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The Hindu
20 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Maharashtra govt announces ex-gratia aid for warkaris in case of mishaps during Pandharpur pilgrimage
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) announced that it will provide ex-gratia assistance of ₹4 lakh to the next of kin of warkaris (devotees of Lord Vitthal) in the event of accidental death during the annual Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. The announcement was made through a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Revenue and Forest Department under the 'Vitthal Rakhumai Warkari Yojana – 2025', aimed at extending financial relief to pilgrims undertaking the spiritually significant journey on foot or via private or public transport. Aid for disability and hospitalisation According to the GR, in case of injury or disability during the Wari, warkaris who suffer 40% to 60% of disability will be eligible for ₹74,000, while those with disability exceeding 60% will receive ₹2.5 lakh. The State will also provide medical assistance for hospitalisation — warkaris admitted for over one week will be eligible for ₹16,000, and those hospitalised for less than a week will receive ₹5,400. The scheme will be in effect for incidents occurring during the Wari period from June 16 to July 10, 2025, covering devotees journeying to Shri Kshetra Pandharpur, a prominent temple town in Solapur district, known for the veneration of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rakhumai. Application process and verification To claim the financial assistance, the concerned warkari or their heir must submit an application to the District Collector, along with a certificate issued by the Tehsildar confirming the individual's participation in Ashadhi Wari–2025. All Tehsildars have been directed to verify such claims and issue certificates accordingly, the GR said. The District Collectors have been authorised to verify applications and sanction the aid after reviewing the Tehsildar's certificate, along with death or medical documentation substantiating the mishap. Following the conclusion of the Wari on July 10, all district collectors are required to submit a comprehensive report detailing the assistance provided in their respective jurisdictions by July 30, 2025.
The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
Maharashtra govt to pay financial aid to warkaris in case of accidents during pilgrimage
Pune, July 1 (PTI) The Maharashtra government on Tuesday said it will provide compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of warkaris or devotees of Lord Vitthal in the event of their death due to an accident during the annual pilgrimage to the temple town of Pandharpur. According to a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the revenue department, a warkari who suffers 40 to 60 per cent disability due to an accident during the wari will be entitled to get Rs 74,000, while those with over 60 per cent disability will receive Rs 2.5 lakh.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
A musical ode to Vithhal devotees with Maha's abhang tradition
1 2 3 Pune: Music often joins hands with devotion. And when it does, it erases divides of language, musical genre, background and religion, says Carnatic vocalist Ranjani. She is talking about abhang, a form of devotional poetry and singing in the Marathi tradition by Maharashtra's saint-poets, especially associated with the warkari sect and the worship of Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur. Ranjani adds, "Musicians from south India cherish and celebrate their love of abhangs, and so do rasikas." Timed in the afterglow of the warkari season, as Pune catches its breath after the rhythmic thunder of dindis and the saffron surge of devotion moved on toward Pandharpur, Bolava Vitthal concert returns for its 20th edition on June 28. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune To be held at Balgandharva Rangmandir, JM Road, this musical pilgrimage will offer the city a soul-stirring continuation of what the Palkhi left behind: faith, worship, and the sound of saints echoing through time. "This isn't just a performance," says Shashi Vyas, founder of Pancham Nishad Creatives. "The idea was born with Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar as a shared act of devotion. Over two decades, it grew from a small stage event into a movement of sacred sound while keeping its roots in musical and spiritual purity." This year's concert will feature Aarya Ambekar, for whomit's a personal journey through nostalgia. "I still remember the excitement of getting dressed in a white Nauwari saree with a typical varkari style gandh. We'd make thermocol Palkhis at home and carry them to school. Those small rituals as a child unknowingly sowed the seeds of a lifelong emotional connection with this tradition. So when I perform devotional music today, especially abhangs, it feels like I'm not just singing; I'm reliving those moments," said Ambekar. Siddhartha Belmannu and the Carnatic vocal duo Ranjani–Gayatri will also be performing in the are known not just for their virtuosity, but for how they channel the emotion behind abhangs. Accompanying them will be Prasad Padhye (tabla), Sukhad Munde (pakhawaj), Aditya Oke (harmonium), Shadaj Godkhindi (bansuri), and Suryakant Surve (additional rhythms). "Our childhood and growing up years in Mumbai gave us an early exposure to Marathi and abhangs, and it felt very intuitive to sing abhangs—both in terms of lyrics and musicality. The journey sensitised us to robust and melodious voice throw, the beautiful sounds and accent of Marathi, the spiritual message of the great saints, and the simple, raw yet profound renderings of songs by devotees," said Ranjani, adding, "Though the abhang originates in Maharashtra, this musical form captured the imagination of musicians and music lovers across boundaries—both throughout India and globally. The heady combination of powerful poetry or Santvani that is rendered with vigour, devotion, and universally appealing musicality erases all divides." Gayatri said, "Our style of abhang singing in concerts celebrates both Hindustani and Carnatic approaches. Music, no matter how aesthetically beautiful and melodious, touches the heart only when melody fuses with bhakti bhav, and this synergy of devotion and musical expression happens effortlessly during the time of Aashad. Singing here is not a task; it's a blessing." Siddhartha Belmannu, trained in the Kirana and Gwalior gharanas, finds deep resonance with the abhang tradition. "While one style keeps emotion at the forefront, the other explores technical expertise. Blending the two while maintaining the delicate balance is what makes my Guru Vinayak Torvi Ji's music special, and as his disciple, I try to carry the legacy with my music," said Belmannu.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
The Wari's moving kitchen: How Pune feeds thousands of pilgrims, one meal at a time
Written by Divyaja Kalyankar Every June, Pune turns into a spiritual crossroad during the annual Wari pilgrimage as thousands of devotees walking from Alandi and Dehu to the temple town of Pandharpur converge in the city. As the chants of 'Mauli Mauli' echo through the streets, behind the scenes, something equally powerful simmers, a quiet culinary movement run entirely on faith and seva that sees Pune transform into a massive, open-air kitchen that feeds thousands of Warkaris. From family-run food stalls to large community kitchens, the scale of food operations during the Wari in Pune is staggering. According to estimates from a few organisations involved in the Wari every year, over 1.5 lakh Warkaris receive at least two free meals in Pune over two days. And yet, there is no single organiser, no central fund. Just people, cooking for people. 'We made food for 2,000 Warkaris yesterday and did not even notice how the day passed,' says Swapnil Doke, a farmer-turned-social worker from Baramati who sets up his free food stall every year near Nana Peth. 'When you are doing it for Mauli's devotees, you do not get tired. You get lighter,' he adds, referring to Lord Vitthal. The meals themselves are traditional and nourishing, designed for pilgrims walking nearly 250 km in the monsoon. Most common dishes include poha, khichdi, dal-rice, usal-poli, and sheera. Some groups also prepare pithla-bhakri or sabudana khichdi for easier digestion. Sonali Pundge, a homemaker from Kothrud, has been cooking at home for three weeks in advance. 'I dry roast ingredients, prepare masalas, and freeze chutneys. We serve about 300 people at our doorstep. My children help distribute. This is our way of connecting with Lord Vitthal,' she explains. The generosity does not stop with just food. Many locations across FC Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Policeline, Rokdoba temple, Hadapsar, Erandwane, and Nana Peth also provide Warkaris with drinking water, fruit, chhaas, and buttermilk, and some even offer first aid and shelter from the rain. A group of software engineers from Baner, calling themselves 'Bhakt Byte', has taken a modern approach. They have set up hydration points with energy drinks and electrolyte water outside local stores. 'We may not be able to cook like our parents, but we can still serve,' says Akshay Kulkarni, one of the volunteers. Yet, amid all this goodwill, there are logistical challenges. Sudden rain, transportation delays, and swelling crowds strain resources. Still, the system holds. Sangeeta Pawar, a sociologist studying Wari dynamics, explains, 'It is a fascinating case of decentralised service. There is no contract, no money, no monitoring, just a moral agreement between society and faith.' And while data may reflect fluctuations in the number of Warkaris this year, the spirit of giving remains as abundant as ever. 'I came with nothing but Lord Vitthal's name,' says Shivaji Wankhede, a first-time Warkari from Akola. 'I have eaten five times in two days without asking once. This city has fed me like a mother,' he adds. Wankhede's experience reinforces that for Pune, feeding the Warkaris is not just a ritual. It is a return to its roots, a reminder that in a world driven by transaction, there is still space for devotion without expectation. And in that space, over a warm bowl of khichdi or sheera, strangers become family, even if just for a moment under the cloudy sky. (The author is an intern with The Indian Express.)
Deccan Herald
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
SP MLA Azmi being forced to make controversial statements: Cong leader Wadettiwar
Azmi on Sunday said Muslims have never complained about 'wari', the foot march by devotees of Lord Vitthal to the temple town of Pandharpur, though some leaders like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath keep opposing namaz on the streets.
