Waree

Yesterday I went for the annual waree, which is a pilgrimage where devotees of Sant Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar walk along with the palkhis from Alandi to Pandharpur. We were a bunch of IT people with their families and we did the first stretch from Bhosari phata near ALandi to Wakdewadi, Pune. A complete 21 kms in a day.

It was nice to see the fervour amongst people. The walk is long and the day was extremely sunny. No trace of rains yet in Pune. It is a pure test of endurance for people who do the complete waree from Alandi to Pandharpur which is approximately 250 kms to be covered in 21 days spread across a little less than a month. It is amazing to see how a tradition goes on for hundreds of years together. People turn up in lakhs, from all strata of society, "UNINVITED" and walk together with complete discipline and timeliness chanting bhajans. Only deep faith in God can make people do this year over year.

The mayor of Pune along with some other so called politicians were waiting to welcome the palkhi in town but little are they concerned about providing basic amenities to these warkaris. No trash bins, no water and public toilets are unheard of. The road is devoid of any trees and I am sure the warkaris must be feeling the heat of having elected a stupid government.

This small and first attempt in my life is my only claim to fame. My name found a small place in
the newspaper ;) and I am very thrilled about it. Here goes the link
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repositoryml.asp?Ref=VE9JUFUvMjAwOS8wNi8xOCNBcjAwMjAz&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

If anyone wishes to join the IT Dindee, then mailto: itdindee@gmail.com