As the Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi (palanquin) arrived in Kasarwadi-Nashik Phata area in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Sunday, people who had lined up on both sides of the Pune-Mumbai highway scrambled for a darshan and a few of them even got hurt in the rush. Like every year, the palanquin left Akurdi, where it had stayed overnight after leaving the temple town of Dehu on Saturday. Accompanied by scores of warkaris, the palkhi left Akurdi around 5 am. “The people of Akurdi had made arrangements for the overnight stay of the palkhi. Food and refreshments were provided by local people,” said Iklas Sayyed, a local resident. The palanquin then arrived at HA Grounds, where the warkaris were provided refreshments by local residents, and left around 9 am. As it moved on to the Pune-Mumbai highway, a huge crowd on both sides desperately tried to get a darshan, with people jostling with one another a few of them even tripping to the ground. But the spirit was seen to be believed and the police found it difficult to control the crowds. At Nashik Phata, people from Bhosari, Pimple Guarav, Pimple Saudagar, Rahatni, Kasarwadi had assembled. Many occupied the triple flyover at Nashik Phata Chowk to get a bird’s eye view and capture the moment on their mobile phones. Right from Vallabhnagar, Nashik Phata to Kasarwadi, a sea of humanity thronged the streets. And many Good Samaritans distributed water bottles, bananas, biscuits, fruit and tea among the warkaris who moved along their dindis. Like every year, several residential societies along the Pune-Mumbai highway provided food to the warkaris. Jitendra Shah, a local resident, said, “More than 500 warkaris arrived on our Goyal Residency premises. We have been taking care of the warkaris for more than 10 years now. We had collected contributions from our society members to provide the warkaris with food .” The Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi reached Dapodi around 11 am. It will stay put for lunch and move towards Pune city in the afternoon. Meanwhile, the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhi, which took off from Alandi around 7.30 am, reached Magazine Chowk at Dighi around 11 am. “Because of the huge rush, the palkhi arrival was delayed at Magazine Chowk. Normally, it arrives around 9 am,” said Anna Bodade, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. The Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palanquin will also reach Pune city by late afternoon.