Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi leaves Alandi at midnight

For first time in 100 years, holy march starts at 12 am in keeping with Hindu auspicious day of Ashtami

For first time in 100 years, holy march starts at 12 am in keeping with Hindu auspicious day of Ashtami

Amid loud chants of 'Gyanba-Tukaram', over three lakh devotees took to the roads for the long peregrination before their annual rendezvous with Lord Vithoba in Pandharpur. The Dnyaneshwar palkhi left Alandi at midnight.
Shridhar Sarnaik, au00a0 trustee from Alandi Sansthan, said it was the for the first time in 100 years that the procession had left at midnight. "This is because the entire 22-day-programme strictly adheres to the Hindu calendar and ashtami is an auspicious day," Sarnaik said. "Lakhs of devotees will take a purifying dip in the Indrayani River before resuming their journey."


Sanctified waters: Warkaris congregate at the Alandi Ghat before
they begin their 22-day trek towards Pandharpur. Pic/Navnath Kapale

ST buses
To make the journey smooth, the State Transport has arranged additional buses to reach Alandi. The bus route has also been diverted through Markal instead of using the Pune- Alandi route. Similarly, for the Tukaram palkhi, the PMPML bus service will run via Chinchwad-Aundh route instead of the Pune-Mumbai highway stretch. Buses shall be diverted or stopped at Kasarwadi, Bhosari and Wakdewadi, Sunil Gawali, PMPML traffic incharge said.
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Ringan
The Warkaris will celebrate 'Ringan' or a circle of Warkaris on the Hindustan Antibiotic Ground in Pimpri near Sant Tukaram Nagar today evening. Ringan is a religious ritual involving equestrian antics. All the Warkaris make a big circle and cheer the horseman as he rides around them. "It is our privilege that for the first time we can see and participate in the Ringan celebrations," said Madhuri Ambekar a classical singer from Pimpri.

Japanese touch
Yuriko Ikenoya, a Japanese devotee, who has been participating in the palkhi for the last 30 years said that she had translated Dnyaneshwariu00a0-- a commentary on Bhagwad Gita by Sant Dnyaneshwaru00a0-- into Japanese. For that she learnt Devnagri script first. "Translation is for my own reference in order to study the world-renowned poetry written by Sant Dnyeshwar in the 12th century. It inspires me all the time, as new meanings, new interpretation spring up with each reading," she said. Ikenoya also likes Vinoba Bhave's Geetai, which is parallel to Dnyaneshwari. Owing to ill health, Ikenoya plans to take a vehicle en route to Pandharpur.