Why Do Two Palkhis Leave Pune Every Year from Alandi and Dehu During Ashadh?
By Varad Bhatkhande
Pune, 21st June 2025: Every year during the Marathi month of Ashadh, something truly magical unfolds in Maharashtra. Two beautifully decorated Palkhis, one from Alandi and the other from Dehu, begin a 250-kilometre journey to Pandharpur, creating a moving river of devotion that sweeps through villages and towns, pulling in lakhs of pilgrims along the way.
This spiritual procession, known as the Pandharpur Wari, is much more than a tradition, it’s a way of life for the warkaris, devotees of Lord Vithoba. For many, walking this path is a yearly promise kept, a soul-deep connection to saints Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram, and a celebration of faith, music, and togetherness.
The Roots of a 800-Year-Old Devotion
The story goes back over eight centuries, when devotees began walking to Pandharpur carrying the symbolic footwear (padukas) of their beloved saints. In 1685, Narayan Baba, the youngest son of Sant Tukaram, introduced a new tradition, placing these padukas in a palanquin (Palkhi) as a mark of deep respect. For a time, the padukas of both saints traveled together in one Palkhi.
However, in 1830, a family dispute in Tukaram Maharaj’s lineage led to a split. Since then, two separate Palkhis have set out, one from Alandi for Sant Dnyaneshwar, and the other from Dehu for Sant Tukaram. While they start apart, the Palkhis reunite briefly in Pune and again near Pandharpur before reaching their final destination, a gesture of unity in diversity.
What the Palkhi Yatra Looks Like
The Yatra starts in marathi month Jyeshtha and lasts around 22 days, ending on Ashadhi Ekadashi, a holy day in the Hindu calendar. It’s not just a pilgrimage; it’s a celebration on foot.
Lakhs of warkaris, dressed in white, sing age-old abhangas (devotional songs), chant the names of their saints, and walk as one large family. Groups called Dindis, each from a different village or community, walk in harmony. Along the route, local villagers offer food, water, and shelter, turning the journey into a moving festival of hospitality and shared devotion.
The path winds through familiar names, Pune, Saswad, Jejuri, Lonand, and Wakhari, before reaching the spiritual heartland of Pandharpur. Once there, the pilgrims bathe in the sacred Chandrabhaga River before going for the long-awaited darshan of Lord Vithoba.
Why Are There Two Palkhis?
The reason traces back to the 1830 separation caused by a disagreement in Sant Tukaram’s family. As a result, each saint was honored with his own distinct Palkhi, beginning from his birthplace, Alandi for Dnyaneshwar and Dehu for Tukaram.
Though the processions are separate, the emotion is shared. Both are bound by the same deep-rooted love for Lord Vithoba and a sense of purpose that brings strangers together as fellow pilgrims.
What It Means Today
In today’s fast-paced world, the Palkhi Yatra is a powerful reminder of faith, unity, and heritage. It brings together people across caste, class, and age. The songs, the rhythm of the veena and mridang, the shared meals, and the long dusty roads are all part of something larger, a spiritual rhythm that has kept beating for over 800 years.
It’s not just about reaching Pandharpur, it’s about walking with faith, one step at a time.
