Palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram arrive in Pune

Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi

On Saturday, propped up by lakhs of warkaris, palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram arrived in the city to the cheers of devotees.

At thy feet: A devote bows before the Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi at Palkhi Vithoba Mandir in Nana Peth

As the processions passed through Fergusson College Road amid much jubilation, Punekars welcomed the warkaris with food items such as biscuits, bananas, tea and cold drinks. Many volunteers offered their services to the warkaris.

All-seeing: A constable on bandobast duty scans the Nana Peth area to ensure a hassle-free passage for the two palkhis yesterday

While Sant Dnyaneshwar's palkhi took a halt at Palkhi Vithoba Mandir, Sant Tukaram's wari made a stop at Nivdunga Vithoba Mandir. Both the temples are located in Nana Peth.

Many ways to serve: Volunteers from various Ganpati mandals collaborate to serve food to the warkaris

There are 350 dindis with Sant Dnyaneshwar's palkhi and 321 with Sant Tukaram's palkhi.

Stitch in time: A volunteer from a Ganesh mandal mends a warkari's bag

The two pilgrimages will leave the city today at 6 am , for the holy town of Pandharpur in Solapur, on the occasion of Ashadi Ekadashi on July 9.

Hand of god: A team of doctors from Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital offers free medical aid to the weather-beaten warkaris at Nana Peth

An elderly volunteer from Sakhlipir Talim Mandal massages the tired legs of a warkari. Pics/Mohan Patil