As the revered Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage approaches, a high-level meeting was held in Pune on Monday under the chairmanship of Additional Divisional Commissioner Kavita Dwivedi of Pune division to ensure comprehensive preparations across Pune, Satara, and Solapur districts. The meeting was attended by District Collectors, Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Parishads, Superintendents of Police, and representatives of the palanquin committees from the three districts.
In addition to the likelihood of heavy rainfall this year, authorities are anticipating a higher turnout of Warkaris (devotees), prompting plans to intensify crowd control measures. Dwivedi emphasised the urgent need to repair damaged roads and ensure accessibility along the pilgrimage routes. She directed officials to not only fix major roads but also pay attention to connecting dirt roads and remove obstructions caused by ongoing construction work.
To manage the anticipated crowd, the administration plans to deploy CCTV and drone cameras along the palanquin route. Watch towers will be erected at key points, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered surveillance will be used particularly in Pandharpur and Wakhri. An integrated control room will be set up for real-time coordination, and heads of all departments stationed there will be equipped with walkie-talkies to ensure swift communication.
Solapur District Collector Kumar Ashirwad informed that a combined control room will be operational during the Wari for close monitoring and quick response. Satara Collector Santosh Patil added that families willing to offer their toilets for public use during the pilgrimage can mark their homes with white flags, helping Warkaris identify accessible facilities.
Drinking water arrangement done
Pune Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Gajanan Patil said that drinking water arrangements have also been made on a large scale—1,800 tankers will serve the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palanquin, 1,200 for Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s, and 200 for Sant Sopandev Maharaj’s.
Ashadhi Wari
The Ashadhi Wari is a centuries-old spiritual pilgrimage undertaken by thousands of Warkaris who walk from various parts of Maharashtra to the holy town of Pandharpur to seek blessings of Lord Vitthal. The Wari, marked by chanting of Harinam and devotional songs, sees palanquins (palkhis) of Sant Tukaram Maharaj from Dehu and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj from Alandi pass through Pune every year. During their stay in Pune, the city becomes a vibrant hub of devotion and culture. Local residents and organizations extend hospitality by offering food, medical aid, and shelter to the Warkaris, turning Pune into a temporary spiritual home.
This year, the palanquin of Sant Tukaram Maharaj is scheduled to depart from Dehu on June 18, followed by Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj’s from Alandi on June 19. The 18-day spiritual journey to Pandharpur will include devotional singing and chanting, accompanied by the rhythm of taals and mridangas as the palkhi begins its journey.
