On the eleventh day of the bright moon in the month of Aashaad hundreds of devotees of the Warkari clan, singing & dancing all the way to rhythmic beats reach the temple town of Pandharpur, to have a glimpse of Lord Vitthal. The clan, which consisted of only a handful of followers about half a century ago, today boasts of lakhs of pilgrims or warkaris as they are known. ´Bheti Lagi Jeeva‘ highlights the passion and devotion of pilgrims, who come together from different parts of Maharashtra with a motive to share their fidelity with God from Saturday, 9th June 2012 everyday at 7: 30 pm only on IBN-Lokmat.
A Wari which is a 21 day long pilgrimage was started by Sant Tukaram's son Narayanmaharaj in 1685, has become an annual ritual for lakhs of followers of the sect. Pandharpur is home to Lord Vithoba, and the pilgrims to get a glimpse of their deity. On their way to the holy Pandharpur, the pilgrims play musical instruments like veenas, mridungas, dholkis and chiplis. With the saffron colored triangular 'paatakas' (flags) in hands and tulsi leaves on their heads the pilgrims present a perfect picture of the Bhakti tradition of Maharashtra.
The Palkhi‘s timetable is well defined & strictly followed. Early dawn, after worshipping the Saint‘s footwear, the palkhi sets out exactly at six. This yatra is an inspiration of supreme dedication to a personal deity of Lord Panduranga. Lakhs of devotees take part in the yatra and every year the number only increases. Reaching Pandharpur in hundreds of thousands, the warkaris represent an enigmatic unbroken tradition, which has cut across centuries and barriers of caste and creed, despite the austerity and hardships involved. The phenomenon can be only be understood in the words of those who embark on the amazing pilgrimage.
For all the worshippers who could not attend this year‘s Wari, here is a chance to get a feeling that they were with the procession. Experience this epic 21-day journey right in front of your television screens as IBN-Lokmat brings unmatched coverage of Wari from Saturday, 9th June 2012 at 7:30 pm only on IBN-Lokmat.