Latest news with #SantTukaramMaharajSansthan
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Early onset of monsoon likely to boost warkari participation in Ashadhi wari this year
1 2 3 Pune: Organisers of the annual Ashadhi wari are anticipating a surge in the number of warkaris (devotees) joining this year's palkhi processions of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj owing to the early arrival of monsoon. The early onset of the monsoon has enabled warkaris, who are primarily farmers, to complete sowing ahead of schedule, allowing them to participate in the pilgrimage. An official from the Alandi temple trust said this year marks the 750th birth anniversary of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, and a series of celebrations are under way. "The silver coating of the Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi has been replaced this year in honour of the 750th birth anniversary. The milestone is expected to draw a larger number of devotees to the annual wari," the official said. Similarly, the Dehu temple trust is commemorating the 375th 'Vaikuntha Gaman Sohala' of Sant Tukaram Maharaj, which will further encourage warkari participation. The palkhi of Sant Tukaram Maharaj will begin its journey from Dehu on June 18, while the palkhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj will depart Alandi on June 19. Both processions will travel more than 200km on foot towards Pandharpur and reach the temple town on July 5, a day before Ashadhi Ekadashi, which falls on July 6. The Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi will include 377 dindis (groups of devotees), while 350 dindis will be part of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhi. Jalinder Maharaj More, president of the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Sansthan, said warkaris would start arriving in Dehu at least three days prior to the procession. "We have requested the administration to allot more space for the warkaris to stay in Akurdi. We have also requested them to urgently repair the road from Dehu temple to Dehu Road to avoid inconvenience to the pilgrims," he said. More added that this year, the palkhi will make a brief stop of around one-and-a-half hours in Uruli Kanchan due to a route-related issue that emerged between villagers and the committee last year. In order to ensure smooth coordination, several administrative meetings have been held in recent weeks. One such meeting took place at Mantralaya in Mumbai last month, where temple trust members urged officials to restrict the setup of Swagat Kaksha (felicitation centres) along the palkhi route, citing issues of congestion and disruption. "We have requested the govt not to allow felicitation stages and loudspeakers along the route as they hinder the movement of warkaris and cause crowding around these setups. Those wishing to felicitate should stand along the road instead," said Bhavartha Dekhane, chief of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Sohala. Dekhane further saidthe temple trust has also requested the appointment of nodal officers in each district the palkhi passes through, along with a dedicated police unit to accompany the procession from Pune to Pandharpur. Both temple trusts have urged the state govt to ensure a sufficient supply of water for warkaris along the entire route.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Five lakh devotees to accompany Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi to Pandharpur amid rain concerns
Written by Siddhi Patil The annual Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhi (chariot) procession will begin from Alandi in the Pune district of Maharashtra on June 19, with lakhs of devotees walking to Pandharpur. It will mark the start of the Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage to the temple town in the Solapur district dedicated to Lord Vitthal. The palkhi is scheduled to reach Pandharpur on July 10 and return on July 29. Devotees will halt in Pune city on June 20 and 21. This year, 280 dindis (groups of worshippers) have registered with the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan, while 330 Dindis are associated with the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Sansthan. An estimated 5 lakh pilgrims are expected to accompany the Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi. Meanwhile, the Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi will depart from Dehu, also in the Pune district, on June 18, reaching Pandharpur on July 10 and returning on July 21. This Palkhi will halt at Nana Peth in Pune on June 21. At a recent meeting with the state government, the Varkari Sampradaya raised important concerns about infrastructure, including healthcare, sanitation, water supply, transportation, and first aid facilities during the procession. It raised serious environmental issues, particularly the pollution of the Indrayani and Chandrabhaga rivers, and the risks posed by incomplete road construction during the monsoon. Yogi Niranjan Nath Guru Shantinath, chief trustee of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan, said, 'The (Eknath) Shinde government initiated these meetings last year, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has continued them. Our concerns have been heard, and directions have been given to the respective departments. However, there has been no permanent resolution yet. Our main worry is the impact of ongoing rains and incomplete national highway roadworks, which pose a safety threat to Varkaris. Our surveys suggest rains may continue until June 27.' (Siddhi Patil is an intern with The Indian Express)
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
PMC chief reviews Palakhi route, orders intensive preparations after site inspections
With exactly a month to go for the arrival of Palkhi processions of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj in Pune, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) conducted a comprehensive inspection and planning drive to ensure the smooth and safe movement of the Wari, the officials said. PMC commissioner, Rajendra Bhosale, on Monday visited key locations along the Palkhi route. Additional municipal commissioners— Prithviraj BP (East) and Omprakash Divate (West), city engineer Prashant Waghmare, and other senior engineers and assistant commissioners were present. Besides, representatives from the Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Sansthan were also present during the visit. During the inspection, Bhosale issued detailed instructions for immediate road repairs, removal of encroachments, and ensuring safety at the overnight halting points. Additionally, essential amenities and facilities such as drinking water, clean mobile toilets, and resting areas for the devotees are being set up across the route, said the officials. The Health Department has been directed to set up mobile medical units and emergency health services, while healthcare camps and ambulance support will be arranged at key points. Disinfection and medicine spraying at halting areas and PMC schools that host devotees will be done in advance, said Dr Nina Borade, PMC health chief. According to officials, special attention is being given to monsoon-related issues. The stormwater drains and chambers are being cleaned and covered with safety grilles. Sanitation workers have been assigned to clear garbage from chambers and maintain hygiene in the area. Commenting on the issue, civic commissioner Bhosale said, 'To avoid traffic disruptions, the PMC has coordinated with the traffic police for the smooth movement of the procession. Unauthorised stalls and encroachments along the route are being removed by encroachment squads and special teams. The pavements and roads on the route are undergoing repairs. Tree branches obstructing the route are being trimmed. Additional lighting and backup electrical systems are being installed to prevent power outages,' he said. As per officials, the resting points for Warkaris will be equipped with clean water, mobile toilets, and first aid. Fire safety arrangements are being made at locations where meals are served. Barricading and crowd control systems will be set up to prevent chaos during Palkhi darshan. Mandals serving food are being instructed to maintain cleanliness, with sanitary staff being deployed to keep the areas clean. Also, arrangements for drinking water will be made at these locations.
