TITLE: Palkhi Festival

The ‘Palkhi Festival’ in Maharashtra is a fleet of devotees who travel on foot from various villages to
congregate in the village of Pandharpur and is a religious and traditional rite in the Hindu tradition.
This religious journey is carried out twice in one year in the Hindu months of Asadh ( 22 June to 22
July in the Gregorian calendar) and Kartik ( 23 October to 21 November in the Gregorian calendar)
during the phase of ‘Shuddh Ekadashi’. The holy sandals of Saint Dnyaneshwar and Saint Tukaram
from Alandi and Dehu respectively are carried in a palanquin called the ‘palkhi’ to Pandharpur in a
chariot. The three most important saints in the Warkari community are Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant
Eknath and Sant Tukaram. There is no element of discrimination based on any grounds in this
community, instead they believe that blessings are received out of kindness and honesty to others.
Setting afoot for Pandharpur on the day of Ekadashi or any day that is considered pure can be called
a ‘‘Palkhi Festival’. An individual who follows this religiously is called a Warkari and the religion they follow is
called the ‘Warkari Dharma’ also called as ‘Bhagwat Dharma’. They have a saying in which they
express their innate desire to go to Pandharpur to pay respects to Vitthal and bathe in the river
Chandrabhaga; ‘ Pandharicha vaas, Chandrabhage snaan, aanik darshan Vithoba che’, and it is their
belief that this desire drives them never to miss it. The Ashadhi Waari has a place in the heart of
every person in the Warkari community and is revered by them with the utmost respect and
devotion.

AUTHOR: Dnyaneshwar Vaidya (India)

I am Dnyaneshwar Prakash Vaidya. I am an amateur photographer from a small
village near Kolhapur city, Maharashtra.

Maharashtra is a very ancient and historical state in India. There are a historic
culture and tradition that vary from town to town and mile to mile. There are
many festivals and traditions followed by worldwide photographers for which
they came across Maharashtra, not just doing photography but became a part of
this tradition and enjoys a lot. There are cultural festivals like Palkhi Festival, Haldi
Festival, Lord Ganesha Festival, Kushti Festival and many more.

I have started photography in the year 2015. I am working on Maharashtrian
Tradition and Culture. Telling stories through my photography is my passion. I
have participated in a lot of festivals that happened in and around Maharashtra.
These Photo Walks improved my photography view and as well as great respect
for my culture and tradition.