On the Palkhi trail: Doctor, designer, civil contractor

Om Dhadwe, a UX designer and a photographer, said he was attending the Palkhi for the second time and was moved by the experience. “I just saw a couple… The husband was blind but was so determined that he kept walking with the help of his wife. If this is not faith, I don’t know what else is,” he said.

Nagesh Paiphankar, a civil contractor from Parbhani, said, “I have been part of the procession for the last seven years. I have high blood pressure and sugar, but taking part in the Palkhi makes me feel good, and I have never faced any health-related issues from this.”

Meanwhile, along the main route in the city on FC Road, local residents stepped out to support pilgrims moving with the Sant Dyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi which arrived on Monday afternoon.

Vyankatesh Choulwar, owner of Ganesh Bhel, provided tea and packaged snacks. “When I was a child, my father and uncle used to call the Warkaris home. I have been doing this service for the past 8-10 years along with family and friends,” he said.

On the same stretch, a group of volunteers who called themselves “The Samartha Group” distributed fruits and ladoo among devotees. “We have put aside some part of our salary to sponsor food for the Warkaris,” one of them said.