PUNE, July 2, 2013: The city was awash in the bright colours of the annual Pandharpuryatra on Monday as a sea of warkaris (pilgrims) walked through its streets, accompanying the palkhis ofSantDnyaneshwar and SantTukaram, as part of their 240-kilometre pilgrimage to the abode of their revered God, Vitthala.

It was a sight to behold as lakhs of devotees, young and old, thronged the city's roads, saffron flags hoisted high in the air, their faith and devotion towards their god making their feet move tirelessly as they danced to the rhythmic chants of "VitthalaVitthala, Jai HariVitthala", the sound of percussion beats and string instruments filling the air. The palkhis, covered with flowers and garlands were led by equally decorated horses.

The devotees had started their day early, with the palkhi carrying the padukas (sacred footwear) of Sant Dnyaneshwar beginning its journey from Gandhiwada at 9 am. During the day, it passed through Dighi and Vishrantwadi before reaching Patil estate chowk where it was joined by the palkhi of Sant Tukaram that had started its journey in the morning from Vitthal Mandir in Akurdi.

From Patil estate chowk, the two palkhis followed a common route, passing through the college of engineering chowk, Sancheti chowk, Shimla office chowk, Veer Chapekar chowk, Fergusson college road, and Laxmi road, before finally ending the day's journey at Palkhi Vithoba Mandir and Shri Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir in Nana Peth.

According to estimates, more than six lakh warkaris from all over the state as well as from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are participating in the pilgrimage this year. On Monday, over three lakh warkaris passed through the city, en route to Pandharpur along with the two palkhis. While some embarked on the pilgrimage to simply follow a family tradition, others participated to express their gratitude to their God for blessing them with a year of prosperity.

Prahlad Jadhav, who was leading a dindi (group) of 350 pilgrims from Ahmedpur in Latur district, said the yatra is a form of service to God. "It is our way of expressing our love and devotion to our God. Feeling of brotherhood towards each other increases with this yatra, and so does happiness and prosperity in the family," he said.

Another devotee, Birajdar Dattatre said he was undertaking the yatra for the fifth time this year. "My mother had participated in it for 35 years, and I promised her to carry forward the tradition. This year is even more special, because the rains have been good so far. We are now going to pray to God for them to continue," he said.

It was the fifth consecutive yatra also for 13-year-old Sheetal Khokre, the youngest in a group of devotees from Latur district. "I don't feel tired walking, as long as we chant the name of God," she said.

For Chandrakant Shinde from Raigad district, who undertook the journey for the 20th time this year, it was his way of expressing his gratitude to God. "We are going to our God's home, our first home," he said.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 2, 2013.