Ashadhi Ekadashi: The Warkaris
Written by Isha Joshi
“Abeer gulaal udhalit ranga,
Natha ghari nache mazha sakha Panduranga”
As the colorful Abeer (powder) is scattered in the air; My lord and friend Panduranga is dancing in his abode
As the monsoon rains approach the Sahyadri mountain ranges in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June-July), the warkaricommunity from Maharashtra start their journey, or yatra, to Pandharpur. Pandharpur is home to the temple of the Lord Vitthala otherwise fondly called Vithoba, Panduranga, or Mauli. This yatra which is a 700 year old tradition is called the wari and the person who does this journey is called a warkari.
A sea of devotees walk hundreds of miles for 21 days to Pandharpur from all over Maharashtra. They carry the palanquins, or palkhis, of the footprints, or padukas, of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram (Renowned saints of Maharashtra and the Warkari tradition).
The palkhis are decorated beautifully with blossoming marigold and rose garlands. It is a unifying experience as people from all sections of the society march together to one destination. During this time, all roads lead to Pandharpur - literally and spiritually!
Even though Lord Vitthala is a male God, he is referred to as, Mauli, which means mother. The warkaris who step out in the search of Vitthala believe that Vitthala can be found in every person. That’s why they also refer to every person as Mauli–because God resides in every person.
Music is an inseparable part of the wari. The hills of Sahyadri echo with the chants of “Vitthala Vitthala '' as the warkaris are completely immersed in Vitthala bhakti. The warkaris walk to the rhythms of taal & chipali, while chanting Sant Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram’s name (“Gyanba Tukaram”). The warkaris also line up behind the mridangam and veena players while they sing abhangs.
Abhang means “non interrupting,” which symbolizes an unending flow of the warkaris’ devotion. The poet saints like Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, Chokhamela, Namdev, Eknath, Muktabai, Soyrabai have composed thousands of abhangs dedicated to Lord Vitthala.
The abhangs are usually in simple colloquial Marathi which is understandable and easily sung by everyone. The abhangs and kirtans written by the saints hundreds of years ago have played a huge role in simplifying Vitthala worship for the common people.
