Ashadi Ekadashi in Pandharpur | ISKCON Bhuvaikuntha

local_floristWari Mahotsav • Pandharpur

Ashadi Ekadashi & Wari Mahotsav Gallery

Ashadi Ekadashi marks the beginning of the holy Wari pilgrimage to the temple of Lord Vithoba in Pandharpur. Walk through the palkhi, the dindi, the ghats of Chandrabhaga and the darshan of Sri Sri Vitthal Rukmini in pictures.

directions_walkAbout 250 km Wari on foot

celebrationPalkhi procession

graphic_eqBhajans & Abhangs

restaurantTulsi-pana & Charity

Relevance in Maharashtra

The Living Ocean of Hari Naam

Sri Sri Vitthal Rukmini darshan on Ashadi Ekadashi

Importance

Why Ashadi Ekadashi Matters

Ashadi Ekadashi marks the beginning of the holy pilgrimage known as "Wari" to the temple of Lord Vithoba in Pandharpur. It holds immense importance for devotees as it symbolizes the union of the devotee (bhakta) with the divine (bhagwan).

Devotees reach Pandharpur on the day of Ashadi Ekadashi and stay overnight in the town. They offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Vithoba. The temple is beautifully decorated, and there is a divine ambiance that engulfs the entire area.

Many devotees observe a fast on Ashadi Ekadashi, abstaining from food and water for the entire day. It is believed to cleanse the mind and body and is considered an act of devotion. Some people take a vow to undertake the Wari pilgrimage every year.

Palkhi

The Palakhi Procession

The highlight of the Ashadi Ekadashi celebrations is the Palakhi (palanquin) procession. The deities of Lord Vithoba and his consort, Rukmini, are placed in beautifully decorated palanquins and taken in a grand procession through the town. Devotees pull the chariots with ropes, and it is considered an honor to participate in this act of devotion.

Tradition

The Wari Tradition

The Wari tradition involves a long and arduous journey on foot from various towns and villages in Maharashtra to Pandharpur. Devotees, called "Warkaris," undertake this pilgrimage, covering a distance of approximately 250 kilometers, singing devotional songs and chanting the name of Lord Vithoba.

Devotion

Bhajans, Abhangs & Tulsi-pana

Bhajans and abhangs (traditional Marathi devotional poetry) dedicated to Lord Vithoba are sung throughout the pilgrimage. On the day after Ashadi Ekadashi, devotees break their fast with a special meal known as "Tulsi-pana" and engage in acts of charity by distributing food, clothes and other essentials to the needy.

Consecrated Gallery