The annual journey to Pandharpur is a core devotional practice of the Warkaris. The discomforts of life on the road, the strict discipline and fasting that some observe, the physical toil of walking, all fade before the joy and sense of deriving spiritual merit by participating in this spiritual carnival of sorts. Warkaris who are fit and able have to complete their journeys on foot. Many of them, especially the veenakaris (leaders of the dindi who carry a veena throughout the journey), have to match their movements with that of the palkhi. They wake before dawn so as to be ready to depart with the palkhi in the morning, and halt for rest only for limited periods until the palkhi reaches its stop for the night.
Sahapedia is grateful to Bajaj Autos Pvt. Ltd. for the grant that made possible the documentation for this photo essay.
