Warkaris in city, Puneites out to lend a hand

The processions began at 6.30 am when they left from the Vitthal Temple in Akurdi. At 10.30 am, they reached Nashik Phata and an hour later at Dapodi. After a wait of one-and-half hour that included a protest by a political group over road-widening issue, the procession left for Pune, entering the city through different routes. Around 5.20 pm, the first procession of Sant Tukaram Maharaj reached Sancheti Chowk while the other palkhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj was still held up at Sangamwadi owing to protests over a recent court order.

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Meanwhile, as hundreds of dindis (groups) entered the city roads, with some carrying idols of Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram and others carrying Tulsi pots on their heads, roads that are used to vehicular traffic saw people moving about freely. Some groups even painted Rangolis on them while vehicle drivers stood at the sides patiently waiting for hours for the procession to pass onwards.

The enthusiasm of both warkaris as well as onlookers was contagious. Mahesh Vichare, a standard VIII student of Akola, was taking part in the procession for the first time. “My father does it every year and I always wanted to come but he asked me to wait since it involves a lot of walking. But this year, I am very excited and hope to complete the journey,” he said.

Along highways and major roads, people had come with food packets, water bottles and first aid kits for the passing warkaris, irrespective of their religion or caste. Malkit Singh Bagga, resident of Moti Baug, came out to distribute food packets with his family. “We believe in humanity as the biggest religion and come here each year to distribute the food packets as a mark of respect to their faith,” he said.

Another such family was Ravindra Pharande, director of Pharande Spaces, who stood with his family distributing food packets. “We have been doing this for several years and the blessings that warkaris give us is what keeps us motivated to come again next year,” he said.

A group of employees of the PMC’s garden department came with 300 kilos of ladoos and farsan for the devotees. “Buying in such bulk quantity does pinch our pocket but it gives us great satisfaction. As soon as our duty got over at 12, we rushed here,” said Rakesh Gaikwad.

At many places, water tankers had been parked by many companies and NGOs with taps for warkaris to freshen themselves while medical camps with free first aid and medical help was also being delivered at regular intervals by private groups. Some even delivered physiotherapy and massages to the tired warkaris.

The Tukaram palkhi will halt at Nivdunga Vithoba temple in Nana Peth and the Dnyaneshwar palkhi will halt at Palkhi Vithoba Temple in Bhavani Peth. The processions will stay in Pune on Saturday. On Sunday, Tukaram Palkhi will go via Solapur road while the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhi will go via Saswad and Jejuri.