Pune: The 339th Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi procession began from Dehugaon at 2.15 pm on Friday and started its onward journey at 5.30 pm to Pandharpur.
The temple town was reverberating with the chants of ‘Jai Jai Ram Krushna Hari’, ‘Gyanba-Tukaram’ and ’Vitthal-Vitthal’ amidst beating of the Mrudang, the Taal and striking of the Veena strings. The sky was overcast and occasional light showers were welcoming warkaris from the nook and corner of Maharashtra.
Earlier, senior warkari and Pandharinath Maharaj Tawre performed the Pooja. MP Shrirang Barne and MP Sunetra Pawar, MLA Sunil Shelke accompanied by his wife, MLA Mahesh Landge, MLA Ashwini Jagtap and MLC Uma Khapre were present.
Women warkaris carrying a Tulsi Vrundavan on their head and men warkaris carrying the Bhagwat Dharma Pataka (traditional flag) began the annual Ashadhi Wari towards its first stay at Inamdarwada.
The surroundings of Shri Kshetra Dehugaon was teeming with lakhs of warkaris from the wee hours of Friday. They were taking a holy dip in the Indrayani river and heading towards the temples. According to the annual tradition Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir and Sheela Mandir Santhan President Purushottam Maharaj More, Palkhi Sohla Head Manik Maharaj More and Santosh Maharaj More performed the Mahapuja at 5 am. The Palkhi was brought to Inamdarwada, where Dilip Maharaj More Gosavi worshipped the symbolic padukas.
