Today, 12th July 2019, is the eleventh lunar
day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha) of the Indian calendar
month of Ashadha (आषाढ) also known as
Ashadhi Ekadashi or Ashadhi (आषाढि एकादशी).
We
the “Warkaris” have been walking for ages. We have been undertaking this traditional
annual pilgrimage (Wari) that started over 800 years back. We, more than an estimated
3 lakh devotees walk over 250 kms in 21 days from different parts of Maharashtra,
culminate at Pandharpur on this day just to have a glimpse of our beloved lord
Vittala.
Pandharpur
is a small temple town in the Solapur district of Maharashtra about 350 Kms
from Mumbai. The presiding deity here is Lord Vittala also known as Panduranga,
an embodiment of Lord Vishnu, one among the triad (Trimurti’s) of Hindu Gods.
Vishnu in Sanskrit means one who is omnipresent. In Marathi we call him विठेवरि
उभा,
meaning standing on a brick, with both hands on his hips कर
कठावरि ठेवून
to
bless his devotees.
Going
to Pandharpur is “Homecoming” for us and
we call it तीर्थाचे महेर,
सर्व सुखाचे
भांडार,
the storehouse of all happiness. We are not going there to seek anything, for
we don’t need anything when He is there with us. However, we take with us whatever
we have to offer him. If at all we need something from it is the boon that we
never forget Him. हेचि दान
देगा देवा
तुझ विसर
न व्हावा.
He
is both mother (विठू माउली)
and father (विठोबा)
for us. He is our God, Guru, our friend, guide and philosopher. He is our
uncle, aunt and relative. We perceive him in all human beings, animals and birds
and for us there is nothing in this world which is different from Him. With him
always besides us, we don’t have even the slightest fear of this world!
This
is the seat of the Bhakti Movement which renounced all vedic and ritualistic
forms of worship. We believe that the only way to unite with the Lord is through
an unwavering love for Him called Bhakti. Numerous saint philosophers of
Maharashtra have composed innumerable devotional poems on Vithoba in Marathi popularly
known as Abhang. Warkaris sing and dance
to these Abhangs throughout their journey to Pandharpur. Though people from all
walks of like participate in this Wari, the majority of comprise the peasants
and villagers form lower income groups. We may be materially poor but we are culturally
rich.
Pandharpur,
has the rare distinction of being awarded the title “One of the Most visited
places in a day” by the World Book of records (WBR). We know after walking for
all these days, it is possible that we may not be able to have a glimpse of You
today as there are an estimated 1 million devotees congregate here. But we
don’t have even the slightest discontent as We have not come here to achieve
anything. Oh! Lord, You have always been mine and I have always been yours! Thinking
about you has always been our way of life! रीत जीवनाची झाली
तुला चिंतणे……
.
We
will come again next year to see you……
