Pandharpur's ‘Vitthal-Rukmini' temple to stay for 24 hours during wari period
Kolhapur: As Ashadi Ekadashi nears, Pandharpur's Shri Vitthal-Rukmini temple committee has decided to keep the temple's doors open to devotees 24 hours starting Saturday midnight.
The call was made considering the large number of warkaris arriving in Pandharpur for the occasion as part of the Ashadi yatra.
Temple committee co-chairman Gahininath Maharaj Ausekar said, "Due to the increased flow of devotees, the muk-darshan facility will be open 24 hours, whereas darshan by touching the feet of Lord Vitthal and Rukmini will remain open for 22 hours and 15 minutes every day during the Wari period starting Friday late night onwards.
Due to the removal of the 'palang' (bed) of Shri Vitthal-Rukmini for the yatra period, royal ceremonies like kakda aarti, poshak, dhuparati, shejarati, etc, are being discontinued.
However, nityapooja, mahanaivedya and gandhakshata will continue till July 16."
Meanwhile, the palkhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj is in Satara district with over 2,000 police deployed for its safe passage during its total four-day halt in the district.
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Lakhs of devotees have joined the walk with the palanquin to Pandharpur.
Drone surveillance by the police department is keeping a check on the situation, while police in civil dress have also been deployed to nab pickpockets and hooligans.
Last week, superintendent of police Tushar Doshi and additional superintendent of police Dr Vaishali Kadukar planned the wari arrangements. A police officer said, "Traffic on the Wari route has been diverted and police camps have been set up along the entire route for security. CCTV cameras have been installed at the palkhi base and on the palkhi route. Additionally, police help centres have also been set up at various places along the palkhi route.
Anyone facing any problem during the procession is urged to contact the police department."
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