23 June,2011 06:21 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
130 policemen along with SRPF, 2 bomb squads and another 20 cops for traffic control will get into action to manage processionu00a0
There u00a0will be elaborate police bandobast and systematic traffic diversion in the city two days in advance as the 326th Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi procession will leave Alandi today. The silver-coated chariot, accompanied by over a lakh Warkaris (pilgrims) chanting the name of Dnyaneshwar Mauli, will halt in the city on Saturday and Sunday. Sant Dnyaneshwar, who took Samadhi in Alandi 800 years ago, had simplified the famous Sanskrit Bhagwat Gita into Prakrit and explained the philosophy of life to the common man, said Babasaheb Purandare, a historian. Like Tukaram, Dnyeshwar is a demigod or even like a mother to the farmers' community in the state, said Purandare.
Holy path: The 326th Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi will set off from Alandi
today. file pic
Many academicians and even IT professionals will participate in the procession. "Both saints taught the lesson of humanity through their poems," said Dilip Dhonde, founder of website tukaram.com and so, there is lot of enthusiasm even among professionals to join the palkhi," he said. "At least 10 foreign students under the Indo-US cultural exchange programme will join the procession from the main gate of Fergusson College." The Pune Rural Police Superintendent Sandeep Karnik has arranged elaborate police bandobast with two bomb detection and disposal squads.
About 130 policemen along with the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) will be deployed for the bandobast with at least 20 to control the traffic. The Khadki Cantonment Board will provide basic civic amenities, including drinking water and medicine, to the Warkaris. The PMPML has increased the frequency of buses plying between Alandi and Pune.
Rs 163 cr released
Of the total Rs 450 crore allocated for the development of religious places like Pandharpur, Dehu and Alandi, the government has released the first instalment of Rs 163 crore for development works. The money will be used to develop the palkhi route, provide mobile toilets and water, construct drains and three bridges on the Indrayani River in Pandharpur. Artillery roads in Alandi, Dehu and Pandharpur are also planned.
