<p>In a unique initiative, the Maharashtra government will make arrangements for the G20 delegates to witness the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur ahead of the Ashadi Ekadashi festivities.<br /><br />When the G20 delegates assemble for a meeting in Pune, they will be able to make their way to witness the pilgrimage.<br /><br />The annual ‘wari’ or pilgrimage owes its origins to the Bhakti movement and is one of the most important traditions of the Warkari-sampradaya.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/c20-life-conference-to-be-held-at-rambhau-mhalgi-prabodhini-1223940.html" target="_blank">C20 LiFE conference to be held at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini</a></strong><br /><br />“We must arrange for excellent facilities so that the G20 delegates can witness this important tradition,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said at a meeting held in Mantralaya, the state secretariat in Mumbai, to review the arrangements for the pilgrimage and Ashadi Ekadashi.<br /><br />As per practice dating back several centuries, pilgrims called '<em>warkaris</em>', along with over 250 ‘<em>palki</em>’, undertake the pilgrimage by foot from their respective native places to the temple of Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur in Solapur district.<br /><br />The two important ‘<em>palkis</em>’ (palanquins) carry the ‘<em>paduka</em>’ (revered symbolic footwear) of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, from Dehu and Alandi, respectively, in Pimpri-Chinchwad in Pune district.<br /><br />Lakhs of pilgrims from the state reach Pandharpur in Solapur district on the auspicious occasion of ‘Ashadi Ekadashi’ - after covering the journey in the form of a procession on foot.<br />This year Ashadi Ekadashi falls on 29 June.<br /><br />The nearly three-week pilgrimage ends at Vithoba Temple, known as Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir - dedicated to God Vithoba - a form/incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna and his concert Goddess Rakhumai.<br /><br />As per tradition, the Maharashtra chief minister and his wife perform the first puja on Ashadi Ekadashi.<br /><br />Pandharpur is often referred to as the Dakshin Kashi - which shows the importance and significance of the place.<br /><br />Located on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River, Pandharpur houses the Vithoba Temple, known as Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir - dedicated to God Vithoba - a form/incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna and his consort Goddess Rakhumai.<br /><br />The idol is called by different names Vithoba, Pandurang, Pandhari, Vithal, and Vithalnath. Besides, there are hundreds of temples in Pandharpur.</p>
<p>In a unique initiative, the Maharashtra government will make arrangements for the G20 delegates to witness the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur ahead of the Ashadi Ekadashi festivities.<br /><br />When the G20 delegates assemble for a meeting in Pune, they will be able to make their way to witness the pilgrimage.<br /><br />The annual ‘wari’ or pilgrimage owes its origins to the Bhakti movement and is one of the most important traditions of the Warkari-sampradaya.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/c20-life-conference-to-be-held-at-rambhau-mhalgi-prabodhini-1223940.html" target="_blank">C20 LiFE conference to be held at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini</a></strong><br /><br />“We must arrange for excellent facilities so that the G20 delegates can witness this important tradition,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said at a meeting held in Mantralaya, the state secretariat in Mumbai, to review the arrangements for the pilgrimage and Ashadi Ekadashi.<br /><br />As per practice dating back several centuries, pilgrims called '<em>warkaris</em>', along with over 250 ‘<em>palki</em>’, undertake the pilgrimage by foot from their respective native places to the temple of Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur in Solapur district.<br /><br />The two important ‘<em>palkis</em>’ (palanquins) carry the ‘<em>paduka</em>’ (revered symbolic footwear) of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, from Dehu and Alandi, respectively, in Pimpri-Chinchwad in Pune district.<br /><br />Lakhs of pilgrims from the state reach Pandharpur in Solapur district on the auspicious occasion of ‘Ashadi Ekadashi’ - after covering the journey in the form of a procession on foot.<br />This year Ashadi Ekadashi falls on 29 June.<br /><br />The nearly three-week pilgrimage ends at Vithoba Temple, known as Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir - dedicated to God Vithoba - a form/incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna and his concert Goddess Rakhumai.<br /><br />As per tradition, the Maharashtra chief minister and his wife perform the first puja on Ashadi Ekadashi.<br /><br />Pandharpur is often referred to as the Dakshin Kashi - which shows the importance and significance of the place.<br /><br />Located on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River, Pandharpur houses the Vithoba Temple, known as Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir - dedicated to God Vithoba - a form/incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna and his consort Goddess Rakhumai.<br /><br />The idol is called by different names Vithoba, Pandurang, Pandhari, Vithal, and Vithalnath. Besides, there are hundreds of temples in Pandharpur.</p>
