris.

“Except providing food, we made all arrangements like drinking water, mobile clinics, mobile toilets, restrooms and also deployed several teams of doctors and other medical staff,” said Deputy Municipal Commissioner Ravikiran Ghodke.

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PCMC spokesperson Kiran Gaikwad said, “We have provided eight water tankers that will move along with the palkhi right up to Pandharpur. Besides, we have also deployed a fire brigade vehicle which will accompany the palkhi right up to Pandharpur. The water tankers have been provided with three spots on the way where they can fill up water.”