Nagpur, India- Today marks the celebration of Ashadhi Ekadashi, with millions of devotees arriving in Pandharpur, chanting the name of Lord Vitthal. July 17, 2024, holds great significance for the Warkari community as it coincides with the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha. This sacred day began on Tuesday night and is being observed today according to the Udaya Tithi, or sunrise time.

Pandharpur is brimming with devotees who have travelled by ST buses, trains, and private vehicles. The town is alive with the fervour of the Ashadhi festival as the saintly palanquins have also arrived. On Ashadha Dashami, Tuesday, July 16, more than 1.2 million devotees had already gathered in Pandharpur. Today, that number has doubled.

The 65 acres of land on the opposite bank of the Chandrabhaga River are teeming with worshippers. For the Warkaris, Pandharpur is akin to their maternal home, where Lord Vitthal is their father and Rukmini their mother. The longing for this spiritual home is a sentiment deeply felt, especially by the women who sing traditional verses, or ovi, as they make their pilgrimage, reminiscing about their beloved Vitthal-Rukmini and leaving behind all worldly concerns.

The devotion to Lord Vitthal and the journey on foot is a remarkable phenomenon, fascinating both domestic and international observers and researchers. Some Warkaris, unable to make this year's pilgrimage, feel a profound sense of loss. Yet, Lord Vitthal, standing by the Chandrabhaga River with his hands on his hips for centuries, remains a beacon in the hearts of all living beings. Through spiritual communion, devotees pray for the resolution of their troubles and the well-being of all.