The walk of faith: Warkaris from Mumbai get ready for Aashaadhi Ekadashi

Wari is Maharashtra’s biggest annual pilgrimage held in the Hindu month of Aashaadh around June-July. The Warkaris believe that Lord Vitthal awaits them at the end of this walk, and see the journey itself as the reward.

Updated on: Jul 03, 2017 1:00 PM IST

News

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 03, 2017 1:00 PM

Devotees participate in a procession during the Girgaon Varkari Sampraday Dindi Palkhi Sohla at Girgaon . Wari is Maharashtra’s biggest annual pilgrimage held in the Hindu month of Aashaadh around June-July. The Warkaris believe that Lord Vitthal awaits them at the end of this walk, and see the journey itself as the reward. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

2/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 03, 2017 1:00 PM

The Warkari tradition has been part of Hindu culture in Maharashtra since the thirteenth-century CE. This year, Aashadhi Ekadashi falls on July 4. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

3/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 03, 2017 1:00 PM

Varkaris recognise around 50 poet-saints. The Varkari tradition regards these sants to have a common spiritual line of descent. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

4/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 03, 2017 1:00 PM

Pilgrims carry palkhi of the saints from their places of samadhi. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

5/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 03, 2017 1:00 PM

A procession in Mumbai. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

6/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 03, 2017 1:00 PM

The energy is palpable. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

7/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 03, 2017 1:00 PM

There are young warkaris too. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

8/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 03, 2017 1:00 PM

When the faith stands tall. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

9/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 03, 2017 1:00 PM

Events such as Ringan are held during the pilgrimage. During the Ringan, an unmounted sacred horse called Maulincha Ashva, believed to be the soul of the saint whose idol is being carried, runs through the rows of pilgrims, who try catching the dust particles kicked off. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)