“Sankirtan means to chant that Holy names of the Lord and to give up all other engagements. The chanting is a process of purification” – Srila Prabhupada – Aug 1973 England

ISKCON Dindi Glimpse

For centuries, devotees have undertaken the Dindi Padayatra to Pandharpur, a journey steeped in history and overflowing with spiritual significance.

Dindi Padayatra to Pandharpur

ISKCON invites you to join this sacred tradition, where every step resonates with the melodious chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra

Your contribution can make a life-changing difference for thousands of pilgrims. No service is small in the eyes of the Lord.

To sustain and expand this wonderful service, we need your heartfelt support. Every rupee you donate goes toward:

• 🍛 Free meals (prasadam) for thousands of Warkaris

• 🛏️ Clean resting areas and shaded shelters

• 🩺 Medical support and basic hygiene facilities

• 🎶 Spiritual programs: kirtans, bhajans, discourses

Upholding a Sacred Tradition

Cow protection (Go-raksha) has always been a cornerstone of Vedic culture, revered in scriptures as a sacred duty of humanity. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), following in the footsteps of its founder Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, actively promotes and practices cow protection as a form of devotional service. Among its many centers, ISKCON Pandharpur stands out as a shining example of go-seva in action.

A Sacred Setting: Pandharpur

Located on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River in Maharashtra, Pandharpur is one of India’s holiest pilgrimage sites, home to Lord Vitthala, an incarnation of Krishna. ISKCON’s temple here not only serves as a spiritual hub but also as a base for sustainable rural development and cow-centered living.

The Goshala: Shelter for Sacred Cows

At the heart of ISKCON Pandharpur’s cow protection initiative is its goshala (cow sanctuary). The goshala provides shelter to dozens of cows, bulls, and calves, many of whom are rescued from slaughterhouses or abandoned when no longer considered economically productive. Unlike commercial farms, these cows are never exploited for profit. Instead, they are lovingly cared for throughout their natural lives.

Key features of the ISKCON Pandharpur Goshala include:

• Natural, cruelty-free care: The cows are not forcefully milked; only surplus milk is used for the Deities and devotees.

• Organic feeding: Cows are fed natural fodder, free from chemical additives.

• Medical care and protection: Regular veterinary checkups ensure the cows remain healthy and well-treated.

• Retirement care: Even non-milking and aged cows are treated with dignity and never sold or slaughtered.

Integration with Spiritual Life

Cow seva is not seen as a separate activity but an integral part of devotional service. Cows are considered sacred and directly linked to Lord Krishna, who is often depicted tending cows as a young boy in Vrindavan. In ISKCON Pandharpur:

• Milk and ghee from the cows are used in Deity worship and cooking prasadam.

• Devotees engage in daily seva—feeding, grooming, and speaking to the cows.

• Cow dung and urine are used in eco-friendly farming and as natural disinfectants, following Ayurvedic traditions.

Education and Awareness

ISKCON Pandharpur also promotes cow protection through education and outreach:

• Workshops and school visits are organized to teach the importance of go-seva.

• Visitors and pilgrims are encouraged to participate in cow feeding and seva.

• The center promotes sustainable agriculture by demonstrating how cow-based farming is both spiritually uplifting and ecologically sound.

Aligned with Prabhupāda’s Vision

Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized cow protection as one of the pillars of a truly Krishna-conscious society. He wrote:

“Cow protection is the business of the human society. Simple living and high thinking. Not to kill the cow but to protect them.”
(Śrīla Prabhupāda, Lecture, 1974)

ISKCON Pandharpur embodies this vision by creating a lifestyle centered around devotion, simplicity, and reverence for all life, especially the sacred cow.

A Tradition of Devotion and Service

Every year, during the holy month of Ashadha, millions of Warkaris (pilgrims) walk hundreds of kilometers in a sacred procession (wari) to reach Pandharpur, the abode of Lord Vitthala. These devotees, coming from all corners of Maharashtra and beyond, undertake this arduous journey chanting the holy names and singing the glories of the Lord.

In the midst of this spiritual ocean of faith and simplicity, ISKCON Pandharpur shines as a lighthouse of devotional hospitality, offering free, wholesome, and sanctified food (prasadam) to thousands of Warkaris under its noble Annadan Seva initiative.

Annadan: A Sacred Offering

In the Vedic tradition, Annadan—the act of offering food to others—is considered the highest charity. Śrīla Prabhupāda, the founder-ācārya of ISKCON, emphasized the importance of feeding the hungry not just physically, but spiritually—by offering them Krishna-prasadam, food first offered to the Lord.

Following his instructions, ISKCON Pandharpur has been tirelessly distributing free prasadam to Warkaris during their annual pilgrimage for years, and the scale of this effort continues to grow.

Feeding the Souls of Pilgrims

Key features of ISKCON Pandharpur’s Annadan to Warkaris:

• Mass Distribution: During the peak of the yatra, over 50,000 plates of prasadam are served daily—hot, nutritious, and spiritually sanctified. Daily more than 500 plates of prasadam are served

• Pure, Sattvic Meals: The food is cooked without onion or garlic, in line with Vedic principles, and offered to the deities before distribution.

• Volunteer Force: Hundreds of volunteers from across India and the world come to serve. Devotees rise early, chant, cook, and serve tirelessly with love and devotion.

• Eco-Friendly Practices: Leaf plates, reusable utensils, and organic waste management help minimize the environmental impact of this massive service.

A Shelter for Tired Feet and Hungry Hearts

For many Warkaris, ISKCON Pandharpur is more than just a food stop—it is a spiritual oasis:

• A place where chanting and kirtan uplift the atmosphere.

• A clean, welcoming space where hospitality is offered with folded hands and smiling hearts.

• A reminder that Krishna consciousness is about serving others as the Lord’s children.

Warkaris often express their gratitude with joyful tears and heartfelt blessings, touched by the quality and care in every plate of prasadam they receive.

Empowered by Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Vision

This service spirit traces directly back to Śrīla Prabhupāda, who said:

“No one within ten miles of a temple should go hungry. Everyone should get prasadam.”

ISKCON Pandharpur takes this instruction to heart, especially during the Pandharpur Wari, when the opportunity to serve becomes not only a necessity but a sacred privilege.