After two-day halt in city, Sant Tukaram Palkhi and Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi leave for Saswad
After two-day halt in city, Sant Tukaram Palkhi and Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi leave for Saswad
It was a weekend of prayers and worship, as devotees flocked to the city to pay their respects to the Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhis that had halted at Nana Peth and Bhawani Peth respectively. The palkhis then proceeded towards Saswad. The elaborate security arrangements made by the city police included installation of CCTVs at Palkhi Vithoba Temple, Bhawani Peth and Nivdungya Vithoba temple, Nana Peth. 
Faith moves them: The palkhis reached Wanawari at 10 am yesterday
Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi and thousands of warkaris crossed the Dive
ghat yesterday evening. Pics/Renuka Suryavanshi & Janhavi M
Medical check-up
Dr Rupchand Pardeshi, chief health officer, PMC, said the civic body had conducted special medical check-ups for the Warkaris or pilgrims. "We also distributed medicines free of cost at the Kamla Nehru Hospital, Somwar Peth for them," Pardeshi said. "We have checked the pilgrims for fever. Malaria vaccination was also provided to many Warkaris in the hospital. Both the temples were cleaned to ensure diseases do not spread because of unhygienic conditions. At least 20 mobile toilets were provided for the Warkaris in the city."u00a0u00a0
Devotees from western and remote areas of Marathwada in the state congregated to worship the palkhis. Many of them visited the historic Shaniwar Wada, Parvati Temple, Lal Mahal, Sasars Baug and Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple. "I have been coming to see the palkhi for the last 10 years. I thought I would use the opportunity to see other well-known places in the city this time," said Ashwini Mule from Bid, who had come with her husband.
Grand welcome
Mahadji Shindiya Trust of Wanawari gave a grand welcome to both the Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram palkhies at Wanawari, near the city limits. Mahadji Shindiya was one of the senior sardars of the Peshwa. "Mahadji himself used to welcome the Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi and performed pooja and aarti. We are continuing this historic tradition for the last 250 years," said Yashwant Bhosale, manager of the trust.u00a0u00a0The palkhis of Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar left the city at 6.30 am and reached Wanawari at 10 am. After the pooja and aarti, the Palkhis left for Saswad via Dive Ghat area. The palkhis will reach its final destination Pandarpur on July 10.
Market hiccup
The Chhtrapati Shivaji Market Yard in the city was shut down on Sunday inconveniencing the management committees of Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhis. "We purchase groceries from Market Yard. How can they keep it closed," asked Sanjay More of the Tukaram Sansthan. "We have to stay back in the city just to make the purchases, which are worth Rs 5 crore."
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