Pandharpur Wari 2020: Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi ceremony begins in Dehu
Mehab Qureshi
Pune, June 12, 2020: The 335th Palkhi (palanquin) ceremony of Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj is being held at Dehu today. Padukas will be placed in the main temple after the procession. After that, Padukas will be taken to Pandharpur by helicopter or bus on June 30, the temple trustees said.
On this occasion, every year Dehu is filled with the chants of Gyanoba-Tukaram. However, due to the Coronavirus outbreak this year, only a handful of pilgrims have been able to attend the departure ceremony. Today the traditional rituals began at am and the palanquin left the main temple at around 3.30 pm. The ceremony today started in the presence of MP Shrirang Barne, SDO Sachin Baravkar, Tehsildar Geeta Gaikwad and 50 Warakaris. The trustees had appealed to Warakaris from other places including Maharashtra not to come to Dehu.
Meanwhile, the entire city of Dehu witnessed a peaceful atmosphere today. After the procession, the palanquin will rest in the main temple and will leave for Pandharpur on June 30 by helicopter or bus. Today, the main temple complex was abuzz with the chants of Gyanoba Mauli Tukaram. Social distancing was strictly observed by the Warakaris present inside the temple. All the Warakaris were standing in the discipline in the circles drawn in the courtyard of the temple and chanting Harinama.
Meanwhile, tomorrow (June 13), Dnyaneshwar Maharaj’s Palkhi ceremony will be held in Alandi. However, Only 50 Warakaris will be allowed to attend the service at the temple premises. After this, Palkhi will leave for Pandharpur as per the next decision on Dashmi/June 30.
What is Pandharpur Wari?
Pandharpur Wari or Wari (Vari) is an annual pilgrimage (yatra) to Pandharpur – the seat of the Hindu god Vithoba in the Indian state of Maharashtra, in honour of the deity. Palkhis (palanquin processions) carrying the paduka (footprints) of various saints – most notably Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram – from the Varkari (Warkari, “one who performs the Wari”) sect (which venerates Vithoba), are taken from their respective shrines to Pandharpur. The tradition is more than 700 to 800 years old.
Dnyaneshwar’s palkhi leaves from Alandi, while Tukaram’s begins at Dehu; both in Pune district of Maharashtra. This march on foot from various locations in Maharashtra to Vithoba temple, Pandharpur, attracts a total of over a million pilgrims. The journey takes 21 days. Numerous palkhis join the main Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar palkhis that starts from Dehu and Alandi respectively. However, this year only 50 people have been allowed due to the Coronavirus epidemic.