05 July,2010 08:51 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Palkhi is 800-year-old and has become a part of the Maharashtrian cultural life.
It is said that Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi started in the 12th century, whereas Sant Tukaram Palkhi started in the 17th century. Both are great saints who are not only religious but are also described as revolutionary.
"Both are relevant even today only because of their thoughts that were very modern and full of life," said Dr Ramchandra Dekhane, a scholar in Saint Literature.u00a0
u00a0Palkhi starts from Dehu, (birthplace of Tukaram) and Alandi (birthplace of Dnyaneshwar) by June-end and lasts for 22 days on way to Pandharpur.
Over 5 lakh Warkaris and devotees come to take the Darshan there.
It is a most enjoyable journey for the warkaries who stop at 20 places.
They all chant 'Dnyoba-Tukaram'.
Many foreign scholars like Gunther Sontheimer were thrilled to see the sea of people gathered in the palkhi procession.
