Honoured Horses Offer Devotional Salute at Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Temple Ahead of Ashadhi Wari

Pune, 07 July 2026: Ahead of their departure for Pandharpur for the Ashadhi Wari, the honoured horses participating in Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj’s Palkhi procession visited the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati temple and offered a devotional salute at the feet of Lord Ganesh.

The temple premises echoed with chants of “Mauli Mauli”, “Dnyanoba-Tukaram” and “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere. A large number of devotees gathered to witness this rare and auspicious moment.

The honoured horses were ceremonially worshipped by the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust, known as the country’s first public Ganesh mandal. The horses, owned by Shrimant Urjitsinh Shitole Sarkar from Ankali in Karnataka’s Belagavi district, arrived in Pune for the occasion.

Trust president Sanjeev Javale, trustees, office-bearers, volunteers, Shrimant Urjitsinh Shitole Sarkar, Shrimant Mahadji Raje Shitole Sarkar and several devotees were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Shrimant Urjitsinh Shitole Sarkar said that the honour given to the horses in Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj’s Palkhi is a matter of great pride and service. He said that every year before the Ashadhi Wari, the horses seek Lord Ganesh’s blessings before proceeding towards Alandi.

Trust president Sanjeev Javale said that Ashadhi Wari is not just a religious tradition, but a living symbol of Maharashtra’s devotion, dedication and spirit of service. He added that those who cannot directly participate in the Wari can still become part of the sacred journey by serving the Warkaris.

The trust also informed that during the Ashadhi Wari, it will organise health check-ups, free medical consultation, free medicine distribution, food service, foot care, organ donation awareness campaigns and other social service activities. These initiatives began with the arrival of the honoured horses at the temple.