Pandharpur yatra is belived to be done from more than 700 years.
It is believed that in 13th century,the parents of Saint Dnyaneshwar started this pilgrimage which was later on popularised by Saint Dnyaneshwar.
Later on in the year 1685,Saint Narayan Maharaj,the son of Saint Tukaram started this pilgrimage as ‘waari’ of current trend.
The main Pandharpur Yatra starts from the Sant Tukaram Temple at Dehu.
The waarkaris or pilgrims follow the Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi procession.
This main procession is joined by other palkhis from other towns and villages.
Some of them carry ‘Palkis'(palanquins) with the image of a saint.Saint Dnaneshwar’s image is carried from Alandi, Tukaram’s image is carried from Dehu, Eknath’s from Paithan, Nivruttinath’s from Trimbakeshwar, Muktabai’s from Edlabad and Sopan’s from Sasvad.
Pandharpur Yatra takes place twice in a year one during Ashadhi Ekadasi (June – July) and another during Kartik Ekadasi (October -November).Pandharpur Yatra is a classic example of unparalleled devotion to a personal deity, a great aspect of Bhakti sect.
The Yatra is attracting more and more pilgrims every year.Pilgrims of all ages,young and old walk for kilometers barefooted singing the holy songs.Since thispilgrimage is done on foot, it is considered as physical penance,which purifies the physical body.
Pandharpur is located in Solapur District of Maharashtra.
The main Pandharpur Yatra starts from Dehu in Pune District.
From there it travels to Pune city, Alandi and finally the 21 day trek ends on the previous day of Ashadhi Ekadasi at Pandharpur.
Thousands of pilgrims called ‘warkaris’, walk all the way from Alandi to Pandharpur while singing the devotional songs,’Bhajans, of Pandurang (Vithoba).
This is called as ‘waari’ which is a 21 days trek and culminates on the Ashadhi Ekadashi day at Pandharpur.
The Pandharpur Yatra to the Vithoba temple at Pandarpur is an unparalleled pilgrimage that breaks the barriers of caste, creed, rich and poor.
