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The Pandharapur Wari is an annual pilgrimage in Maharashtra, India, dedicated to Lord Vitthal or Lord Vithoba, a form of Lord Krishna. The devotees called Warkaris undertake  nearly a 20-day walk to cover nearly 250 kilometres, to reach the divine abode of Lord Vitthal. The walk culminates in the Ashada Ekadashi, a special day celebrating the entire walk, bountiful in songs and dances, vibrant processions and beyond that, a coming-together of believers’ sans race, caste and creed.

A powerful and enriching antiquity
The Wari is mostly accomplished on foot, and is carrying forward a tradition of over 800 years. Millions of footsteps on the same path leading to the temple, are undertaken with a paduka of revered saints like Saint Tukaram and Saint Dnyaneshwar.

A fascinating aspect of the Wari is its intrinsic belief that Lord Vitthal himself considers it his good fortune to receive devotees who come from long distances, bearing natural hardships, overcoming challenges to seek his blessings.

Dindi – A procession that traverses’ distances of mind, heart, and the soul

The concept of Dindi or procession is itself a phenomenon beyond rationale. It is said that the Dindi or bringing worshippers together in this walk was introduced in early 1800s by Haibatrao Baba – a nobleman devoted to the Lord.

The procession carries the padukas of saints in palanquins, and bathing in River Bhima, the largest tributary of River Krishna. Devotees throng in large groups, delving in the ocean of faith, carrying forward with the unified spirit of devotion or bhakthi.

Immemorial flow of devotion on the sands of time

It is mesmerizing to witness a tradition followed for hundreds of years, millions of footsteps sanctifying the sands with faith and unconditional devotion to the Lord. The walk is also believed to reinforce the devotee’s faith in the Lord’s magnifying and omniscient presence, contributing to one’s own spiritual ascension.

A seamless human symphony plays out, as thousands of devotees gather along the way to support with food, water, shelter, human aid and other facilities, to ensure that the destination is reached, without obstacles.

A blend of passion, purpose, service and humanitarianism can be witnessed here, flowing quietly over the years, in tune with the melody of the Lord.

Did you know?

The Shri Vitthal Rukmani Mandir is in Pandharapur – Maharashtra, and dedicated to Vithoba, a form of Lord Vishnu and his consort, Rukmani, fondly called Rakhumai. It was built by King Vishnuvardhana in the 1152 CE. The significance of the temple is around the appearance of the Lord. It goes to say, Pundalik (a devoted son of Janudev and Satyavati lived in a forest called Dandirvan). Impressed by his devotion to parents, Lord Vishnu appears to bless him. However, Pundalik places a brick for the lord to stand on, requesting that he will greet the Lord only after finishing his duties to parents. The lord stands on a brick and waits for his devotee to come by, and gained the name Vithoba.

A confluence of compassionate human spirit

There is an undefinable depth of faith, level of surrender beyond known human limits, a coming together of people of all faiths and beliefs, united in their love for the lord.

An amalgam of diverse faiths, a confluence of cultural heterogeneity that reflects the compassionate human spirit, the Vithoba Wari is a celebration of the spiritual enigma that binds this nation.