This year was truly special for me — I undertook my very first Wari, walking alongside the holy Padukas of Sant Dnyaneshwar Mauli , from Alandi to Pune. It wasn’t just a physical journey; it touched my soul and became an unforgettable moment in my life.
For years, I had harbored the desire to do the Wari, but the thought of walking 23 kilometers always felt daunting. Every year, however, my husband would take part in the Wari with deep devotion. Watching his dedication slowly nurtured courage within me. And then, one day, I decided — this year, I will walk. With complete faith in Mauli.
On the early morning of June 20, at 4 a.m., we left home. It had rained heavily the previous day, and the sky was still a bit cloudy. But there was faith in my heart — Mauli will take care of us. We reached Alandi by taxi at 5 a.m., after which vehicles were no longer allowed. So we began our walk. The road was filled with devotees — everyone walking with their own devotion. There was no sign of exhaustion on any face, only bhakti (devotion) and surrender.
As we crossed the Indrayani river, I felt a deep stillness within. The river, swollen from the rains, was flowing in full force. And yet, that moment felt calm and sacred. Alandi, bathed in the gentle morning light, looked divine. The air was filled with Mauli’s name, devotional songs , the rhythmic beats of cymbals and mridang... I was covered in goosebumps.
We reached Gandhivadya, where the first halt of the Palakhi (holy procession) takes place. We bowed down in reverence. A light drizzle began, and thousands of devotees had gathered in front of Mauli’s wada (ancestral home). I closed my eyes, and my heart was filled with one emotion — gratitude.
Even in that storm-like crowd, there was a strange stillness — of devotion, of surrender, and of unwavering faith. After taking darshan of the Palakhi, we prepared ourselves for the next stretch of the journey.
As we walked, one sight deeply touched me — a group of women from rural villages, walking barefoot, carrying tulsi vrindavans (sacred basil planters) on their heads, proceeding calmly. I spoke to them and asked, “Where are you from?”
They replied, “We’re from Buldhana. We walk 12 hours a day.”
I was stunned. But there was no fatigue on their faces — instead, there was a radiant glow. Their eyes sparkled with longing for darshan of Vitthal-Rukmini.
The sight of Warkaris in pristine white clothes, the sound of cymbals, the beat of mridangs, and the soft drizzle — everything blended together to form a divine rhythm.
At one point, I sat beside an elderly Warkari. He smiled and asked,
“Is this your first Wari?”
I nodded.
He said, “This is not just walking — it’s the path leading to Mauli. And once you walk it, you’ll yearn for it every year.”
Those words stirred something deep inside me...
In the Wari, everyone is equal — from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent. A four-year-old child and an eighty-year-old grandfather — all were walking, chanting “Dnyanoba Mauli, Tukaram!” The atmosphere was overflowing with devotion.
After six hours of walking, we finally reached the Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple at 11 a.m. People stood on both sides of the street, flower-decked doorways welcomed us, conch shells sounded, and bhajans rang through the air.
A little girl held her mother's hand and sang with deep feeling — “Pandharinatha, come to visit me...”
Her innocence melted away all the tiredness in me.
As I stood amidst the crowd, looking at Bappa seated on his golden throne, I felt no desire to ask for anything. I just wanted to say one heartfelt word — thank you.
With chants of ‘Vitthal Vitthal’ echoing through the air, the Warkaris have set off on their spiritual journey to Pandharpur for Ashadi Ekadashi , to be celebrated on 6th July 2025.
This Wari was not just a walk — it was a celebration of culture and devotion. It connected me to my roots and showed me the power of collective faith .
This was my first Wari... but one that will remain etched in my memory forever.
By Mauli’s grace, I was blessed with this experience — and there could be no greater joy than this.
Authored by: Nilaja Paranjape
If you too have a soul-touching story to share, then send it to us at: soulcurry@timesinternet.in
For years, I had harbored the desire to do the Wari, but the thought of walking 23 kilometers always felt daunting. Every year, however, my husband would take part in the Wari with deep devotion. Watching his dedication slowly nurtured courage within me. And then, one day, I decided — this year, I will walk. With complete faith in Mauli.
On the early morning of June 20, at 4 a.m., we left home. It had rained heavily the previous day, and the sky was still a bit cloudy. But there was faith in my heart — Mauli will take care of us. We reached Alandi by taxi at 5 a.m., after which vehicles were no longer allowed. So we began our walk. The road was filled with devotees — everyone walking with their own devotion. There was no sign of exhaustion on any face, only bhakti (devotion) and surrender.
As we crossed the Indrayani river, I felt a deep stillness within. The river, swollen from the rains, was flowing in full force. And yet, that moment felt calm and sacred. Alandi, bathed in the gentle morning light, looked divine. The air was filled with Mauli’s name, devotional songs , the rhythmic beats of cymbals and mridang... I was covered in goosebumps.
We reached Gandhivadya, where the first halt of the Palakhi (holy procession) takes place. We bowed down in reverence. A light drizzle began, and thousands of devotees had gathered in front of Mauli’s wada (ancestral home). I closed my eyes, and my heart was filled with one emotion — gratitude.
Even in that storm-like crowd, there was a strange stillness — of devotion, of surrender, and of unwavering faith. After taking darshan of the Palakhi, we prepared ourselves for the next stretch of the journey.
As we walked, one sight deeply touched me — a group of women from rural villages, walking barefoot, carrying tulsi vrindavans (sacred basil planters) on their heads, proceeding calmly. I spoke to them and asked, “Where are you from?”
They replied, “We’re from Buldhana. We walk 12 hours a day.”
I was stunned. But there was no fatigue on their faces — instead, there was a radiant glow. Their eyes sparkled with longing for darshan of Vitthal-Rukmini.
The sight of Warkaris in pristine white clothes, the sound of cymbals, the beat of mridangs, and the soft drizzle — everything blended together to form a divine rhythm.
At one point, I sat beside an elderly Warkari. He smiled and asked,
“Is this your first Wari?”
I nodded.
He said, “This is not just walking — it’s the path leading to Mauli. And once you walk it, you’ll yearn for it every year.”
Those words stirred something deep inside me...
In the Wari, everyone is equal — from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent. A four-year-old child and an eighty-year-old grandfather — all were walking, chanting “Dnyanoba Mauli, Tukaram!” The atmosphere was overflowing with devotion.
After six hours of walking, we finally reached the Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple at 11 a.m. People stood on both sides of the street, flower-decked doorways welcomed us, conch shells sounded, and bhajans rang through the air.
A little girl held her mother's hand and sang with deep feeling — “Pandharinatha, come to visit me...”
Her innocence melted away all the tiredness in me.
As I stood amidst the crowd, looking at Bappa seated on his golden throne, I felt no desire to ask for anything. I just wanted to say one heartfelt word — thank you.
With chants of ‘Vitthal Vitthal’ echoing through the air, the Warkaris have set off on their spiritual journey to Pandharpur for Ashadi Ekadashi , to be celebrated on 6th July 2025.
This Wari was not just a walk — it was a celebration of culture and devotion. It connected me to my roots and showed me the power of collective faith .
This was my first Wari... but one that will remain etched in my memory forever.
By Mauli’s grace, I was blessed with this experience — and there could be no greater joy than this.
Authored by: Nilaja Paranjape
If you too have a soul-touching story to share, then send it to us at: soulcurry@timesinternet.in
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