Pandharpur Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage.

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Tomorrow is the holy day of Ashadhi Ekadashi. Without any invitation lakhs of pilgrims from all corners of India come to Pandharpur to meet their beloved Lord Vitthal, who is named as Vithu Mauli means mother of the whole world. Extra buses & trains are allocated for this festival. But most surprising thing is that about 10 lakhs pilgrims come by foot, walking. Some of them even walk barefoot. Saint Dnyaneshwar started this tradition where all along this journey worshippers used to sing traditional songs called Abhangas. This journey is called as Wari & the devotees are called Warkaris. Devotees of all age group form Dindy & celebrate the time forgetting all their tentions & problems. Their are about 250 Dindies(groups) & about 40 Palkhis including Palkhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram & many other santas. They all reach their destination after about 21 days walking about 450 kilometers distance. This is going on every year from about 300 years. There are many things as Bhajanas, kirtanas, in the wari. One of them is Ringan. A horse of Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi or Sant Tukaram palkhi dances before the palkhi & runs round between the lakhs of pilgrims without hurting anyone. Pandharpur Yatra is a classic example of unparelleled devotion to a personal diety, a great aspect of Bhakti sect. This Yatra also takes place during Kartik Ekadashi in November. The amazing fact is that the Yatra is attracting more & more pilgrims each year. You can see slideshow of Wari on esakal.com or Vitthal blog.