The Warkari Yatra is that time of the year when streams of singing and dancing devotees head for Pandharpur to seek the blessings of the god Vithal. Lakhs of men, women and children leave their homes in different parts of Maharashtra to spend over two weeks walking in the yatra.
The Vari (procession) time of the year is back in the monsoons. Asia’s largest pilgrimage, Alandi-Pandharpur Yatra is undertaken by many people in Maharashtra and several parts of India. The Alandi-Pandharpur Yatra is seen to be the most sacrosanct procession with a history as old as eight-sanctuaries. The tradition is traces back to the Sant Dyaneshwar who founded the Bhagats sect adopted by Sant Namdeo, Sant Tukaraam and Eknath in due course of time. All these Saints contributed immensely to Varkari tradition. Thus, the Vari is the procession which carries the Padukas, the wooden footwear of the four saints to Lord Vitthal’s Temple in Pandharpur.
Every year more than 150 Palkhis (palanquin) commence from southern and western parts of India, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Devouts walk for 10 days to three weeks to two months during the yatras. The concluding date is fixed but there is no fixed date to star the yatra. Varkaris reach Pandharpur on the Ashadi Ekadashi in July.
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