Some found it difficult to walk, one couldn’t see, but all in high spirits for Palkhi

What bound them together was their die-hard determination to be part of the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur as they walked with the Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi on the Pune-Mumbai highway.

Elderly citizens, one with walking difficulty and another with visual impairment, were trailing the wari and were seen at Nashik Phata Chowk must after the Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi left. (Express Photos by Manoj More)

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They seemed to have come from every nook and corner of Maharashtra. Some were past their 80s and barely able to walk, some sick and struggling to keep themselves going. But what bound them together was their die-hard determination to be part of the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur as they walked with the Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi on the Pune-Mumbai highway.

One group of “warkaris”, or dindi”, had a group of members who worked in a local sugar factory but had not taken leave throughout the year. “We save every leave for the ‘wari.’ We have to walk for 21 days in the ‘wari’ and therefore we ensure that we do not take leave from work or bunk unless we fall very sick,” said Nagnath Deokar, one of the group members. “Wari is an integral part of our life. We wait for the ‘wari’ throughout the year. We are basically farmers but our children take care of our farms when we are on ‘wari.,” said Rajaram Chopade, another member.

Then there were those like Valmiki Thorat, an elderly citizen, who is visually-impaired from birth, and was walking gingerly, much after the bigger groups of “warkaris” had left the Pune-Mumbai highway. Thorat, walking with a stick, was alone and taking one step at a time.

“I am from Daund. I have been participating in the wari for more than two decades. I am blind in both eyes since childhood…,” Thorat told this paper. Thorat said his wife passed away a few years ago and children are busy with their farm work. “But I want to keep myself busy on a godly path. I can’t see but I can walk and I will walk up to Pandharpur…I walk every year. I face no trouble. Citizens when they realise my situation rush forth to my help. Many offer me food and eatables on the way. God takes care of me..,” he said.

If the visually-impaired “warkari” displayed enough gumption, 70-year-old Tukaram Kharat was no less in any way. He could barely walk even with the help of a stick. He could not stand erect, he was bending his back and in pain. “A few years ago, a bull hit me from behind. I had suffered a back injury and was in hospital for days. After that, though I recovered, I cannot stand erect,” said Kharat.

Despite not being fit, Kharat said he did not want to miss out on the “wari.” “I don’t exactly remember the number of years I have been coming for the wari, but it has been very long. I get peace of mind by being on the godly path. I feel happy and satisfied. Not only me, but everyone who takes part in the ‘wari’ is a happy person. If we remain happy, everything around us comes alive…,” he said.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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