Pandharpur Wari

The Wari is undertaken in honour of the god Vithoba.

Pandharpur Wari or Wari (Vari) is an annual pilgrimage (yatra) to Pandharpur - the seat of the Hindu god Vithoba in the Indian state of Maharashtra, in honour of the deity. palakhis (palanquin processions) carrying the paduka (foot prints) of various saints - most notably Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram - from the Varkari (Warkari, "one who performs the Wari") sect (which venerates Vithoba), are taken from their respective shrines to Pandharpur. The tradition is more than 700 to 800 years old.[1][2][3] Dnyaneshwar's palakhi leaves from Alandi, while Tukaram's begins at Dehu; both in Pune district of Maharashtra. This largest religious Padayatra ("pilgrimage by foot") consists of over 1 million pilgrims travelling for 21 days to the Vithoba temple, Pandharpur by foot. Numerous palakhis join the main palkhi that starts from the Dehu palakhi. The wari culminates at the Vithoba temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi.[4] Devotees from Maharashtra and nearby areas set out for Pandharpur, wearing holy basil beads and singing the glories of Vithoba and songs like "Gyanba Tukaram", commemorating the saints.[5] Upon reaching Pandharpur on Ashadi Ekadashi, these devotees take a holy dip in the sacred Chadrabhaga River before proceeding to take Darshan (see) Vithoba's central icon in the main temple.

History

There are various views on the origins of the Wari. According to one theory, Vitthalpant, the father of the Varkari saint Dnyaneshwar began the Wari to visit Pandharpur in the month of Ashadha and Kartik. The Wari is generally regarded to exist for more than 800 years.

Another theory credits Dnyaneshwar and the saint Tukaram to have started the pilgrimage. They used to journey to Pandharpur by foot for fifteen days, reaching Pandharpur's Vithoba temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi.

Details

Tukaram Maharaj palkhi (palanquin)

The Varkaris - whose patron deity is Vithoba - undertake the annual pilgrimage (Wari) to Pandharpur, reaching there on Ashadhi Ekadashi, the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadha (June - July). Pilgrims carry palanquins of the saints from their samadhi shrines.[6][7] This is said to be the World's largest and oldest people movement where people gather on a specific day every year and perform a walk of a distance of around 250 km.

The Wari begins on the 8th/9th lunar day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha and reaches a day before Ashadhi Ekadashi at Pandharpur. People from various castes and socio-economic backgrounds participate in the Wari, with the common goal to reach Pandharpur.

Along with the Dindi (palakhi) procession, service (seva) to the poor and needy, like Amrut Kalash (annadana - donation of food), Narayan seva, medical help and building and repairing of rural infrastructure, is done. This is known as Seva dindi.

Participation in Ashadi Dindi and Seva Dindi helps an individual in many ways by bringing good health, peace & prosperity in his life. Chanting the continuous glory of the God in the Ashadi Dindi procession and Seva Dindi purifies an individual, there is an inner cleansing that takes place in Mind, Body and Spirit and the participants tend to lose their individual identities and experience bliss. It develops all aspects of human personality and helps us understand the true purpose of Life.[8]

Dnyaneshwar's palkhi (palanquin), holding the footwear of the saint, is carried with honour in a silver bullock cart from Alandi to Pandharpur.

There are two routes on which Wari performs. Dehu - Pandharpur and other Alandi - Pandharpur.

Dehu-Pandharpur route

The pilgrims known as "warkaris" starts the main pilgrimage from Dehu in Pune district on foot, carrying the palkhi (palanquin) of Saint Tukaram, a renowned devotee of Lord Vitthala, a form of lord Vishnu. It is known as Sant Tukaram’s Palkhi procession. It starts from Dehu & reaches Pandharpur via Aakurdi, Lonikalbhor, Yavat, Varvand, Baramati, Indapur, Akluj & Wakhri respectively.

Alandi-Pandharpur route

The pilgrims starts from Alandi in Pune district on foot, carrying the palkhi (palanquin) of Sant Dnyaneshwar’s Palkhi and reaches Pandharpur via Pune, Saswad, Jejuri, Lonand, Taradgaon, Phaltan, Natepute, Malshiras, Velapur, Shegaon & Wakhri to Pandharpur.

Both the palkhis meet at Pune, then at Wakhari and then further meet just before Pandharpur.

Besides these, two more Waris viz the Chaitra (or spring - first lunar month) and Maghi (eleventh month of the Hindu lunar calendar) Ekadashis are also deemed to be important. The later two are particularly attended by devotees from neighbouring Karnataka.[9]

Management in Wari

The whole is divided into a sub groups called as Dindi. There are more than 200 Dindi on each route. Each dindi comprises a members between 100 to 500 depending on the size. The palkhi is at the centre of Wari and around half number of Dindi are ahead of palkhi and similar numbers are behind. All Dindi are assigned the numbers and the sequence is strictly followed. The numbers are mentioned as follows: e.g. 5th Dindi ahead of palkhi. There are many unregistered dindi also who joins Wari which walks either extreme ahead or extreme back of Wari.

Tukaram Maharaj palkhi (palanquin) Rath

The timetable of Wari route is published well in advance and is strictly followed. It is well defined and minute details are made available including starting location, the location of breaks including lunch, rest, night stay location. Every morning, early dawn, after worshiping the Sanits footwear, the palkhi sets out at 6am. A Tutari (wind instrument) is blown thrice to alert all Warkaris. At the first signal, all Warkaris get ready to leave. At the second signal, the dindis stand in the queue as per designated sequence and at the third signal, they starts walking. After 4 to 5 km, they take a quick break for breakfast. They break for lunch as per the given schedule.[10]

Every dindi has one truck or a similar vehicle where the luggage and food material is kept. This is used at the night stay location everyday. The Warkari just carry the emergency material, Tal, Abhang book etc. during walk. The management ensures that the tents are set up and the food is prepared before the respective dindi arrives at the location. The dindis also decide the sequence in which the Abhang to be sung. Most of the dindi members know all the abhang but the new comers carry the small book while walking. At any point of time, only one Abhnag is sung in while dindi. The varkari who adorns the garland of Tulsi is called as Malkari. The person who carries Veen in the entire journey is called the Veenekari. These persons have a special status in the dindi and whole management is driven by them. Any dispute during travel between the dindis are been resolved by then at the stay.

From last few years, the additions of doctors have improved the medical facilities in the Wari. The doctors do take care of the members who have got infected or become weak during travel due to walking. There are few professional doctors who close their city practice devote their 21 days in the wari and take of the dindi people every year.

The stay arrangements of each dindi are well defined and planned at every location. Most of the dindis make stay in the temples available in village or in the tents.

Alandi - Padharpur Palkhi Schedule

Day Tithi Starting Location First Break Lunch Break Post lunch Break Night Stay
1Jeshtha Vadya 8-- -- -- Alandi
2Jeshtha Vadya 9Alandi 1 Thorlya Paduka Aarti, 2 Bhosari Phata Phule nagar Sangamwadi Palkhi Vithoba Mandir, Pune
3Jeshtha Vadya 10-- -- -- -- Palkhi Vithoba Mandir, Pune
4Jeshtha Vadya 11Pune Shindechatri Aarti Hadapsar 1. Uruli Devachi 2. Vadki Nala 3. Zendewadi Saswad
5Jeshtha Vadya 12-- -- -- -- Saswad
6Jeshtha Vadya 13Saswad Borawake Mala Yamai Shivri Sakurde Jejuri
7Jeshtha Vadya 14Jejuri 1. Doudaj Shiv 2. Doundaj Valhe -- Valhe
8Jeshtha Vadya 15Valhe Pimprekhurd Vihir Neera Neera Snan Lonand
9Aashadh Shuddha 1-- -- -- -- Lonand
10Aashadh Shuddha 2-- -- Lonand Chandobach Limb Taradgaon
11Aashadh Shuddha 3Taradgaon 1. Datta Mandir, Kalaj 2. Surawadi Nimbhoreodha Vadjal Phaltan
12Aashadh Shuddha 4Phaltan Vidani Pimprad Nimlak phata Barad
13Aashadh Shuddha 5Barad Sadhubuvacha Odha Dharmapuri Patbandhare Bangla Canol Shingnapur Phata – Panaskar wadi Natepute
14Aashadh Shuddha 6Natepute -- Mandavi Odha 1. Sadashivnagar 2.Yeliv Malshiras
15Aashadh Shuddha 7Malsiras Khudus phata Vinjori Dnyaneshwar nagar Dhavbavi mount Velapur
16Aashadh Shuddha 8Velapur Dhakurbuva Samadhi Tondale Bondale Sant Sopandeo Bhet Bhandishegaon
17Aashadh Shuddha 9-- -- Bhandishegaon Bajiravachi Vihir Vakhari
18Aashadh Shuddha 10Vakhari -- Pandharpur -- Pandharpur

Dehu - Pandharpur Palkhi Schedule

Day Tithi Starting Location First Break Lunch Break Post lunch Break Night Stay
1Jeshtha Vadya 6-- -- -- Start from Dehu Inamdar saheb wada, Dehu Dehu
2Jeshtha Vadya 7 Dehu 1. Angadhshaha Baba Abhang Aarti 2. Chincholi Paduka Abhang Aarti Nigdi -- Aakurdi Vitthal Mandir
3Jeshtha Vadya 8 Aakurdi Vitthal Mandir 1. H. A Colony Pimpri Shri Vitthal Nagar 2. Kasarwadi Dapodi 1. Shivajinagar 2. Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Paduka Mandir, F.C.Road, Pune Shri Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir, Nanapeth, Pune
4Jeshtha Vadya 9-- -- -- -- Shri Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir, Nanapeth, Pune
5Jeshtha Vadya 10Shri Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir, Nanapeth, Pune Bhairobanala Hadapsar 1. Manjari Farm 2. Loni Kalbhor Railway Station Loni Kalbhor Vitthal Mandir
6Jeshtha Vadya 11Loni Kalbhor Vitthal Mandir Kunjeervadi Fata Uralikanchan Jawjibuwachi Wadi Yavat Shri Bhairavnath Mandir
7Jeshtha Vadya 12Yavat Shri Bhairavnath Mandir -- Bhandgaon Kedgaon-ChaufulaVarvand Shri Vitthal Mandir
8Jeshtha Vadya 13Varvand Shri Vitthal Mandir Bhagvat Vasti Patas 1. Roti, Abhang Aarati. 2. Hingani Wada 3. Vasunde 4. KharadwadiUndwadi Gavalyachi
9Jeshtha Vadya 14Undwadi Gavalyachi Undwadi Pathar Brhanpur 1. Morewadi 2. Saraf Petrol Pump, Baramati Baramati Sanskrutik Bavan, Baramati
10 Jeshtha Vadya 15 Baramati Sanskrutik Bavan, Baramati 1. Motibaug 2. 1.Pimpli Grape 3.Limitech Katewadi Bhavaninagar Sakhar Karkhana Sansar Maruti Mandir
11Aashadh Shuddha 1 Sansar Maruti Mandir Belvadi(Golringan) Belvadi 1. Lasurne Junction 2. Lasurne Anthurne
12Aashadh Shuddha 2 Anthurne 1. Shelgaon Fata 2. 54 Fata Gotandi -- Nimgaon Ketki
13Aashadh Shuddha 3 Nimgaon Ketki 1. Tarangwadi-Cannol 2. Gokulicha Odha Indapur(Golringan) -- Indapur
14Aashadh Shuddha 4 -- -- -- -- Indapur
15Aashadh Shuddha 5 Indapur1. Gokulicha Odha, Vitthalwadi 2. Vadapuri 3. Surwad Bawada -- Sarati
16Aashadh Shuddha 6 Sarati Mane Vidyalay(Golringan)-- -- Akluj, Shri vitthal Mandir
17Aashadh Shuddha 7 Akluj, Shri vitthal Mandir Malinagar(Ubhe ringan) Malinagar 1. Payaricha Pul 2. Kadam Vasti 3. Shripur Sakhar Karkhana Borgaon
18Aashadh Shuddha 8 Borgaon-- Malkhambi 1. Tondale Bondale(Dhava) 2. Tappa Pirachi Kuroli Gayran
19Aashadh Shuddha 9 Pirachi Kuroli Gayran -- Pirachi Kuroli 1. Vaghad Vasti 2. Bhandi Shegaon 3. Bajirao Vihir Ubhe Ringan Vakhari
20Aashadh Shuddha 10 Vakhari-- -- Paduka Abhang Aarti(Ubhe Ringan) Pandharpur

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, January 28, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.