The Great Varkari Pilgrimage

Pandharpur Wari

700 years of walking devotion — from Alandi to Pandharpur, 250km on foot, in the name of Vitthal.

About the Wari SwarSewa Event

What is the Pandharpur Wari?

Wari
Etymology

The word Wari comes from the idea of a recurring visit or sacred turn — a promise to return to Pandharpur and seek Lord Vitthal’s darshan. A Warkari is one who undertakes this Wari, walking with faith, song, humility and devotion towards Mauli. 

Wari
Vitthal as Mauli

In the Warkari tradition, Vitthal is lovingly called Mauli, meaning mother. This makes devotion deeply personal and comforting. A mother does not ask for status, perfection, or ritual purity; she simply welcomes her child. Vitthal as Mauli offers unconditional belonging to every devotee.

Wari
The Warkari Tradition

Warkaris are devotees who follow the path of Bhakti through simple living, Namasmaran, Abhangas, Seva & the annual journey to Pandharpur. Their tradition is rooted in equality, humility & community, where every pilgrim walks not only towards Vitthal but towards inner devotion.

700 Years of History

The saints who built and sustained the Wari tradition across centuries

1100–1200 CE
Pundalika
Pundalika’s legend gives Pandharpur its sacred foundation. Known as the devoted son whose service to his parents brought Lord Vitthal to his doorstep, his story explains the iconic brick on which Vitthal stands. It established the idea that family duty and devotion to God are inseparable.
1206–1296 CE
Sant Dnyaneshwar
Sant Dnyaneshwar gave the Bhakti movement a powerful Marathi voice through the Dnyaneshwari, his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. By bringing spiritual wisdom into the language of the people, he made devotion accessible to all. His connection with Alandi remains central to the Wari tradition.
1270–1350 CE
Sant Namdev
Sant Namdev carried Vitthal Bhakti beyond Maharashtra through his Abhangas and Kirtans. Born into an artisan community, he helped make devotion participatory and open to all, without dependence on caste, priesthood, or Sanskrit learning. His compositions also found a place in the Sikh Guru Granth Sahib.
C. 1300–1400 CE / 1534–1599 CE
Sant Eknath
Sant Eknath strengthened the Warkari tradition by writing in simple Marathi and making spiritual teachings available to common people. He is remembered for his compassion towards marginalised communities and his role in preserving and renewing the Bhakti tradition through literature, devotion, and social inclusion.
1608–1649 CE
Sant Tukaram
Sant Tukaram gave Marathi Bhakti some of its most beloved Abhangas. His poetry spoke directly to Vitthal with honesty, pain, surrender, and love. Despite opposition from social authorities, his words survived and became the devotional voice of ordinary people, deeply shaping the Wari’s emotional spirit.
Early 19th Century
Haibatravbaba Arphalkar
Haibatravbaba Arphalkar helped organise the modern Palkhi system, giving the Wari its disciplined structure. He formalised the annual processions of Sant Dnyaneshwar’s Padukas from Alandi and Sant Tukaram’s Padukas from Dehu, defining routes, halts, schedules, and the organised movement of Dindis.
20th Century onward
Sant Gadge Baba & Sant Tukdoji Maharaj
In the modern era, saints such as Gadge Baba and Tukdoji Maharaj connected the Warkari spirit with social reform. Their work brought attention to cleanliness, equality, anti-caste awareness, rural upliftment, and responsible community life, showing that Bhakti must also be lived through service and social responsibility.
Wari History

The Route — Alandi to Pandharpur

250 kilometres · 18 days · The path walked by millions

Alandi

Alandi — the start

Start
Alandi — Dnyaneshwar Samadhi
The journey begins at Alandi, the sacred samadhi place of Sant Dnyaneshwar. His Padukas are placed in the Palkhi with devotion, and Warkaris begin their walk towards Pandharpur with Abhangas, faith, discipline, and Mauli’s remembrance.
Day 2–3
Pune / Hadapsar
As the Palkhi reaches Pune and Hadapsar, the devotion of the Wari enters a larger public space. Streets fill with chants of “Vitthal Vitthal”, while devotees, families, and communities welcome the Warkaris with food, water, flowers, and heartfelt Seva.
Day 5–6
Saswad
At Saswad, the Wari carries forward its rhythm of walking, singing, and collective prayer. The halt becomes a moment of rest and renewal, where Dindis gather, Bhajans continue, and the journey towards Mauli deepens with every step.
Day 8–9
Lonand / Taradgaon
The route through Lonand and Taradgaon reflects the disciplined movement of the Wari. Warkaris walk in their Dindis, guided by flags, music, and shared devotion, turning the long road into a living stream of Bhakti.
Day 12–13
Phaltan Area
By the time the Palkhi reaches the Phaltan region, the physical effort of the journey is balanced by inner strength. Villages offer Seva, pilgrims continue their Abhangas, and the longing for Pandharpur grows stronger with each passing halt.
DAY 15–16
Wakhri — Processions Join
Wakhri is one of the most emotional moments of the Wari, where the great Palkhi traditions come together before entering Pandharpur. The meeting of processions symbolises unity, shared devotion, and the collective return of the saints’ followers to Vitthal Mauli.
ASHADHA EKADASHI
Pandharpur
The journey reaches its sacred fulfilment at Pandharpur, the home of Lord Vitthal. After days of walking, singing, and serving, Warkaris seek darshan of Mauli, carrying the dust of the road, the strength of faith, and the joy of arrival.
Pandharpur

Pandharpur — the destination

How to Participate

A guide for first-time and returning Warkaris

A Dindi is a disciplined group of Warkaris who walk together as part of the larger Palkhi procession. Each Dindi has its own flag, musical rhythm, leadership, Bhajan schedule, and food arrangements, giving pilgrims identity, safety, and belonging on the road. A Dindi may include 50 devotees or several thousand. New pilgrims usually join through a registered Dindi from their village, town, community, temple, Math, or devotional group.

Carry a Tulsi mala, simple white or light cotton clothes, and comfortable footwear suited for long walking. Keep belongings minimal, with a water bottle, basic medicines, bandage, pain relief balm, and any personal prescriptions. Food and shelter are usually arranged through the Dindi, but dry snacks and ORS can help during the journey.

Ringan is one of the most powerful rituals of the Wari, usually performed at selected halts along the route. The Palkhi’s sacred horse circles a cleared ground while devotees bow with deep humility, seeking the dust touched by its hooves. This dust is received as a blessing, symbolising surrender, equality, and reverence for the saints’ presence.

A first-time Wari experience asks for both physical and mental readiness. Begin with regular walking practice, simple food habits, and comfortable footwear. Each day usually starts before sunrise with Paduka worship, followed by disciplined walking, Abhangas, short rests, meals through the Dindi, and evening Kirtans. Go with patience, humility, and an open heart.

The Wari brings together lakhs of pilgrims, with major Ashadhi gatherings at Pandharpur often crossing several lakh devotees. Along the route, it creates strong local activity through food stalls, transport, accommodation, medical support, puja items, and temporary services. For villages, the Wari becomes both a devotional honour and a seasonal community economy built around Seva.

SwarSewa at the Wari 2026

Our special programme of music, kirtan and audio-visual experiences during the pilgrimage

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1100 × 400 px
SwarSewa Wari event — live kirtan performance, stage or outdoor setting, Warkari crowd, dindi flags in background, evening warm light, devotional energy
SwarSewa Ground Event · Pilgrimage Special

SwarSewa Wari Programme 2026

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Live Kirtan
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Dance
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AV Experience
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Interviews
💬 Register interest on WhatsApp