Latest news with #SantTukaramMaharajPalkhi
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
Three wardens suffer injuries after truck crashes into barricades & police van on Pune-Mumbai highway
Pune: Three wardens suffered injuries after a truck crashed into a police van and barricades, placed on the Pune-Mumbai highway in Nigdi to divert heavy vehicles for the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi procession, around 1.15am on Sunday. Warden Shivaji Shinde suffered injuries to his legs, Sahil Pawar's shoulder was injured, and Mohan Awchar suffered injuries to his hands and legs. The Dehu Road police arrested the truck driver on the charge of attempting to commit culpable homicide and rash driving. An officer from the Dehu Road police said the barricades were placed on the Pune-Mumbai highway in Nigdi on Saturday night to divert heavy vehicles. A police van was also parked near the barricades. "A truck heading towards Nigdi crashed into the barricades and then hit the police van around 1.15am on Sunday. The wardens standing near the van suffered injuries," the officer said. He said the police van was damaged in the accident. "The arrested driver is from Vaishali district in Bihar," he said.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
City reverberates with sound of cymbals and drums as it welcomes palkhis
PUNE The annual Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi processions arrived in Pune on Friday amid huge fanfare including the chanting of bhajans by lakhs of Warkaris (devotees). With religious chants and playing of traditional instruments, the annual palkhi (palanquin) processions of Sant Tukaram Maharaj (in pic) and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj reached Pune amid intermittent rains on Friday evening. (MAHENDRA KOLHE/HT) So much so that the entire city reverberated with the sound of cymbals and drums accompanied by vigorous chants of 'Dnyanoba Mauli Tukaram'. The Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi arrived from Alandi whereas the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi arrived from Dehu via Pimpri-Chinchwad. Both Palkhis took the old Pune-Mumbai highway, Fergusson College Road and Laxmi Road. Pune municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram and all office-bearers welcomed the Palkhi processions to the city. The Warkaris had started arriving in the city Friday morning itself but the main Palkhi processions arrived in the evening. As the processions arrived, many roads in the city were closed since the afternoon which created hurdles for locals to visit the Palkhis and take blessings. Heavy vehicles too were banned by the police, causing traffic snarls on almost all roads leading to the city. Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi will move towards Saswad via Dive Ghat on Sunday. (MAHENDRA KOLHE/HT) Both Palkhis will stay overnight at the Pasodya Vithoba and Nidungya temples located in the Nana Peth area. Both Palkhis will leave the city on Sunday after a two-day halt. They will proceed together till Hadapsar Gadital after which the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi will move towards Solapur Road while the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi will move towards Saswad via Dive Ghat.
Indian Express
18-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
List of traffic closures, diversions as Palkhi processions to enter Pune tomorrow
With the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi processions set to enter Pune city limits on June 20, the city braces for one of its largest spiritual events of the year. The Pune Traffic Police, in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation and other departments, have chalked out an elaborate traffic and parking management plan to ensure smooth passage for lakhs of Warkaris walking towards Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi on July 7. The processions carry the Paduka (sacred footwear) of the revered saints and are central to Maharashtra's Warkari tradition. While the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi started from Dehu, Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi commenced its journey from Alandi. Officials said a massive operation involving multiple agencies has been activated, not just to manage the pilgrim crowd, but ensure emergency services, civic amenities and urban traffic continue to function with minimal disruption. Traffic closures and diversions (June 20–23) These changes will be effective from June 20, starting at 2:00 am, and will remain until each respective Palkhi exits the specified zones: For the arrival of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Closed route: Kalas Phata to Bopkhel Phata Alternate: Via Dhanori internal roads. Closed route: Mental Hospital Corner to Alandi Junction Alternate: Jail Road and Airport Road. Closed route: Sadalbaba Chowk to Patil Estate Alternate: Via Parnakuti Chowk to Garrison Engineer Square. For the arrival of Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Closed route: Bopodi Chowk to Khadki Bazar Alternate: Via Church Chowk. Closed route: Poultry Farm Chowk Alternate: Railway Police HQ – Aundh Road – Bremen Chowk. Closed Route: Old Mumbai Pune Road (towards Pune) till Engineering College Chowk Alternate: Bhau Patil Road – Aundh Road – Bremen Chowk. Closed route: RTO to Engineering College Chowk Alternate: Shahir Amar Shaikh Chowk – Kumbhar Ves – Jehangir Chowk – Ambedkar Setu. Joint procession route (From June 22, 12 pm) Once both Palkhis converge near Engineering College Chowk, the following roads will be affected: Closed route: Range Hill Chowk to Sancheti Chowk Alternate: Khadki Underpass – Poultry Farm Chowk. Closed route: Khandoji Baba Chowk to Veer Chaphekar Chowk Alternate: Karve Road – Senapati Bapat Road. Closed route: Gadgil Statue to SG Barve Chowk Alternate: Kumbhar Ves – RTO Chowk. Closed route: Deccan Traffic Division to Thopte Path Chowk Alternate: Ghole Road – Apte Road. Heavy vehicles will not be allowed on major Palkhi routes during this period. Signboards indicating diversions have been installed at all entry points, including: Diversion points: Vishrantwadi, Shivajinagar, Bopodi, and Swargate Approach and exit points: Kharadi Bypass, Hadapsar, Phursungi, and Katraj The administration has urged all logistics operators and heavy vehicle drivers to strictly follow route instructions to avoid fines or congestion. Over 719 sanitation points, multiple medical aid centers, fire safety teams, BDDS squads, and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been deployed across Pune. Drones, CCTV cameras, and a joint control command center have been activated to oversee crowd movements and emergency coordination.
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar reviews preparedness ahead of Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage
Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Friday conducted a review of the preparedness ahead of the annual Pandharpur Wari — a centuries-old pilgrimage that sees lakhs of devotees, known as warkaris, walking from Dehu and Alandi in Pune to Pandharpur in Solapur. This year, the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi will begin its journey from Dehu on June 18, Wednesday, followed by the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi from Alandi on June 19, Thursday. The spiritual procession is dedicated to Lord Vitthal and will conclude in Pandharpur on Ashadi Ekadashi, which falls on July 6. The pilgrimage spans around 20 days and covers nearly 250 km, with daily halts in towns and villages along the route. Throughout the journey, warkaris chant devotional songs and hymns. In view of the large gatherings anticipated and the surge in COVID-19 cases, state health officials have intensified preparedness measures. While most recent COVID-19 cases have been mild, authorities have advised individuals with co-morbidities to wear masks and take necessary precautions to ensure a safe and incident-free pilgrimage. State officials said there will be small dispensaries (Aapla Dawakhana) every 5 km along the route and 331 ambulances that will be on call 24×7 (dial 108 or 102), besides identifying 45 intensive care units in case of emergencies. Around 1,300 healthcare personnel will also be deputed for the purpose, including 138 specialists and 149 medical officers. Around 437 nurses will provide care as part of the measures. 'There are cases of dysentery, diarrhoea, fever, and even heart-related issues, so we must remain extremely vigilant,' said a senior health official. Officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also emphasised that ensuring safe and hygienic conditions is a priority. 'There are numerous food stalls and hotels along the route serving devotees. It is crucial that the food provided is unadulterated,' they said.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pune traffic branch writes to PMC about trouble spots on Palkhi route
The Pune Traffic Branch has submitted a list of trouble spots along the Wari route to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), highlighting areas affected by rubble, blocked drainages, and overgrown trees with branches hanging dangerously over the roads. According to the letter, special attention needs to be given to the safety of the warkaris during their passage through the city. In addition to this, a letter has been sent to the divisional commissioner urging prompt completion of the necessary repairs and maintenance along the route. The letter stresses that the PMC must prioritise urgent repairs, including the removal of rubble and garbage, unblocking drainage lines, cutting dangerous tree branches, and addressing potholes and other road-related issues. The route in question stretches from Vishrantwadi to Hadapsar and onward to Kunjirwadi, with many of the problematic areas falling under the jurisdiction of the civic body. The letter highlights several critical issues along the Palkhi route. It points out numerous potholes between Bopkhel Phata and Dutta Temple, where drainage lines are frequently clogged. Additionally, the stretch from Harris Bridge to Sancheti Hospital is reported to have garbage dumped on both sides, while Wakdewadi Road is dotted with potholes. The traffic department has also raised concerns about open drainages near the Engineering College, which pose significant risks to the warkaris. Commenting on the development, DCP (Traffic) Amol Zende said, 'We have given a list of all the obstacles to the PMC and also the divisional commissioner, informing about the challenges before the traffic police in managing the Wari procession. We are hopeful that the civic body will take immediate action in the larger interest of safety and security of the warkaris.' Meanwhile, social activist Jaymala Dhankikar allayed fears that PMC's lack of professionalism in discharging duties would cause suffering to the warkaris. PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said, 'All the necessary instructions have been given to the departments concerned to complete and expedite the work before the Wari procession begins in the city,' he said. The Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur will commence in Pune on June 19, 2025. This year, the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi will depart from Alandi on the evening of June 19, while the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi will begin its journey from Dehu on June 18, 2025.
