Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Darshan of Gyanoba Mauli’s Feet

Pune: Warkari devotees, with the rhythm of tala-mridunga, chants of ‘Jnanoba Mauli’ and ‘Mauli, Mauli’, and Tulsi Vrindavan on their heads, held dindy-pataka in their hands. In this devotional atmosphere, the Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palanquin ceremony for Ashadhi Vari departed from Alandi to Pandharpur today in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Chief Minister Shinde took darshan of Mauli’s feet. Union Minister of State for Cooperation Muralidhar Mohol, MP Srirang Barane, Principal Secretary Praveen Darade, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Collector Dr. Suhas Diwase, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Santosh Patil, District and Sessions Judge Mahendra Mahajan, Municipal Council Chief Kailas Kendra, Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan Chief Trustee Adv. Rajendra Umap, Yogi Niranjannath, trustee and head of the palanquin ceremony, trustee Dr. Bhavarth Dekhne, Guru Haibat Baba’s descendant Balasaheb Pawar – Arfalkar, H.B.P. Rana Maharaj Vaskar, H.B.P. Sangram Bapu Bhandare Maharaj, and others were present.

After the Mana palanquin procession, the departure to Gandhiwada for the devotional stay at Alandi Sansthan took place. A large number of Warkari devotees gathered at Alandi to experience the departure ceremony ‘Yachi Dehi Yachi Dola’.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was felicitated by the Chief Maharaj of the Warkari Sant Mahant Pike Association for taking important decisions, such as proposing UNESCO’s global nomination for the Pandharpur Wari, a glorious spiritual and cultural tradition of Warkari Maharashtra, and financial support of Rs. 100 crores. Following this, the Chief Minister interacted with the dignitaries of the Warkari sect.

On behalf of the women present, Chief Minister Shinde was felicitated.

Government Facilities for Devotees

The District Administration, Temple Institute, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation have prepared facilities for pilgrims coming for Ashadhi Vari. These include water and electricity facilities, medical teams, a palanquin route schedule, a metal detector system at the temple entrance, easy access to toilets, police help centers, firefighting systems, ambulances, boat arrangements in the river bed, notice boards, and CCTV systems. Instructions are also being given through sound systems.