Palkhi Yatra
Nourishing Pilgrims, Nurturing Traditions
At Palkhi Yatra, we're committed to supporting the Warkaris on their spiritual journey through three core pillars: Food, Health, and Community. Check out how we make a difference.
Every pilgrim group belongs to a different village. This group is usually led by an experienced participant, a pioneer from that village or the Village head. The person in charge usually remains the same for many years.
Anyone can participate by paying a fee to the person in charge of the pilgrim from which they would like to participate. This fee is for vehicular transports and other miscellaneous costs and is individually managed.
The Schedule for the Pandharpur Wari is declared by the governing organisation Shri Dnyashwar Maharaj Sansthan Committee in May. It includes the location of each stop and night stay the Pilgrim will take.
The spiritual walk commences from the shrines of the two saints, Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram from Alandi and Dehu respectively in June. Pilgrims from different villages gather in Pune to join the yatra. Each group is given a unique token for identity management.
According to the schedule the pilgrim stops at a designated location for rest and food. Accommodation is assigned to each group separately depending on the no. of participants. This is where the Palkhi Yatra team provides freshly prepared food to pilgrims.
After 21 days of travel the wari concludes at the Vithoba Temple in Pandharpur on the auspicious date of Ashadi Ekadashi. Warakaris (Devotees) bathe in the Bhima River and visit the temple to pay their respects to Lord Vitthal.
Our meals are carefully planned to provide the energy and nutrients needed for the demanding journey. We also take into account the weather conditions and effects by deciding a menu.
Food is prepared by the Palkhi yatra team in collaboration with devotee volunteers and the prep time is managed to align with the stops of the pilgrim group like clockwork.
The PY team arranges slots to serve food to reduce chaos as the no. of devotees can be quiet high. This also helps in reducing the waiting time till food is served.
Through careful planning and logistics, we've reduced food waste from 20 kg annually to zero, ensuring that every morsel prepared serves its purpose of nourishing a pilgrim.
We conduct awareness sessions on maintaining personal hygiene during the journey, and provide easy to use and carry soap papers helping pilgrims stay healthy throughout the Wari.
We provide clean, potable water at regular intervals along the pilgrimage route, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.
Our food is prepared under strict hygienic conditions, dramatically reducing the incidence of food-borne illnesses from 10-15 cases annually to zero since inception.
We work with local healthcare facilities to ensure that pilgrims have access to medical care if needed. Usually we try to volunteer local doctors who can conduct free check ups on sight for advice and minor issues.
We create a welcoming atmosphere that embraces all participants, regardless of their social or economic status, reinforcing the egalitarian spirit of the Wari.
By supporting the Warkaris, we play a role in preserving and promoting this centuries-old tradition, keeping the spirit of the Wari alive for future generations.
Our donation campaign brings together volunteers, business owners, social workers and more from diverse backgrounds serving as community hubs where people come together, share meals , and forge connections.
We provide opportunities for locals and supporters to participate in the Wari by volunteering with us, fostering a sense of community involvement and service. In fact this website was also created to serve this purpose.
Nourishing Pilgrims, Nurturing Traditions