Around 10 lakh pilgrims across Maharashtra have joined Palkhi procession from Alandi and Dehu to Pandharpur. They will cover a distance of around 250 kilometres in 20 days.
About:
What is it? Pandharpur Wari or Wari (Vari) is an annual pilgrimage (yatra) to Pandharpur - the seat of the Hindu god Vithoba in Maharashtra, in honour of the deity.
Background: The tradition is more than 700 to 800 years old.
Journey:
Palakhis (palanquin processions) carrying the paduka (foot prints) of various saints - most notably Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram - from the Varkari (Warkari) sect (which venerates Vithoba), are taken from their respective shrines to Pandharpur.
Dnyaneshwar's palakhi leaves from Alandi, while Tukaram's begins at Dehu; both in Pune district of Maharashtra.
The journey takes 21 days. The wari culminates at the Vithoba temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi.
Upon reaching Pandharpur on Ashadi Ekadashi, these devotees take a holy dip in the sacred Chandrabhaga River/Bhima River before proceeding to visit the Vitthal temple.
Footfall: This annual March on foot from various locations in Maharashtra to Vithoba temple attracts a total of over a million pilgrims.
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