Inauguration of ISKCON Dindies- Worlds largest walking festival (Album of photos)
Pandharpur Wari or Wari (Vari) is an annual pilgrimage (yatra) to Pandharpur – the abode of Lord Vithoba(Krishna) in the Indian state of Maharashtra, in honour of the deity. Palakhis (palanquin processions) carrying the paduka (foot prints) of various saints – most notably Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram – from the Varkari (Warkari, “one who performs the Wari”) sect (which venerates Vithoba), are taken from their respective shrines to Pandharpur. The tradition is more than 700 to 800 years old. Dnyaneshwar’s palakhi leaves from Alandi, while Tukaram’s begins at Dehu; both in Pune district of Maharashtra. This March on foot from various locations in Maharashtra to Vithoba temple, Pandharpur, attracts a total of over a million pilgrims[citation needed]. The journey takes 21 days. Numerous palakhis join the main Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar palkhis that starts from Dehu and Alandi respectively. The wari culminates at the Vithoba temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi. Devotees from Maharashtra and nearby areas set out for Pandharpur, wearing holy basil beads and singing the glories of Vithoba and songs like “Gyanba Tukaram”, commemorating the saints. Upon reaching Pandharpur on Ashadi Ekadashi, these devotees take a holy dip in the sacred Chandrabhaga River/Bhima River before proceeding to visit the Vitthal temple.
In the same way Hare Krishna Dindies also walks from Dehu to Pandharpur & Alandi to Pandharpur with Sri Sri Gaura Nitai & Srila Prabhupada in the Bullock Carts.
While walking to the holy dhama of Pandharpur ISKCON devotees do what they know best – happily distributing prasada and Srila Prabhupada books and filling the streets, homes, and every town on the way with ecstatic Harinama Sankirtana
Find them here: http://bit.ly/2Xb5sq8