Jai Jai Vithoba Rakhumai |
It does not matter even if it rains. The walk is on. |
The day starts off with a
pleasant surprise when we see the “Dindi” walking along Shankarshet Road at
Seven Loves square. We also start walking with them. As we walk half a kilometer it starts raining
and I realize I have worn wrong shoes. They are wet hence start cursing myself.
But then I am able to look around and to my amazement, there are many who are
wearing slippers and some of them are even bear foot. Ashamed of myself I now
reconcile and am suddenly extremely comfortable with my footwear.
There are people everywhere. Most
of them in a traditional attire worn mostly in the country side, Dhoti, Kurta
and white cap. The procession is made energetic with the Bhajans and Abhanga.
People are so engrossed in singing that they do not bother about the rain or
wind. The weather is awesome with light drizzles and cool breeze.
As we walk past some people, one
person calls me out, “Mauli, are you going to Saswad”. I nod my head, and ask
him where is he from? He tells me he came from Parbhani district. As I interact
with him, he tells me that he finished all the preliminary work of sawing seeds
and has come here to go to Pandharpur. He has been doing it for past 6 years.
He is drenched in rain. So I offer him to take the rain coat from the road side
which is being distributed free. He refuses to do so and tells me if I do so I
will not get anything from this exercise. You should never take anything from
any one if you can afford to buy it yourself.
We start walking side by side and he tells me about his dindi. Around 80
people have joined him from his village.
I am enjoying every bit of Vaari
now. The Bhajans are mesmarising. I clap to the rhythm and sing along with
them. The people are walking at a
uniform pace. There are lots of volunteers on both the sides of the road. Lots
of people are donating the eatables, raincoats, fruits, dhotis etc. People are
lining up to collect whatever they need.
Now I realize, Vaari is a true
representation of the society. There are majority of the people who are honest
and sincere. They keep walking and praying. They do not collect anything that
is being distributed for free. There is another set of people who accept only
what is necessary for them to complete this procession. They do not run after
the donors to grab the offerings. There is a third set who queues up for
anything that is being distributed for free. These people are in minority
however they become the major highlight and spread a negative word.
As we cross Phursungi and Wadaki,
we now enter the ghat section. This is an uphill walk and the most difficult
portion of the procession. There is a
dindi singing nice inspirational songs hence we decide to walk with them. the entire ghat is full of people. If you look
ahead you can see a line of Safron colour flags floating in the sky. As you
look behind from the height, you can see the caps and turbans walking at a
distance. The entire atmosphere is filled with Hari Naam : “Vithal Vithal Jai
Hari”. There are people already sitting on the top of the hills to observe the
procession.
Dnyanoba Tukaram |
Vaari is an all inclusive
process. Any person who walks a few steps, is infused my the positivity of
life. He is blessed with the presence of almighty and is charged by the
goodness of people around. I am yet to meet a person who has even slightest
negativity. Whether we believe or not the thoughts that provoked the society
seven hundred years ago to follow the ethical path, the thoughts of saints that
brought back the goodness of life are still so fresh that they can enchant the
entire atmosphere.
As we follow the footsteps of
Varkaris ( people who are the part of vaari), we reach our destination. We meet
up with the traffic police who tells us the way to catch a bus to Pune. But at
the same time, tells us affectionately that we should wait till the Palkhi of
Dnyaneshwar Maharaj arrives. I can feel the warmth of Mauli filled in him. Now
I realize the strength of this event.
Lakhs of feet walk side by side,
for varied reasons, from varied locations to
a single destination with a single objective. The reasons are different
but the goal is same. Goal is to meet the almighty, goal is to get absorbed in
him so much that there is no duality. Goal is to celebrate the humanity. Goal
is to celebrate the life nurtured by the mother earth.
Sharing the experience we may inspire some one to do so, and it make us more happy ... Keep on sharing your experience in life ... keep it up
ReplyDeleteDindi says if you give some thing you will get something u devoted time you got joy of life
Nice first time experience, nice pictures, very inspiring. I also did it first time this year, and enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Thipsay. Nice of you to take out time to read.
ReplyDeleteWow mam !!! You inspired me to do someting!!!
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed this experiece before 2 years ago !!
Your article gave me refreshing and energetic experiece.
Vittal and hari naam is already beating in my heart !"! Because of you
Thanks kaustubh. Nice of you to spare time to read. I am glad you liked it.
ReplyDeletevery nicely shared your experience, abhiandan,
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Mr. Ogale. The experience is mesmerizing hence the words come out automatically.
DeleteAs they say 1000 mile journey begins with 1 st step. You did it wonderfully...shared with honesty & humility. Very happy to know & note that VARI is still full of positivity & devotion,faith. Abhinandan.
DeleteThanks a lot sir. Motivation from welwishers such as you always makes me try out such activities.
ReplyDeleteIts a wonderful experience........
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing and uplifting experience . Your words allowed me to live the experience as if I was there!
ReplyDeleteThanks Uncle. Nice of you to take out time to read. Yes it indeed is an amazing experience.
DeleteThanks Ashwiniji for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteMi ya varshi Thanyahun thet Pandharpurla gelo ani pratham Vithoba-Rakhumaiche darshan ghetale. Tithun Taxine NatePute chya pudhe Barad gavi jaun Dnyandev maharajanchya palakhiche Darshan ghyayache hote. Tyasathi 5-6 KM chalalo pan darshan kahi hou shakale nahi. Tyanantar thet Indapur gathale. Ithe matra Tukarma maharajanchya palakhiche Darshan jhale.
Pudhachya varshi Pune-Saswad payi chalayacha prayatna nakki karen. Aapala blog vachun utsah aala. Dhanyavaad.
Excellent observation as I got the feeling that I am walking along with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot. Glad you liked it.
DeleteAshwini, wonderful article
ReplyDeleteThank you Savita Tai.
Delete