Pandharpur Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari : Jai hari Vitthala, Jai hari Vitthala

Pandharpur has been a holy city situated on the banks of river Bhima for about more than 700 years now. Also the Pandharpur Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari is as old as the city of Vitthala, where lacs of devotees travel each year to meet their lovable Vitthala, dancing on the tunes of the enchanting abhanga. 

The annual yatra has been a regular phenomenon for over 700 years now and is an extra ordinary unparalleled phenomenon that breaks the barriers of caste, creed, rich and poor; which are so deeply rooted in our society these days. 

Palkhis from all over Maharashtra, more than a number of 40 travel each year to Pandharpur and form a major part of the procession during the pilgrimage. The Paduka of the different saints are being carried in these Palkhis which is the tradition as per the Hindu religion. This annual Wari is a 21-day trek and ends on the Ekadashi, that is the eleventh day after the full moon in the month Ashadh, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.

Camps are being set in different villages on the route and the Warkaris, as the pilgrims are called, walk their way to Pandharpur and spend their nights in these camps in difficult conditions including heavy rain and intense climatic conditions. The local people from these villages make arrangements to lodge and feed the Warkaris, a scene of unadulterated humanity.

The Warkari's after bearing all the pain and giving up the worldly pleasures and comforts, believe that it is only after hardship that you will be able to meet the almighty god and hence they start on a journey towards Pandharpur. They uphold a strict vegetarian diet throughout and observe fasts during the pilgrimage. During this journey the Warkaris always address each other as ‘Mauli’ and never use their real names. 

Almost all the saints are treated as Mauli as it is believed that each one of them had treated the people as their own children. It is still believed that god still travel as a part of the Wari, through the souls of the other Warkaris.

The biggest and constant attraction in the Wari has been the Ringan. The high point or zenith of the bhajan is the Ringan. It is a source of distraction and respite after long hours of walk for the warkaris. There are 2 kinds of Ringan's i.e. the circular Ringan and the standing Ringan.

There are 3 standing Ringan's that are presented in the Palkhi Sohala. The first one is organized at Chandobache Limba (near Lonand), second taking place at the Bhandishegaon and the third near Bajirao Vihir after the Palkhi leaves Wakhri and reaches close to Pandharpur. 

Also in addition to these there are four circular Ringans that also takes place. These are performed at Sadashiv Nagar, Khudus Phata, Thakur Baba Samadhi and again at Bajirao Vihir near Wakhri. 

Two Ringan's are performed on the left side while two on the right side of the route, two before and two after lunch. This tradition has now been customarily followed from times immemorial.