Ashadi Ekadashi is a festival celebrated by Vaishnavas. This year, it falls on June 29, 2023. It is a festival dedicated to Lord Vitthal, who is worshipped not only by Hindus but also by people of other religions. Many tourists from abroad also come to witness this festival.
The festival is celebrated by the devotees of the Bhagavata Dharma, who carry flags, palanquins, and palkhis with the name of Lord Vitthal and Rukmini, and walk to Pandharpur. This tradition has been going on for over 800 years. It is a grand celebration for the Vaishnavas.
The festival is named after the devotee Pundalik, who is considered the founder of the Vaarkari tradition. Haibat Baba, the leader of the Arafal village in Satara district, started the tradition of carrying the padukas (footwear) of Jnaneshwar Maharaj in a palanquin, along with other rituals and taking them to Pandharpur.
Jnaneshwar Maharaj himself walked from Alandi to Pandharpur in 1291. Tukaram Maharaj's ancestor, Vishwambhar Baba, used to lead the Pandhari Wari from his home. After Tukaram Maharaj's death, his son Narayan Maharaj transformed the palanquin into a grand celebration.
Many saints' palkhis come to Pandharpur from different places, such as Sant Gajanan Maharaj from Shegaon, Jnaneshwar Maharaj from Alandi, Tukaram Maharaj from Dehu, Nivrutti Nath from Trimbakeshwar, Eknath from Paithan, and Kabir from North India. The palanquins of Sopandev, Muktabai, Janardan Swami, Savata Mali, and Ramdas Swami also come to Pandharpur for darshan.
During the Wari, the devotees play the traditional game of fugdi and dance. When the procession stops, discourses and kirtans are held. People provide grand meals for the devotees. Many social organizations also provide medical aid, water, and other facilities for the devotees.
One unique feature of the Ashadi Wari is the running and ringing of bells. The devotees run with bells tied to their feet and chant the name of Lord Vitthal. Jnaneshwar Mauli's horse also runs in this procession.
As they were passing through Pandharpur, Sant Tukaram Maharaj had a vision of Lord Vithoba's temple from a small hill in Velapur. He then ran all the way from there to Pandharpur to have darshan of Lord Vithoba. This is why the devotees of Lord Vithoba run from Velapur to Pandharpur. This is known as the Pandharpur Wari.
Fasting on the eleventh day of the Hindu month of Ashadha is of great importance in the Warkari community. During the day and night, they consume various items made from rajgira, sabudana, potatoes, sweet potatoes, varai, and peanuts. Fruits like bananas are also included.
Those who cannot go to Pandharpur visit the local Vithoba temples for darshan. The eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha is known as Devshayani Ekadashi or Hari Shayani Ekadashi. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on the bed of Sheshnag in the Ksheer Sagar (ocean of milk). According to religious beliefs, one year of humans is equivalent to one day of the gods. Dakshinayan is the night of the gods, and Uttarayan is the day of the gods.
The month of Ashadha marks the end of Uttarayan and the beginning of Dakshinayan. Therefore, the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha is known as Devshayani Ekadashi or Hari Shayani Ekadashi. After this, Lord Vishnu wakes up on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Kartik, which is known as Prabodhini Ekadashi. This period is also known as Chaturmas and coincides with the monsoon season.
On Kartiki Ekadashi, the return journey of the palanquins takes place. Shayani Ekadashi marks the beginning of Chaturmas. Fasting and worship are done on this day to please Lord Vishnu. In the Bhavishyottar Purana, Lord Krishna tells Yudhishthira about the importance of Shayani Ekadashi. Brahma had once told his son Narada about its significance. The story of King Mandata is also told in this context. In his kingdom, there was a three-year drought, and the king could not find a way to please the rain gods. Finally, the sage Angiras advised him to observe the Dev-Shayani Ekadashi fast, and as a result, rain fell in his kingdom.
The Ashadhi Wari is a cultural heritage of Maharashtra that transcends caste and religion.
- Mr. Babu Philip Disoja (Kumthekar)
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