Latest news with #PandharpurYatra
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Time of India
Mobile ticketing devices debut at Nagpur Station for Tajuddin Baba Urs
Nagpur: After the successful implementation of hand-held mobile ticketing devices during the Pandharpur Yatra in Solapur, the mobile unreserved ticketing service (MUTS) made its debut at Nagpur railway station during the ongoing Tajuddin Baba Urs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Approximately 5,500 unreserved tickets were issued using these innovative devices from Monday to Wednesday, streamlining the ticketing process for the massive influx of devotees. The Nagpur Division of Central Railway operated four special trains to ferry devotees from Mumbai and Nashik to Nagpur for the Urs, a significant socio-religious event attracting diverse communities. Divisional railway manager (DRM) Vinayak Garg emphasised the railway's commitment to serving India's rich cultural and religious diversity. "The Urs crowd management was a challenge due to the festival's unique appeal across various faiths. Our team worked tirelessly to ensure devotees travel safely," Garg stated. In order to manage over three lakh devotees attending the Urs, the Nagpur Division implemented comprehensive crowd control measures. Senior divisional commercial manager Aman Mittal detailed the arrangements, noting that 90 additional ticket-checking staff and 70 extra Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel were deployed. "We anticipated heavy commuter movement and devised elaborate plans to ensure smooth operations," Mittal said. The division has also set up a dedicated waiting area near Platform No. 8, from where the special trains, carrying over 5,000 passengers, are operating. Facilities have been set up for round-the-clock refreshments in this area to enhance commuter comfort. Five MUTS devices are being used to issue tickets efficiently, catering to the large volume of unreserved passengers travelling to the Urs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Three ambulances with doctors and a firefighting bike are on duty outside the station. A large holding area has also been set up to accommodate the crowd. The introduction of MUTS at Nagpur station marks a significant step in modernising ticketing processes for large-scale religious gatherings. The seamless coordination of ticketing, crowd management, and safety measures are ensuring a smooth experience for devotees, reinforcing Central Railway's dedication to facilitating India's vibrant cultural events.
India Gazette
06-07-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Delhi BJP chief joins symbolic Pandharpur Yatra to celebrate 800-year-old tradition
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): Celebrating a centuries-old tradition rooted in devotion and community spirit, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party President Virendraa Sachdeva joined hundreds of participants in the fifth symbolic Pandharpur Yatra held in the national capital. The event mirrors the annual Pandharpur Wari in Maharashtra, one of India's most well-known pilgrimages, dedicated to Lord Vitthal. Speaking to ANI during the event, Sachdeva said, 'This is Pandharpur yatra that is carried out all over in Maharashtra with lot of excitement and devotion. This is an 800-year-old tradition that was started by Sant Gyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram.' He added, 'This is our 5th wari (Yatra) in Delhi. We have been trying continually to organise such Yatras in Delhi where everyone can participate. We celebrate this Yatra of Vitthal with a lot of excitement and faith.' The Pandharpur Wari, also known as the Pandharpur Yatra, is a major Hindu pilgrimage that brings together thousands of devotees, known as Warkaris. Every year, they walk around 250 kilometres to reach the holy town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra. Held in honour of Lord Vitthal, a form of Lord Vishnu, and his consort Rukmini, the Wari has been followed for centuries. It is closely associated with the teachings and lives of revered saints like Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, who are credited with starting and popularising the tradition. Large processions, known as Palkhis, begin from the towns of Dehu and Alandi--birthplaces of Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar. These processions carry the sacred footwear (padukas) of the saints and are followed by thousands of devotees. This year, the Palkhi of Sant Tukaram set off from Dehu on June 18, 2025, while the Palkhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar departed from Alandi on June 19, 2025. The pilgrimage ends in Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi, which falls on July 6, 2025. Throughout the Wari, devotees sing traditional devotional songs called abhangas, perform kirtans, and chant the name of Lord Vitthal. Many also take a holy dip in the Chandrabhaga River before seeking blessings at the Shree Vitthal Rukmini temple by touching the feet of the Vithoba idol. (ANI)
