Pune: Alandi Comes Alive With Devotion As Varkaris Celebrate Mauli’s Rathotsava
Alandi, 28th November 2024: The sacred Rathotsava of Mauli was celebrated with fervor and devotion on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Vadya Dwadashi in Alandi. Thousands of devotees and Varkaris gathered to witness the grand event, which featured a 150-year-old Sheesham wooden chariot crafted by Narasimha Saraswati. The Rathotsava procession began from Gopalpur, with chants of “Mauli Mauli” reverberating through the air.
Over 3.5 lakh devotees from across the state have assembled in Alandi to participate in the ongoing 728th Sanjeevan Samadhi Day ceremony of Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. The week-long observance, which began earlier this week, will conclude on Sunday, 1st December.
On Wednesday morning, the Dwadashi Mahapuja was conducted under the guidance of village provincial official Anil Daunde. A series of devotional programs followed, including Kakda Bhajan, Mahapuja on the chariot, Mahanaivedya, Kirtan, and Dhuparati. The Rathotsava took center stage in the evening, drawing enormous crowds at the Muktai Mandap.
Prominent attendees included Balasaheb Arphalkar, custodian of the Palkhi ceremony, temple priests Amol Gandhi and Avadhut Gandhi, Shri Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan Chief Trustee Rajendra Umap, Yogi Niranjan, Dr. Bhavarth Dekhane, and trustees of the Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Devasthan, Purushottam Maharaj More and Manik Maharaj More.
The Rathotsava commenced at Shri Krishna Temple with the ceremonial raising of saffron flags. The Grampradakshina (procession) followed a traditional route through Chakan Chowk, Bhairavanath Chowk, Hajeri Maruti Mandir, Vitthal Rukhmini Chowk, and other landmarks, culminating at the temple. As part of the longstanding custom, villagers of Alandi carried the palkhi on their shoulders to Gopalpur before the Rathotsava.
The 728th Sanjeevan Samadhi Day will be observed on Thursday with a variety of religious events. According to Trustee Rajendra Umap, the day will begin with an Abhishek and Dudharti ritual, followed by devotional sessions at the Veena Mandap and Bhojlingaka Mandap. Namdas Maharaj will perform Kirtan at 10 AM, while the main Aarti and Gantanad will be held at Shri Sanjeevan Samadhi around noon.
The banks of the Indrayani River have come alive with early morning bathing rituals performed by Varkaris, despite the chilly weather. The chants of “Dnyanoba Mauli Tukaram” echo through the town, creating a deeply spiritual and festive atmosphere.
With its streets brimming with joyous devotees and the air filled with devotional hymns, Alandi has become the epicenter of spirituality and tradition during this grand celebration.
