Pandharpur Wari
Pandharpur Wari or Wari pronounced vaaree, is an annual pilgrimage to the town of Pandharpur, which is the seat of Hindu God Vithoba in the Indian state of Maharashtra, in honour of the deity. Palakhis carrying the paduka of the deity and various saints, most notably Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram from the Warkari sect, are taken from their respective shrines to Pandharpur. Warkari is a Marathi term which means "one who performs the Wari" or "one who venerates the Vithoba". The tradition is more than 700 to 800 years old.
The two most revered palakhis, Saint Dnyaneshwar's palakhi leaves from the town of Alandi, while Saint Tukaram's begins at Dehu; both these towns are located in Pune district of Maharashtra. This march on foot from various locations in Maharashtra to Vithoba temple, Pandharpur, attracts over a million pilgrims. The journey takes 21 days. Numerous palakhis join the main Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar palakhis along the way. The Wari culminates at the Vithoba temple on the holy occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi. Devotees from all over 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. Upon reaching Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi, these devotees take a holy dip in the sacred Chandrabhaga River/Bhima River before proceeding to visit the Vitthal Temple.
History
There are various views on the origins of the Wari. Devotees of Vitthal were holding pilgrimages prior to the 14th century. According to one theory, Vitthalpant, the father of the Varkari saint Dnyaneshwar, began the Wari to visit Pandharpur in the Hindu months of Ashadha and Kartik. The tradition of performing a Wari is generally regarded to have existed for more than 800 years.Another theory credits Saint Dnyaneshwar and Saint Tukaram to have started the pilgrimage. They used to perform journey to Pandharpur by foot for fifteen days, reaching Pandharpur's Vithoba temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi.
The tradition of carrying the paduka of the saints was started by the youngest son of Tukaram, Narayan Maharaj, in 1685. Further changes were brought to the pilgrimage in the 1820s by descendants of Tukaram and a devotee of Dnyaneshwar named Haibatravbaba Arphalkar, who was a courtier of Scindias, the Maratha rulers of Gwalior. Haibatravbaba is credited with the organization of the wari in use today. This involved carrying the paduka in a palkhi, having horses involved in the procession, and organizing the devotees or varkaris in Dindis.
Wari in present times
The Warkaris - whose patron deity is Vithoba - undertake the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur, reaching there on a day before Ashadhi Ekadashi, the eleventh lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashadha. Pilgrims carry palanquins of the saints from their samadhi shrines. This is said to be one of the World's largest and oldest movement where people gather on a specific day every year and walk for a distance of around 250 km. Pandharpur's Ashadi Ekadashi Wari journey has been honoured by World Book of Records, London under the title 'One of the Most visited places in a day'.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 and worship the deity.
Along with the Dindi procession, selfless service is performed for the poor and needy, like Amrut Kalash, Narayan seva, medical help, and building or repairing of rural infrastructure, is done. This is known as Seva Dindi.
From the last two years a concept of "Niramal Wari" has also started to keep all villages clean during the possession of Wari.
It is believed that participation in Ashadhi Dindi and Seva Dindi helps an individual in many ways by bringing good health, peace and prosperity in his life. Chanting the continuous glory of the God in the Ashadhi 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.
Yatra routes
There are two main routes on which Waris are performed, the Dehu - Pandharpur route and the Alandi - Pandharpur route.Route of Tukaram Palkhi
The pilgrims start the main pilgrimage from the town of Dehu on foot, carrying the Palkhi of Saint Tukaram, who is a renowned devotee of Lord Vitthala, a form of lord Vishnu. It is known as Sant Tukaram's Palkhi procession. It starts from Dehu and reaches Pandharpur via the towns of Akurdi, Loni Kalbhor, Yavat, Varvand, Baramati, Indapur, Akluj and Wakhri respectively.Dehu - Pandharpur Palkhi Schedule (2019)
Route of Dnyaneshwar palkhi
The pilgrims start from the town of Alandi in Pune district on foot, carrying the palkhi of Saint Dnyaneshwar and reaches Pandharpur via the cities of Pune, Saswad, Jejuri, Lonand, Taradgaon, Phaltan, Natepute, Malshiras, Velapur, Shegaon and Wakhri to reach Pandharpur.Both the main palkhis meet at Pune, then at Wakhari and then further meet before reaching Pandharpur.
Besides these, two more Waris in the Hindu months of Chaitra and Maghi Ekadashis are also deemed to be important. The latter two are particularly attended by devotees from neighbouring state of Karnataka.
Alandi - Pandharpur Palkhi Schedule
Management in Wari
The Dnyaneshwar Palkhi is managed by the descendants of Haibatraobua Arphalkar, the hereditary Chopdars, and Alandi Devasthan trust. The whole procession is divided into sub-groups called Dindi. Most dindis are registered with the Palkhi organizers. There are more than 200 Dindi on each route. Each dindi has between 100 and 500 members. The palkhi is at the centre of the Wari procession which means usually around half the number of Dindis are ahead of the palkhi while the other half follow behind. All registered Dindis are assigned their number and position in the procession and the sequence is strictly followed. The assigned numbers are mentioned ahead of each dindi. There are many unregistered dindis of devotees also who walk well ahead or behind the official Wari procession.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 Saint's footwear, the palkhi sets out at 6am for the next stretch of the route. A Tutari 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 also take break for lunch as per the given schedule.
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 Warkaris just carry the emergency materials along during the procession, and Tal, Abhang book etc. during the 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 has to be sung. Most of the dindi members know all the abhang praises by heart, but the newcomers carry the small book while walking. At any point of time, only one Abhang is sung by all. A 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 is resolved by them at the stay location.
From last few years, the addition of doctors to the procession have improved the medical facilities in the Wari. The doctors do take care of the members who get infected or become weak during travel due to walking. There are a few professional doctors who close their city practice devoting their 21 days to the wari and take care 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 arrangements in the temples available in the village or in the tents.