Coordinate All Departments to Ensure a Successful Ashadhi Wari – CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai – The traditional Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur is a long-standing and revered cultural event in Maharashtra. Highlighting its significance, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized that the Wari enhances the state’s cultural pride and spiritual wealth. With early monsoon rains this year, the Chief Minister directed officials from all departments to make comprehensive arrangements for the comfort and safety of pilgrims—including water supply, healthcare services, mobile toilets, and adequate police deployment—ensuring all efforts are made in coordination to make the Wari successful.

At a preparatory meeting held at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis reviewed the arrangements for this year’s Ashadhi Ekadashi. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Rural Development Minister and Solapur Guardian Minister Jayakumar Gore, Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, Madha MLA Abhijit Patil, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Vice Chairman of the Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee Gahininath Maharaj Ousekar, spiritual leader Tushar Bhosale, and senior officials from finance, planning, public works, health, and urban development departments. Key representatives from the ten traditional Dindis (palanquin processions) also participated.

Kavita Dwivedi, Pune’s Acting Divisional Commissioner, gave a presentation via video conference on the status of preparations. Representatives of major Dindis and temple trusts also shared suggestions and challenges.

Key Issues Raised
Suggestions included setting up welcome tents in Pune, banning loudspeakers, increasing police deployment for each palanquin, widening narrow roads, creating a model wari campsite at Wakhari, providing both regular and cardiac ambulances, issuing more Darshan passes, waterproof tents, water tankers, sufficient medicines, traditional route improvements, and mobile toilets.

CM Fadnavis’ Directives
CM Fadnavis stressed that the government is fully committed to proper planning for the Wari. He asked the municipal commissioners of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to make special arrangements to receive the palanquins. While welcoming stages can be set up along the roads, they should not delay the processions. The Disaster Management Authority must remain alert throughout the pilgrimage.

Coordinated Efforts Across Divisions
Since palanquins come from across Maharashtra—including Nashik, Vidarbha, and Marathwada—the Divisional Commissioners of Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Amravati were directed to hold joint meetings and ensure necessary arrangements like roads, drinking water, electricity, health services, and police deployment as the processions pass through their areas.

The Director General of Police was instructed to coordinate closely with district police officers to ensure smooth traffic and accident prevention. Arrangements should be seamless so that no Dindi is left without police support while transitioning between districts.

Model Wari Camp at Wakhari
All major palanquins converge near Wakhari. As a large crowd gathers there to witness the palanquins, CM Fadnavis instructed the Solapur district administration to manage crowd control effectively. He also proposed the redevelopment of Sant Namdev Maharaj’s platform and announced plans to develop Wakhari as a model wari campsite.

Group Insurance to Continue
Every year, 15 to 20 lakh devotees participate in the Wari. Last year, the government introduced the “Vitthal-Rukmini Warkari Insurance Scheme” to cover illnesses, accidents, or deaths during the pilgrimage. This year too, group insurance will be provided. CM Fadnavis also stated that the number of Darshan passes for Warkaris in major palanquins will be increased.

Clean and Green Wari Initiatives
CM Fadnavis emphasized the importance of the “Nirmal Wari, Harit Wari” campaign, urging district administrations along the procession route to intensify cleanliness and green initiatives. He suggested planting shade-giving native trees along the roads to promote environmental sustainability.

36 Waterproof Shelters Planned
With the monsoon expected to intensify, 36 waterproof shelters have been arranged at key halts along the route. More will be added if needed. CM Fadnavis also mentioned that separate bathing facilities and Hirakani rooms (for women) will be provided to ensure women’s comfort and safety during the pilgrimage.

Deputy CM Shinde Assures Comfort for Pilgrims
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said the government is committed to preventing any inconvenience to the Warkaris due to the heavy rains. Safe drinking water, electricity, waterproof tents, ample health services, and mobile toilets will be provided. The Health Department will ensure a sufficient number of ambulances and will pay special attention to women’s health. The government is also working to make more buses and trains available for Warkaris. Road conditions will be improved to prevent mud and ensure smooth passage.

Vice Chairman Gahininath Ousekar shared details about the preparations made by the Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee.
Representatives from various Dindi institutions—including Yogi Niranjannath, Chaitanya Kabir Maharaj, Jalindar More, Somnath Ghatekar, Akshay Maharaj Bhosale, and Shri Sadhu—also gave suggestions.