RAMESH SAVAIKAR
The devotees of Lord Shri Vithal of Pandharpur in Maharashtra are followers of Varkari Sampradaya founded by the great saint Dnyaneshwar in the 13th
century.
Earlier, there were followers of this sampradaya in Goa. especially at Poriem, Keri, Sankhali, Sanguem, and Canacona, during the Portuguese regime. These devotees used to follow the pathways in the Western Ghats to cross the Goa border and go to Pandharpur. However, later, the forefathers of the Rane family brought the idol of God Vithal from Pandharpur and constructed a small temple at Pandharni while at Sanguem, a devotee of Shri Vithal, constructed the Vithoba temple.
After Liberation, some devotees from Bicholim used to leave for the Pandharpur Ashadhi Ekadashi yatra by bus or other vehicles.
It was kirtan artiste Udaybuva Phadke who hailed from a Hindu priest family in Mulgaon-Bicholim, who decided to continue the tradition of Ashadhi Pandharpur vari on foot in 2009, the first such
Vari in Goa.
This year, Ashadhi Ekadashi, the 11th day of bright fortnight of Hindu Ashadh month, falls on July 6. So, Dindis are getting ready to leave for Pandharpur. Varkaris walk on foot for a distance of more than 365 kms to reach Pandharpur in
13-15 days.
Presently, there are 41 such devotees Vari to Pandharpur from different places in Goa like Mugao, Menjjure, Kudne, Amona, Marcel, Pirna, Sanguem, etc. who will leave for pilgrimage on foot from June 20-22. In fact, more than 5,500 devotees of 41 Varkari dindis will participate in the Ashadhi Ekadashi Yatra. A palanquin of saints in procession accompanied by dindis and devotees has already left for Pandharpur.
The devotees will take a holy dip in the sacred water of River Bhima also called as Chandrabhaga. Following this they will take ‘darshan’ of Lord Vithal and seek his blessings.
