06 July,2010 10:20 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
The Nivdungya Vithoba temple in Nana Peth, where the Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi stays for a night and a day, has gone hi-tech this year. The temple trustees have made tight security arrangements with four CCTV cameras.
The 731-year-old temple is so named because an idol of Vithoba was found under a tree of Nivdunga (cactus).
"The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has installed the CCTV system on the temple premises," said Anant Padhye, trustee, Nivdungya Vithoba Devasthan Sansthan. "Tukaram Palkhi has stayed the night in this temple every year for at least last 400 years of the palkhi."
The palkhi this year arrived at 9.45 pm, 45 minutes late.
"Eight dindis (groups of pilgrims) are put up on the temple premises, where a three-storied dharmashala was built two decades ago," Padhye said.
"Over 4,500 warkaris get their meals here during the palkhi's stay."
