|| Vitthal Wari ||
Pandharpur Wari is one of the richest traditions of Maharashtra followed by ‘Warkari Sampradaya’.
This tradition is more than 800 years old. Warkari is a Marathi term used for people who take part in Wari or who performs Wari. Wari is a systematic procession which involves Palkhis (Chariots) of different saints carried by devotees, with devotees. The palkhis have the Paduka of saints. The main two palkhis are of Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Saint Tukaram Maharaj. The procession is destined towards Pandharpur, a temple of Lord Vithoba. All Warkari reaches at Pandharpur walking from various locations in Maharashtra on the auspicious day Ashadhi Ekadashi. This whole journey takes 21 days. All Warkari gather at the places of famous Warkari Saints mainly at Alandi, a shrine of Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Dehu, a temple of Saint Tukaram Maharaj. Many other palkhis of different saints join the main Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Tukaram Maharaj palkhis along the way. On their way to Pandharpur, the Warkaris sing hymns and dance in devotion. Though the tradition of Wari is since more than 800 years, it was systematically organized during 1820’s by descendants of Tukaram Maharaj and Devotee of Dnyaneshwar Maharaj named Haibatravbaba Arphalkar, who was a courtier of the Scindias. He organized a whole procession beautifully having systematic arrangements which are still followed flawlessly. It included palkhis carrying padukas, horses, and organized all warkaris in Dindis (specific allocated groups). All warkaris who accompany or walk with the palkhis of different saints are divided among dindis. These all dindis are given numbers by respective Temple Committees.
“Sant Vichar Prabodhi” is a part of dindi number 4 in front of the main palkhi (chariot) of Saint Dnyaneshwar maharaj. It is started before 22 years by Dr. Ramchandra Dekhane and his sister Mrs. Sucheta Gatne. Dindi begins from Alandi and culminates at Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi. The specialty of this Dindi is that it has the programs of great singers as well as instrumentalists and many eminent thinkers participate in the Dindi to share their thoughts. This Dindi is known for the participation of intellectual class. Many foreigner devotees have been participated in Wari through Sant Vichar Prabodhini dindi till date. These included devotees from America, Europe, Canada, etc.
Dr. Ramchandra Dekhane was one of the founders of Sant Vichar Prabodhini. He was a famous litterateur in Maharashtra. He was mainly known for his contribution in Saint and Folk Literature. He was also a well-known orator or performer of Bharud and Kirtan. He wrote 52 books mainly research based on Saint and Folk literature, Philosophical, novels and stories. There were more than 3000 articles of him on the topics of philosophy, saint and folk literature and on various social subjects published in well-known Marathi and English newspapers like Times of India, Indian Express, Sakal, Maharashtra Times, Lokmat, Loksatta, Kesari, Pudhari, Samna, Punyanagari, tarun Bharat, etc. Dr. Dekhane performed more than 2200 programs of “Bahurupi Bharud” on stage. He delivered more than 2500 speeches at different platforms. Dr. Dekhane was a recipient of more than 100 honorable awards from Government of Maharashtra as well as various social and cultural institutions. He was honored with the president-ship of many renowned Sahitya Sammelans (Literature Conferences). He worked as a Senior Class I officer with Pimpri-Chinchwad New Town development Authority (Govt. of Maharashtra) for 34 years.
Former Maharaj (Chief leader) of Dindi:
Dr.Ramchandra Dekhane
Chief Advisor of Dindi:
Mrs.Sucheta Suresh Gatne
Mrs. Sucheta Gatne is known as a scholar of Saint Literature. She performs Varkari Kirtan as well as a famous folk art of Maharashtra named Bharud. She also gives spiritual discourses. Her articles are published in various magazines till date. She has also authored some books namely 'Maze Maher Pandhari ', ' Shri Narmada Pradakshinechya Margavaril Tirthakshetre' and 'Chaitrangan'. She has performed programs on Akashwani Radio Station. She has performed Bharud for more than 1000 programs across India. She has conducted many Dnyaneshwari, Tukaram Gatha, Nath Bhagawat, Bahinabai Gatha and Dasbodh Parayan all over India including Punjab, Gujrat, UP, Karnataka as well as at Mauritius. She has received various prestigious awards such as Muktai Puraskar, Mahila Kirtankar Puraskar, Swanand Mahila Bharari Puraskar, Samaj Bhushan Puraskar, etc. She is one of the founders of this Dindi.
Present Maharaj (Chief Leader) of Dindi:
Dr. Bhavarth Ramchandra Dekhane
B.Sc. (Microbiology), M.Sc. (Microbiology), M.B.A., PhD
Dr. Bhavarth Ramchandra dekhane has received rich heritage of orator-ship and folk performances from father Dr. Ramchandra Dekhane. He performs Warkari Kirtan in Marathi and English languages. He has delivered lectures on “Bhagwad Geeta for Corporate World” at various business forums and Managerial conclaves. He has been an active performer in ‘Bahurupi Bharud’, a folk art concert organized and presented by Dr. Ramchandra Dekhane, for more than 1500 programmes. He has delivered various lectures and speeches related to folk literature, Indian Culture, youth, science etc. at different platforms. He has also written various articles in many magazines, newspapers and periodicals in Marathi and English. He enjoys singing and playing rhythmic instruments like Pakhawaj, Sambal, Dholki, Tutari, Dimdi and other various folk instruments. He has given performances of Kirtan and Bharud in America and Europe. He has been awarded as ‘Vasanta Vakta’ by ‘Vasanta Vyakhanmala’, Pune. He has also received ‘Dr. Subhash Bhave Award’ for academic excellence, ‘Anuradha Bhaskar Award’, ‘Parvati Punyabhushan’, ‘Swami Vivekanand District Yuva Award’, ‘Vidyanand Award, Mumbai’. He has done compeering for more than 100 musical concerts with famous singers.
