Wari horses make a 5-ft journey

As opposed to customary 300 km march, the stallions’ short walk was conducted to keep tradition alive

The century-old tradition of the palkhi pilgrimage, wherein lakhs of warkaris course towards Pandharpur, has been called off this year due to the virus outbreak. Nonetheless, the padukas of the saints will be carried to Pandharpur either through air or by road after the warkaris themselves came up with the idea in order to prevent the discontinuation of the tradition.

On the similar lines, the 188-yearold custom involving two horses from Ankali — the former princely state from Karnataka — was also about to be discontinued. The horses travel for 300 km from Ankali to Alandi and from Alandi to Pandharpur, making for a veritable attraction of the processions, especially during the ‘ringan’ ceremony.

In a bid to not stall this ritual as well, the warkaris, citing various examples from the ancient books, decided to walk only five feet with these horses towards the directions of Alandi and then Pandharpur, respectively, outside the old palace owned by Shitole Sardar family from Ankali. The small ceremony took place on Tuesday in presence of handful of devotees and further it was announced that ‘ashwa-wari’ has been concluded.

The Shitole Sarkar family from Ankali near Belgaum is still following the age-old tradition by providing excellent breed of horses.

Shrimant Urjitsinha Raje Shitole, the heir of Sardar Shitole family, said, “We discussed with the warkari leaders about the possible participation of two holy horses, Moti and Hira. With several restrictions on religious ceremony, we also decided to call off the participation. But we did not want to discontinue the tradition. Finally, we decided to walk only five feet towards the directions of Alandi and then Pandharpur.”

The Shitoles also have traditional rights to resolve all the disputes within the wari and among various ‘dindis’ (troops) part of the procession.

“We pray Lord Vitthal to eradicate this calamity of coronavirus and allow us next year to celebrate the wari in full faith and grand manner,” he said.

Akshay Maharaj Bhosle-Bijawadikar, one of the warkari leaders, said, “The senior warkari leaders suggested Shitole family not to suspend the convention of travelling with the horses. Walking five feet while hailing Lord Vitthal would fulfil the purpose. It is also suggested in our ancient spiritual philosophy.”

Every year as part of the palkhi procession, lakhs of Warkaris walk from Pune to Pandharpur, covering a distance of over 200 km, accompanying a rath carrying the padukas of the two saints. Around 15 lakh warkaris converge at Pandharpur every year after a journey of 19-20 days. From Pune, at least seven lakh warkaris undertake the wari annually with both the palkhis.