Pune: Various social organisations, as well as residents, are providing a wide range of services to warkaris staying in the city overnight before beginning their pilgrimage to Pandharpur on foot on Sunday morning.Local residents are generously providing accommodation in their homes, wadas, and housing societies. Many of the housing societies and mandals have set up special mandaps for the warkaris. Several organisations, too, are offering footwear, raincoats, massages and other equipment to assist warkaris during their challenging journey of over 200km over the next fortnight.The city has transformed into a spiritual hub, with people dressed in traditional attire queuing at the temples where the palkhis are stationed.The Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi is currently stationed at the Nivdunga Vitthal Temple in Nana Peth, whereas the Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi has made its rest stop at the Palkhi Vithobha Mandir in Bhavani Peth. Palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj, along with thousands of devotees, will leave for Pandharpur at 6am on Sunday.As a gesture of gratitude and service, a team from Indian Dental Association (IDA) of the Kondhwa-Camp branch distributed toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash to warkaris. “The palkhi is not only a spiritual journey but also a time of community service. As dental professionals, it is our responsibility to contribute in a way that supports both the health and dignity of warkaris. Through this initiative, we aim to sow the seeds of oral health awareness among all,” said Dr Prathamesh N Motadu.Healer Abdul Razzak came all the way from Hyderabad to the city to provide herbal oil therapeutic massages to the devotees. “I have been following this tradition for over a decade. It gives me a special feeling. Their blessings give me a lot of energy and satisfaction in life,” Razzak said.Understanding the physical toll the pilgrimage takes on the feet — especially for those walking long distances under harsh weather — Samudra and Medilife Footwear stepped forward with a service-driven initiative. They offered free foot consultations, shared awareness of foot health, and distributed specially designed footwear inserts, insoles, and supportive sandals to those experiencing pain, flat feet, diabetes-related foot conditions, or general foot fatigue. “Our goal was to protect every step taken in devotion,” said a representative from Samudra Footwear. “Foot health is often neglected, especially on such long journeys. We wanted to extend our expertise where it truly matters,” said another representative.Niranjan Nath Maharaj, chief trustee of Alandi Temple Trust, told TOI, “Residents of the city have been showering their love, affection, and devotion on the warkaris during their stay here. It feels like we are receiving special treatment. They provide meals, take care of our health, and supply us with all the necessary equipment. Their kindness makes us feel special. This love is a testament to their faith in the centuries-old tradition of the palkhi.“The palkhi processions of Sant Tukaram Maharaj will follow the Pune-Solapur highway and will stay overnight in Loni Kalbhor on Sunday, while the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhi procession will stay in Saswad after crossing Dive Ghat before heading to Pandharpur.
