
What Is Pandharpur Wari, And Why Did Abu Azmi's Remarks Spark Political Row In Maharashtra?
The Pandharpur Wari is one of Maharashtra's most iconic spiritual journeys, a foot pilgrimage that attracts over a million devotees, known as Warkaris
Maharashtra is witnessing an escalating debate over religious expression and public space usage as Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi's remarks on the ongoing Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage ignited a political firestorm. At the heart of the controversy is Azmi's comparison of the state's acceptance of massive Hindu pilgrimages like the Wari with the criticism directed at Muslims offering prayers in public spaces.
As political noise brews over Azmi's remarks over Pandharpur Wari, the spotlight has now inadvertently turned to a deeper question: what exactly is this pilgrimage that captures the heart of Maharashtra year after year?
The Pandharpur Wari is one of Maharashtra's most iconic spiritual journeys, a foot pilgrimage that attracts over a million devotees, known as Warkaris, who walk for days to reach the temple town of Pandharpur in Solapur district. Dedicated to Lord Vitthal – a form of Lord Krishna – and his consort Rukmini, the pilgrimage culminates on Ashadhi Ekadashi, the 11th lunar day of the bright fortnight of Ashadh (June–July).
This year, the Wari began on June 19 and will conclude on July 6, with the final darshan of the deity. The tradition stretches back over 700 years and is deeply embedded in the Bhakti movement, with roots linked to saints such as Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram, Namdev, and Eknath. It is often referred to as the 'Kumbh Mela of Maharashtra" and is considered the spiritual heartbeat of the state.
The Wari is not merely a religious procession; it is a profound symbol of Maharashtra's social cohesion. Men and women of all castes and religions walk together in devotional harmony. Warkaris chant bhajans, perform kirtans, and carry the padukas (holy footprints) of revered saints in ornately decorated palkhis (palanquins). They wear Tulsi malas, sport Gopichandan tilaks, and walk barefoot for nearly 250 kilometres.
One of the unique highlights of the pilgrimage is the Ringan Sohala, where a sacred horse is released to run in circles, believed to be ridden by the souls of saints like Dnyaneshwar or Tukaram. Devotees cheer with fervour, symbolising divine presence and spiritual ecstasy.
Moreover, the Wari has evolved with time. In recent years, it has incorporated modern elements like Swachhata Abhiyan (cleanliness drives) and Cycle Wari (environmental initiatives), promoting hygiene and sustainable pilgrimage practices.
In a society often fragmented by caste, class, and religious divides, the Wari presents a counter-narrative of unity and mutual respect. There is no discrimination on the basis of gender or biological processes; women walk with equal pride, and menstruation is not a taboo. Devotees share meals, sorrows, and songs, creating a mobile community bound by shared values.
As Maharashtra celebrates this ancient tradition, the political controversy surrounding Azmi's comments serves as a reminder of how easily faith can become a flashpoint in public discourse. But amid the noise, the Wari marches on – undaunted, inclusive, and rooted in devotion.
Azmi, the state president of the Samajwadi Party and legislator from Mumbai's Mankhurd–Shivaji Nagar constituency, recently made contentious comments during an interaction with journalists, referring to the massive foot pilgrimage that halts traffic across several districts. 'I was coming from Pune and was told to leave early as the roads will be blocked for wari towards Pandharpur. But we (Muslims) have never complained (about it). Muslims and Hindus walk shoulder to shoulder like brothers. But deliberate attempts are made to create a divide," Azmi, MLA from Mumbai's Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency, reportedly told PTI.
Azmi's remarks drew sharp political backlash, especially when he invoked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's controversial position on public prayers. Mosques are sometimes full during prayers so people offer namaz on the roads, which take 5-10 minutes, but the UP CM says those who indulge in such acts will lose their passports and driving licences, Azmi claimed. Muslims have never asked why festivals are celebrated on the roads, he added.
Dismissing Azmi's statements as a desperate bid for attention, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, 'Azmi is known to make controversial remarks to get publicity. I don't give any importance to this."
Echoing the sentiment, Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske, who is part of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said, 'There is grievance against the Muslim community due to leaders like Abu Azmi. The Pandharpur wari is older than the advent of Islam in India. Even Muslims take part in wari." Mhaske added that the wari by devotees is a very disciplined affair in which participants walk along the side of the road.
With inputs from PTI
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
maharashtra Pandharpur
Location :
Maharashtra, India, India
First Published:
June 23, 2025, 15:28 IST
News india What Is Pandharpur Wari, And Why Did Abu Azmi's Remarks Spark Political Row In Maharashtra?
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
BJP leader writes to CM, highlights dismal state of Chandni Chowk area
NEW DELHI: Highlighting the extremely poor administrative conditions of the Chandni Chowk Assembly, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor has requested CM Rekha Gupta to conduct an administrative inspection of the Old Delhi area. The BJP spokesperson has alleged that all the MLAs and councillors in Old Delhi belong to the Aam Aadmi Party and that they neither did any work while in power nor are focusing on development now. Kapoor, in a letter to the CM, stated that area MP Praveen Khandelwal has conducted four inspections over the past year, but officials from the police, PWD, DJB, and MCD have not taken any action. He said that the Chandni Chowk beautification project has completely failed — the market has become a jungle of illegal encroachments, unmanaged parking, filth, and rickshaws. Roads and footpaths are broken across areas like Cycle Market, Diwan Hall Road, Bhagirath Palace, Main Chandni Chowk, Church Mission Road, Khari Baoli, Lahori Gate Chowk, Chawri Bazaar, and Sitaram Bazaar. Around Town Hall, illegal parking is being operated through the collusion of some corrupt police and municipal officials — with illegal daily collections amounting to lakhs of rupees. Along Chandni Chowk's main road, unlicensed food stalls are openly being operated by Muslims — who are opening shops under Hindu or neutral names. 'I request you to kindly make a visit to assess the poor conditions of this area and the neighboring constituencies of Ballimaran, Sadar Bazar, and Matia Mahal, and issue appropriate directives for necessary corrective action,' Kapoor added in his letter. For the CM's review, Praveen has stated that in the entire constituency stretching from Majnu Ka Tila to Delhi Gate and from Azad Market to Kisan Ghat, the Delhi Jal Board has only one Junior Engineer (JE), two mates (laborers), no Assistant Engineer (AE), and no Executive Engineer (EE). This one JE has also recently been assigned as the nodal officer at the CM's office, so he now only works half-days in the constituency. In the Sadar area of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, there is no regular Deputy Commissioner — Additional Commissioner Leeladhar is only skilled in blocking work. He has also added that whatever little work gets done is purely due to the grace of the Commissioner. In Chandni Chowk Ward No. 74, the JE from the Maintenance Department who was sincerely working has been transferred due to the insistence of a corrupt senior officer at headquarters. The new JE, Kailash Yadav, does not report to duty for four days a week. Public Works Department (PWD) officers are tired of appealing to their seniors — no one listens. Despite a ban, vehicles — especially scooters — are freely plying in Chandni Chowk, but the Delhi Traffic Police is nowhere to be seen.


India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Avoid travel to border: India issues advisory on Cambodia amid clash with Thailand
The Indian Embassy in Cambodia on Saturday issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to avoid travel to border areas amid escalating armed violence with Thailand. The advisory follows a sharp intensification of clashes in long-disputed regions, where simmering tensions over the past few months now risk spiralling into a full-blown war."In view of the ongoing clashes at the Cambodia-Thailand border, Indian nationals are advised to avoid traveling to the border areas," the advisory read, also urging Indian nationals to approach the Embassy in case of an On Friday, the Indian Embassy in Thailand also advised against travel to more than 20 locations across its several provinces, including Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and between the South Asian neighbours entered its third consecutive day on Saturday, with new flashpoints emerging as both sides sought diplomatic backing, each claiming self-defence and urging the other to cease hostilities and begin negotiations. At least 31 people have been killed and more than 130,000 displaced in what is now the most intense fighting between the countries in 13 Thai navy reported fresh clashes early Saturday in the coastal province of Trat, marking a new front more than 100 kilometres from the main areas of conflict along the disputed have recently escalated since the fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier during a brief skirmish in late May. Both sides have since reinforced their troops, fuelling a full-blown diplomatic crisis that has pushed Thailand's already fragile coalition government to the verge of of Saturday, Thailand's death toll remained at 19 while the casualties in Cambodia rose to and Cambodia have long been at odds over jurisdictional claims along several undemarcated sections of their 817-km (508-mile) shared land border, with disputes centring particularly on the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th-century Preah the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia in 1962, tensions reignited in 2008 when Cambodia sought to designate the site as a UNESCO World Heritage move triggered years of intermittent skirmishes, resulting in at least a dozen deaths.- EndsTune InMust Watch


Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
UP Minister protests false FIR against BJP workers in Kanpur
Kanpur: Uttar Pradesh Minister Pratibha Shukla staged a dharna at a police station in Kanpur Dehat , demanding action against an SHO for allegedly filing a false case under the SC/ST Act against BJP workers. The protest, which lasted five hours, prompted the removal of the local police outpost in-charge and a departmental inquiry against the SHO, officials said. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav attacked the Yogi Adityanath government over police actions in the state. He also took potshots at Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak as he shared a video on X of the minister's purported video call with Shukla's husband, who expressed displeasure over the situation. Shukla, the Minister of State for Women's Welfare and Child Development, accused SHO Satish Singh of lodging a fabricated case under the SC/ST Act against BJP workers, calling it a 'deliberate attempt' to target them. 'This is not a previous Samajwadi regime. This is Yogi's government, and false and fabricated cases against BJP workers will not be tolerated,' Shukla told officials and media at the spot. Despite repeated efforts by Circle Officer (Sikandara) Priya Singh to persuade the minister to end the dharna, including a request to walk inside the SHO's chamber to speak to Superintendent of Police (Kanpur Dehat) Arvind Mishra, Shukla remained firm. 'Let the SP come out and speak in front of everyone,' she said, insisting that the matter be addressed publicly. 'I have never filed a police complaint in the last 25 years. But today, it's a matter of respect. I want to know under whose pressure this case was filed,' she asked the SP and DM. The protest was called off only after SP Arvind Mishra announced the removal of the local police outpost in-charge and ordered an inquiry against SHO Satish Singh, District Magistrate (Kanpur Dehat) Alok Singh told PTI. Additional SP Rajesh Pandey has been tasked with conducting a detailed inquiry and submitting a fact-finding report to the SP at the earliest. The ASP will examine the circumstances under which the cross FIR was lodged under the SC/ST Act and ensure that the investigation proceeds based strictly on facts, the DM added. During the protest, Shukla was joined by her husband and former MP Anil Shukla Warsi, who was purportedly seen talking to a senior Cabinet minister in the government, expressing displeasure over the situation. In a purported video which went viral, he was seen having an intense conversation with the senior Cabinet minister and he was heard saying: 'Were not you made the deputy CM to protect Brahmins? And now fake cases are being registered against them - they (BJP workers) are being abused and are just supposed to keep voting for you? This won't go on,' before the call ended abruptly. Yadav took a jibe on the BJP over the matter. In a post on X, he, without naming Pathak, said, 'DCM sir, first focus on your own people, then give advice to others. Earlier, there was only one DCM (Keshav Maurya) who was reprimanded, now both are reprimanded.' In another post, he took potshots at the Adityanath dispensation, saying, 'The ruling state minister herself is staging protest against her own police's actions, does the chief minister want anymore evidence?' According to officials, the controversy began after a road construction project was halted by local municipal councillor Shamshad Khan, prompting the minister's intervention. On Tuesday, an FIR was filed against Khan (corporator, Kanshiram Nagar) by contractor Zahoor Ahmad, alleging extortion, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult. On Thursday, Baburam Gautam filed a counter FIR against Abrar, Younus, Aslam, Yasir, and Shiva Pandey under various charges, including criminal intimidation, intentional insult, and relevant sections of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.