Pune city Wednesday morning bade farewell to the Palkhis of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and around 6 lakh devotees accompanying them as the two processions resumed their respective journeys to Pandharpur after a day of rest Tuesday. The Palkhis, or the processions of palanquins carrying the Paduka or the symbolic footwear of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, began their three-week-long journeys on June 10 and 11, respectively, from the temple towns of Dehu and Alandi near Pune. The two Palkhis are slated to reach their destination in Pandharpur on June 29, on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi. The two processions reached Pune city Monday. The Palkhi of Sant Tukaram Maharaj took rest at Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir and that of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj at the Palkhi Vithoba Mandir Tuesday. Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik said, "The two Palkhi processions reached Pune amidst elaborate police deployment to ensure law and order. The force deployment and arrangements will remain in place until Palkhis leave Pune for their respective journeys." Police Commissioner Retesh Kumaarr said, "Based on the inputs received from officers, we estimate the number of Warkaris in two processions together to be around six lakhs." The procession of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj undertook its journey via Bhavani Peth, Ramoshi Gate, Bhavani Mata Mandir, Mukti Fauj Chowk in Pune Camp, Pulgate Chowky, Mamma Devi Chowk, Solapur Road, Hadapsar Gadital and moved out of Pune city towards Saswad on the way to Pandharpur. Meanwhile, the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi undertook the journey from Samadhan Chowk, A D Camp Chowk and then moved out of Pune city towards Loni Kalbhor on the way to Pandharpur. On Wednesday, Pune city traffic police enforced brief traffic changes and diversions when the Palkhis moved out from various areas of the city. These changes were lifted soon after the devotees left the city.
