Places to visit during Ashadhi Ekadashi

TravelPlaces to visit during Ashadhi Ekadashi

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Ashadhi Ekadashi is a celebrated festival to honor Lord Vitthal. The festival is held in the month of June or July every year by taking a religious procession. Ashadhi Ekadashi is also called by other names like Maha Ekadashi, Shayani Ekadashi, Prathama Ekadashi, and Padma Ekadashi. It is of the belief that on the auspicious festival of Ashadhi Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu or Lord Vitthal or Vithoba goes to sleep for four months and wakes up during the Kartik month on Prabodhini Ekadashi i.e. October or November every year.

Now, special pilgrimage weather forecast for Pandharpur Waari

Followers or devotees of Lord Vishnu observe the day with full faith and devotion. On Ashadhi Ekadashi, devotees keep a fast and walk in the large processions from Alandi to Pandharpur, thus singing bhajans, abhangas of Vithoba, Saint Tukaram, and Saint Dnyaneshwar. The procession called Dindi begins on Ashadhi Ekadashi and concludes on Guru Poornima day at Pandharpur.

Tips for a safe and heavenly pilgrimage travel

The festival usually witnesses devotees traveling to the Vitthal-Rukmini temples that are situated in Diva-Airoli gaon, Belapada gaon in Kharghar, and Ghansoli. The devotees flock to these temples on Ashadha Ekadashi day and perform puja to Lord Vitthal. This year, if you want to visit these temples, you can check the COVID-19 restrictions first and then plan to travel to these sacred places.

The Pandharpur Yatra has been believed to be a 700 years old tradition. The main Pandharpur Yatra begins from the Sant Tukaram temple at Dehu. The pilgrims who are called waarkaris follow the Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi procession. Thus, the main procession is then joined by other palkhis from several villages and towns. 

Many waarkaris also carry Palkhis with the image of Saint Dyaneshwar image from Alandi, some carry Tukaram’s image from Dehu, some carry Eknath’s image from Paithan, and some devotees carry Nivruttinath’s image from Trimbakeshwar, some waarkaris carry Muktabai’s image from Edlabad and Dnyaneshwar’s brother Sopan’s image from Sasvad.

People of all age groups walk with full enthusiasm and trust in their Lord and take part in the Pandharpur Yatra. According to a mythological story, Lord Krishna who is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu had come to visit his disciple Pundalik in the state of Maharashtra. As Pundalik was giving food to his parents, he told Lord Krishna to wait for a while on a brick that he gave to stand on. Despite getting a Lord’s visit, Pundalik focused his attention on caring and giving attention to his parents’ needs. Seeing this utmost commitment of a son towards his aged parents, Lord Krishna asked Pundalik to worship Vitthoba or Lord Vitthal.

It is the place where Pundalik and Lord Krishna met called Pandharpur and the Vitthal temple is located at their meeting point. On Ashadha Ekadashi day, people visit Vitthal temples and take part in the cultural programs that are organized all over the country. Some devotees who cannot visit the temples can perform puja at home and recite Vishnu Sahasranamam. Devotees can also listen to bhajans dedicated to Lord Vitthal and prepare sweets at home to offer to the Lord.

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