Pune to Host Massive ‘Warkari Bhaktiyog Initiative’ on Yoga Day with Over 10 Lakh Participants

Pune, 16th June 2025: On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Pune will witness a massive “Warkari Bhaktiyog Initiative,” with over five lakh Warkaris, students, professors, yoga practitioners, and representatives from various social organizations set to participate in the city.

The event, organised under the leadership of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and guided by Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, will take place on 21st June, coinciding with the stay of the palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj in Pune.

The initiative, a collaboration between the Maharashtra Government, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), National Service Scheme, Shri Kshetra Alandi, Shri Kshetra Dehu, and the Student Development Forum, aims to blend the spiritual tradition of the Wari pilgrimage with the global celebration of yoga. According to Dr. Suresh Gosavi, Vice-Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University, and Rajesh Pandey, member of the university’s advisory committee, the main event will be held at the university’s indoor auditorium at 8 a.m., with the Chief Minister Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar, Eknath Shinde and Minister Patil in attendance.

Around ten lakh participants, including Warkaris and Pune residents, are expected to take part in various activities such as bhajans, kirtans, discourses, and yoga sessions. More than 200 colleges, 25 universities, social organizations, political parties, and Ganesh mandals from the city have confirmed their participation. Planning for the event is extensive, with over 600 volunteers and program officers already involved, as revealed in a recent meeting chaired by Minister Patil at the university.

This year, the convergence of the palkhi festival and International Yoga Day is expected to create a unique atmosphere in Pune. Over 700 dindis (pilgrim groups) will be present in the city, and each group will be accompanied by teams from five colleges. Yoga activities will be conducted at all locations where the palkhis halt, promoting yoga, life values, and public participation through the Warkari community. Technology is also being leveraged to maximize outreach.

Students wishing to participate must register through a dedicated online portal, and will receive certificates, caps, and t-shirts. Feedback from participants will be collected via QR code, and colleges are required to inform parents and obtain consent forms with signatures from parents, principals, and program officers.

Rajesh Pandey expressed confidence that the initiative will offer students practical lessons in life values and the power of community involvement, bringing about positive change in society. Dr. Suresh Gosavi called on all colleges and universities in Pune to join in, emphasizing the importance of spreading yoga and fostering public participation. The event is anticipated to be a landmark in the city’s history, combining the spiritual fervor of the Wari with the universal appeal of yoga.