Waari: It is a holy pilgrimage in Maharashtra (India) and the participants in the Waari are called ‘Waarakaris’
It’s a vision that would melt the heart of the staunchest atheist. And it must be one of its kinds in the world; at one time, millions of people walk in Waari- a holy pilgrimage by Hindus. It’s perhaps, the world’s longest pilgrimage. Remarkable, in over 700 years of waari tradition, no stampede or chaos has ever taken place.
Waari is undertaken in the Hindu month of Aashaadh (around June-July). Every year, millions of devotees walk along the250 km route from Aalandi (near Pune, India) to PandharPur (near Solapur, Southern Maharashtra ). There are other groups also walking from southern states of India like Karnataka, Andhara Pradesh etc. They walk with one focus and that is to reach PandharPur and offer their respects to Lord Vitthal (reincarnation of Hindu God Vishnu).
The waarkaris (pilgrims) are mainly agriculturists and the majority of them are poor. After traveling for almost 15-20 days, devotees reach PandharPur to meet their favorite God, Vitthal. A chain of millions of men, women and children walking for miles with non-stop chants of Gyaanbaa-Tukaaraam on their lips, is an incredible spectacle.
References of waari can be found as far back as one thousand years. Nobody knows anything about the original waarkaris. According to an account, parents of Saint Dnyaneshwar (13th century) undertook this pilgrimage and he followed the steps later. When Sant Dnyaneshwar undertook this tradition, Waarakaris (worshippers) rendered traditional songs called Abhanga all along the route. He used to walk barefoot with a flag in his hands, keeping his fast throughout the journey.
