It’s a Celebration as ‘Waarkaris’ End Their 21-Day Long Pilgrimage

The Vaishnavite pilgrimage is 700 years old and is religiously undertaken by around 10 lakh devotees every year.

Today is Ashadhi Ekadashi, the day when Maharashtra’s annual pilgrimage called ‘Waari’ culminates at Pandharpur in Solapur district.

Called ‘waarkaris’, the pilgrims converge on the banks of the river Chandrabhaga to take a holy dip. This ancient Vaishnavite pilgrimage started in the times of Saint Dnyaneshwar. After 700 years, it is religiously undertaken by around 10 lakh devotees every year. People of all castes eat, walk and stay together for the 21 days of the pilgrimage. They sing and dance their way to Lord Vitthal’s temple, marking the joyous end of a long and arduous pilgrimage.