Pandharpur Wari

There are various views on the origins of the Wari (Marathi: पंढरपूरची वारी or वारी). Devotees of Vitthal were holding pilgrimages prior to the 14th century.[7] According to one theory, Vitthalpant, the father of the Varkari saint Dnyaneshwar, began the Wari to visit Pandharpur in the Hindu months of Ashadha and Kartik. The tradition of performing a Wari is generally regarded to have existed for more than 800 years.[8][9]

Another theory credits Saint Dnyaneshwar (13th century) and Saint Tukaram (17th century) to have started the pilgrimage. They used to perform journey to Pandharpur by foot for fifteen days, reaching Pandharpur's Vithoba temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi.[10]

The tradition of carrying the paduka (sandals) of the saints was started by the youngest son of Tukaram, Narayan Maharaj, in 1685. Further changes were brought to the pilgrimage in the 1820s by descendants of Tukaram and a devotee of Dnyaneshwar named Haibatravbaba Arphalkar, who was a courtier of Scindias, the Maratha rulers of Gwalior.[11][12] Haibatravbaba is credited with the organization of the wari in use today. This involved carrying the paduka in a palkhi, having horses involved in the procession, and organizing the devotees or varkaris in Dindis (Dindi stands for a specific group of varkaris.).[13]

Pandharpur

Alandi

Dehu

Paithan

Location of Pandharpur and the starting place of important palkhis

The Warkaris - whose patron deity is Vithoba - undertake the annual pilgrimage (Wari) to Pandharpur, reaching there on a day before Ashadhi Ekadashi, the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadha (June - July). Pilgrims carry palanquins of the saints from their samadhi shrines.[14][15] This is said to be one of the World's largest and oldest movement where people gather on a specific day every year and walk for a distance of around 250 km. Pandharpur's Ashadi Ekadashi Wari journey has been honoured by World Book of Records, London under the title 'One of the Most visited places in a day'.[16]

The Wari begins on the 8th/9th lunar day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha and reaches a day before Ashadhi Ekadashi at Pandharpur. People from various castes and socio-economic backgrounds participate in the Wari, with the common goal to reach Pandharpur and worship the deity.

Along with the Dindi (palakhi) procession, selfless service (seva) is performed for the poor and needy, like Amrut Kalash ( annadana, or donation of food), Narayan seva, medical help, and building or repairing of rural infrastructure, is done. This is known as Seva Dindi.

From the last two years a concept of "Niramal Wari" has also started to keep all villages clean during the possession of Wari.

Tukaram Maharaj palakhi (palanquin)

It is believed that participation in Ashadhi Dindi and Seva Dindi helps an individual in many ways by bringing good health, peace and prosperity in his life. Chanting the continuous glory of the God in the Ashadhi Dindi procession and Seva Dindi purifies an individual, there is an inner cleansing that takes place in Mind, Body and Spirit and the participants tend to lose their individual identities and experience bliss. It develops all aspects of human personality and helps us understand the true purpose of Life.[17]

There are two main routes on which Waris are performed, the Dehu - Pandharpur route and the Alandi - Pandharpur route.

Dehu - Pandharpur Palkhi Schedule (2019)

Day	Date	Starting Location	First Break	Lunch Break	Post lunch Break	Night Stay
1	24 June 2019	--	--	--	Start from Dehu Inamdar Saheb Wada, Dehu	Dehu
2	25 June 2019	Dehu	1. Angadhshaha Baba Abhang Aarti 2. Chincholi Paduka Abhang Aarti	Nigdi	--	Aakurdi Vitthal Mandir
3	26 June 2019	Aakurdi Vitthal Mandir	1. H. A Colony Pimpri Shri Vitthal Nagar 2. Kasarwadi	Dapodi	1. Shivajinagar 2. Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Paduka Mandir, F.C.Road, Pune	Shri Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir, Nanapeth, Pune
4	27 June 2019	--	--	--	--	Shri Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir, Nanapeth, Pune
5	28 June 2019	Shri Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir, Nanapeth, Pune	Bhairobanala	Hadapsar	1. Manjari Farm 2. Loni Kalbhor Railway Station	Loni Kalbhor Vitthal Mandir
6	29 June 2019	Loni Kalbhor Vitthal Mandir	Kunjeervadi Fata	Urali Kanchan	Jawjibuwachi Wadi	Yavat Shri Bhairavnath Mandir
7	30 June 2019	Yavat Shri Bhairavnath Mandir	--	Bhandgaon	Kedgaon-Chaufula	Varvand Shri Vitthal Mandir
8	1 July 2019	Varvand Shri Vitthal Mandir	Bhagvat Vasti	Patas	1. Roti, Abhang Aarati. 2. Hingani Wada 3. Vasunde 4. Kharadwadi	Undwadi Gavalyachi
9	2 July 2019	Undwadi Gavalyachi	Undwadi Pathar	Brhanpur	1. Morewadi 2. Saraf Petrol Pump, Baramati	Baramati Sanskrutik Bavan, Baramati
10	3 July 2019	Baramati Sanskrutik Bavan, Baramati	1. Motibaug 2. 1.Pimpli Grape 3.Limitech	Katewadi	Bhavaninagar Sakhar Karkhana	Sansar Maruti Mandir
11	4 July 2019	Sansar Maruti Mandir	Belvadi(Golringan)	Belvadi	1. Lasurne Junction 2. Lasurne	Nimgaon Ketki
12	5 July 2019	Nimgaon Ketki	1. Tarangwadi-Cannol 2. Gokulicha Odha	Indapur(Golringan)	--	Indapur
13	6 July 2019	Indapur	1. Gokulicha Odha, Vitthalwadi 2. Vadapuri 3. Surwad	Bawada	--	Sarati
14	7 July 2019	Sarati	Mane Vidyalay(Golringan)	--	--	Akluj, Shri Vitthal Mandir
15	8 July 2019	Akluj, Shri Vitthal Mandir	Malinagar(Ubhe ringan)	Malinagar	1. Payaricha Pul 2. Kadam Vasti 3. Shripur Sakhar Karkhana	Borgaon (Borgav)
16	9 July 2019	Borgaon	--	Malkhambi	1. Tondale Bondale(Dhava) 2. Tappa	Pirachi Kuroli Gayran
17	10 July 2019	Pirachi Kuroli Gayran	--	Pirachi Kuroli	1. Vaghad Vasti 2. Bhandi Shegaon 3. Bajirao Vihir Ubhe Ringan	Wakhari
18	11 July 2019	Vakhari	--	--	Paduka Abhang Aarti(Ubhe Ringan)	Pandharpur
19	12 July 2019	NagarPradlshana	--	--		Pandharpur
20	16 July 2019	Shri Vittal Rukmani Bhet	--	--		Pandharpur
21	17 July 2019	Particha Pravas Suru	--	--

Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhi (palanquin), holding the footwear of the saint, is carried with honour in a silver bullock cart from Alandi to Pandharpur.

Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi 2nd Circular ringan. Near, Khudus Phata, Malshiras.

Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi 3rd Circular ringan. Near, Thakur buva samadhi, Velapur.

Pilgrims bathing in the Chandrabhaga river at Pandharpur

The Dnyaneshwar Palkhi is managed by the descendants of Haibatraobua Arphalkar (who started the palkhi in Modern times), the hereditary Chopdars, and Alandi Devasthan trust. The whole procession is divided into sub-groups called Dindi. Most dindis are registered with the Palkhi organizers.[19] There are more than 200 Dindi on each route. Each dindi has between 100 and 500 members. The palkhi is at the centre of the Wari procession which means usually around half the number of Dindis are ahead of the palkhi while the other half follow behind. All registered Dindis are assigned their number and position in the procession and the sequence is strictly followed. The assigned numbers are mentioned ahead of each dindi. There are many unregistered dindis of devotees also who walk well ahead or behind the official Wari procession.

Tukaram Maharaj palkhi (palanquin) Rath

The timetable of Wari route is published well in advance and is strictly followed. It is well defined and minute details are made available including starting location, the location of breaks, including lunch, rest, night stay location. Every morning, early dawn, after worshiping the Saint's footwear, the palkhi sets out at 6am for the next stretch of the route. A Tutari (wind instrument) is blown thrice to alert all Warkaris. At the first signal, all Warkaris get ready to leave. At the second signal, the dindis stand in the queue as per designated sequence and at the third signal, they starts walking. After 4 to 5 km, they take a quick break for breakfast. They also take break for lunch as per the given schedule.[20]

Every dindi has one truck or a similar vehicle where the luggage and food material is kept. This is used at the night stay location everyday. The Warkaris just carry the emergency materials along during the procession, and Tal (instruments), Abhang book (book for chanting praises of the lord) etc. during the walk. The management ensures that the tents are set up and the food is prepared before the respective dindi arrives at the location. The dindis also decide the sequence in which the Abhang has to be sung. Most of the dindi members know all the abhang praises by heart, but the newcomers carry the small book while walking. At any point of time, only one Abhang is sung by all. A varkari who adorns the garland of Tulsi is called as Malkari (mal or mala means garland in Marathi and Hindi). The person who carries Veen in the entire journey is called the Veenekari. These persons have a special status in the dindi and whole management is driven by them. Any dispute during travel between the dindis is resolved by them at the stay location.

From last few years, the addition of doctors to the procession have improved the medical facilities in the Wari. The doctors do take care of the members who get infected or become weak during travel due to walking. There are a few professional doctors who close their city practice devoting their 21 days to the wari and take care of the dindi people every year.

The stay arrangements of each dindi are well defined and planned at every location. Most of the dindis make stay arrangements in the temples available in the village or in the tents.

The Ashadhi Wari has tremendous economic impact on the town of Pandharpur. This is the period when demand for equipment and items associated with worship of Lord Vitthal goes through the roof. An estimated one million pilgrims, either varkaris traveling with the palkhi or independent travelers, travel to Pandharpur each year, who also need accommodation which is provided by the permanent Mathas and temporary lodging houses. The period also sees demand for temporary restaurants and groceries such as milk and rice because a number of devotees usually cook their own food.[21]

Since the vari attracts so many people on the way to Pandharpur going through many localities, public health measures have been implemented since the early British colonial period. These included compulsory vaccinations for diseases such as cholera and plague, segregation of the infected, restrictions on mobility etc.[22] According to Manjiri Kamat, the colonial administrators had other motivations for the public health measures such as generating revenue by collecting pilgrim tax, or maintaining law and order.[23] The colonial government's public health measures in the early part of the 20th century included attaching medical staff to different palkhis, removing infected persons, modifying wells for drinking water, digging trenches, providing bins for waste collection, employing sanitary staff etc.[24] The requirement to be vaccinated against cholera and typhoid in order to join a dindi has continued in the present times.[25]

In 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the vari was severely curtailed with only fifty varkaris joining the march to Pandharpur.The sandals (paduka) of the saints were either driven to or flown to Pandharpur for ashadhi ekadashi on July 1, 2020.[26]

Related to Pandharpur Wari

• Vithoba
• आषाढी वारी (पंढरपूर) on Marathi Wikipedia
• Vithoba Temple, Pandharpur
• Varkari
• Sant Dnyaneshwar
• Sant Tukaram
• Bhakti movement
• Sant Mat

Other Hindu pilgrimage related topics

• Famous Hindu yatras
• Hindu pilgrimage sites in India
• List of Hindu festivals
• Padayatra
• Ratha Yatra
• Tirtha
• Tirtha and Kshetra