Partners in Faith

“We believe it is our duty to serve these devotees when they come to Pune. The palkhi is expected to arrive at Nana Peth on June 25. The devotees will be resting here for two days and the procession will resume on June 27. Our organisation provides free lodging and food to the warkaris,” says Ravindra Marwadkar,chairperson of Saklipeth Talim Rashtriya Maruti Mandir Sanstha,Nana Peth. “We also organise an art of living class for the devotees wherein we teach them Ramdev Baba’s Yog Pranayama,” he adds. Special care is taken of the aged and rejuvenating massage treatments are provided for them. “Bearing hygiene issues in mind,toilets are also made for the women. A 20X20 stage is built where we put up an entertainment show too for the devotees. Since most of these devotees are farmers and villagers,seminars about new techniques in farming,personal hygiene,the importance of education and other such topics are organised by us,” he informs.

Makeshift emergency rooms,first aid treatment,free check-ups and mobile vans are provided as medical facilities to the procession at rest. “We have volunteer doctors available throughout the two-day rest period. We have a tie-up with Sancheti Hospital in case any devotee needs blood transfusion. We also take care of the security of the procession which comes here to rest,” says Jaydeep K,head of Surya Mitra Mandal,Rasta Peth.

“The palkhi reaches Nana Peth by 7-8 pm. We welcome them with tea and snacks like poha,samosa,pakodas and kachoris,” says Mangesh Chandrakant Kopate,a member of the Shushakti Tarun Mandal who also has a Chinese fast food stall in Nana Peth. The organisation of 30-35 members,with Pramod Raut as its chairman,believes in taking some time out to serve these people who are on a holy journey. Devotional movies are also projected for the groups on large screens. “And the next morning,we serve breakfast which is followed by a lavish lunch. We arrange lodging for the people in the corporation area or in the parking spaces of Dhanlaxmi Society and other surrounding societies,” he says.

The Seva Dharm Mandal is a group of five businessmen who have been offering food and care to the warkaris for the last 20 years. “We set up a kitchen in a factory owned by one of founder members and hire a cook to prepare authentic Maharashtrian food for the devotees. Masala rice,puris,mixed vegetables,dal,jalebis and fruits are served to them for lunch. A bhajan and sangeet programme is also organised by us after which the devotees proceed to the Nudonga Vithoba Mandir for darshan ,” says Rajesh Podval,a founder member of the Mandal.