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Tuesday saw a delegation of newly elected MPs from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alongside NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar, to invite him to the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage.
Understanding “The Wari “(periodical pilgrimage) Pandharpur Pilgrimage:
Following a remarkable performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra’s opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), now sets its sights on the upcoming assembly elections. This is why Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is heading to Pune to participate in the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage. The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for later this year, prompting increased activity among various political parties. The ruling alliance, Maha Yuti, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). Meanwhile, the MVA comprises the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress.
Rahul Gandhi to Join Pilgrimage on July 13 or 14:
On Tuesday, a delegation of newly elected MPs from the MVA met with Rahul Gandhi and invited him to participate in the annual pilgrimage. Congress MP Praniti Shinde and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Dhananjay Mahadik were part of the delegation. Congress MLA Sanjay Jagtap stated, “Rahul Gandhi will join the pilgrimage on July 13 or 14 and will walk some distance with the devotees, seeking blessings from the palanquins of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj.”
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Rahul Gandhi’s participation in the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage is seen as an effort to strengthen MVA’s outreach to voters ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections. The MVA had a strong showing in the Lok Sabha elections, winning 31 out of 48 seats in the state. The Congress alone won 13 seats. During his Bharat Jodo Yatra, which passed through Maharashtra twice, Rahul Gandhi received a positive response from the people of the state. This is why the BJP is opposing his participation in the pilgrimage.
Why is BJP Concerned?
According to a report by The Indian Express, Tushar Bhosale, leader of the Maharashtra BJP’s spiritual cell, stated that NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar had no right to invite Rahul Gandhi to the annual pilgrimage. Bhosale remarked, “How can someone who has always hated Hindus be invited to the pilgrimage? The Wari (Pandharpur pilgrimage) has passed through Sharad Pawar’s hometown for centuries, but the NCP leader has never participated in it.” Bhosale accused Sharad Pawar and Rahul Gandhi of showing interest in the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage with an eye on the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. Sharad Pawar plans to welcome the Wari procession in his village Katewadi on July 7.
What is the Pandharpur Pilgrimage?
The Pandharpur pilgrimage, also known as Wari, is a major religious journey to the Vithoba Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. Devotees dedicate this pilgrimage to Lord Vithoba (Vitthal) and his consort Rukmini. Lord Vithoba is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The main highlight of the Pandharpur Wari is Ashadhi Ekadashi, which falls in the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) of the Hindu month of Ashadha. On this day, millions of devotees converge on Pandharpur to seek the blessings of Lord Vithoba.
The pilgrimage features palanquins of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram, which travel from Alandi and Dehu to Pandharpur, covering approximately 250 kilometers. Many devotees undertake the journey on foot, participating in devotional singing, chanting, and other religious activities. The sacred Chandrabhaga River in Pandharpur also attracts pilgrims, who bathe in its waters to purify themselves of sins. The palanquin procession will reach the Vithoba temple in Pandharpur on July 17, marking Ashadhi Ekadashi.
