3 days ago
Early onset of monsoon likely to boost warkari participation in Ashadhi wari this year
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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.
