Aashadhi Vari (Pandharpur) is a pilgrimage by Varkari devotees from their village to Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi.Warkari Sampradaya is an association of people who go to the Wari of Vitthal in Pandharpur. The characteristic of the community is the Ashadhi Vari.. In this Vari, people of many castes and religions gather together and devotees of Maratha, Mahar, Lingayat and other castes also participate in large numbers. People perform this ceremony happily.
What is Wari :-
Wari is a community walk starting from various villages in Maharashtra and ending at Pandharpur.
Wari is a religious and cultural tradition of Maharashtra. Vari itself occurs both during Ashadha and Kartik
Shuddha Ekadashi in the month. The paduka of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj from Alandi and the paduka
ofSant Tukaram Maharaj from Dehu in a palanquin came to Pandharpur in a palanquin chariot. Sant
Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, Sant Eknath Maharaj, Sant Tukaram Maharaj were great saints of Varkari sect .
History of Aashadi vari : -
The tradition of Pandhari wari is very old. The tradition began in the thirteenth century itself. First of all, there was
a tradition of Pandhari in the family of Gnandeva. His father used to go to Warila of Pandhari. Dnyaneshwar
Maharaj took the banner of Bhagwat Dharma on his shoulders and took part in this ceremony together with people
of all castes. Later saints like Eknath Maharaj, Tukaram Maharaj, Mallappa Vaskar continued the tradition of Wari
.Practitioner of saint literature Dr. Sadanand More says - "Vari of Pandharpur is the main ethos of a Varkari sect
. Due to the achievements of Jnandeva, this sect became widespread in Maharashtra by winning over the
public mind; but the originator of the sect is Bhakta Pundlik. The history of the sect begins from Bhakta Pundlika.
There are two types of wari : -
1. Ashadhi Wari - All saints' palanquins come to Pandharpur from their respective villages.
2. Kartiki Vari - The palanquins of saints leave Pandharpura for their respective villages.
Characteristics of Wari :-
1. ringan
2. runs
While going through the Vari, people complete the Vari with devotion by singing Abhang, Kirtan, God's songs.
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