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Devshayani Ekadashi 2024: One of the most important days that devotees commemorate is Devshayani Ekadashi. On this auspicious day, the Chaturmas season officially begins, when it is believed that Lord Vishnu takes a four-month rest. In addition to praying for spiritual advancement and fasting, devotees often perform kirtan and take part in special temple events. This year, Devshayani Ekadashi will be observed on 17th July 2024. Ashadi Ekadashi or Devshayani Ekadashi is very important since it marks the end of the Pandharpur Wari Yatra.

Let us check out the significance of the Pandharpur Wari Yatra and the worship of Lord Vitthal during the Devshayani Ekadashi.

Devshayani Ekadashi 2024: Significance Of Pandharpur Wari Yatra

The Pandharpur Wari Yatra is a pilgrimage to Pandharpur, Maharashtra, to honour Lord Vithoba. It entails bringing a saint's paduka in a palkhi, most famously from Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram's shrines to Pandharpur. Many pilgrims accompany this march on foot. Warkari is a Marathi phrase that means "one who performs the wari". The custom is more than 700-800 years old.

Marches occur on foot from several localities in Maharashtra to the Vithoba Temple. The yatra takes 21 days. Along the road, numerous other palkis join the two most respected palkhis. Starting from their respective locations in Maharashtra's Pune area, Sant Dnyaneshwar's palkhi departs from Alandi and Tukaram's from Dehu. The wari concludes in the Vithoba Temple on the auspicious date of Shayani Ekadashi. Devotees from Maharashtra and adjacent places go for Pandharpur, donning holy basil beads and singing the praises of Vithoba and songs like "Gyanba Tukaram" to commemorate the saints. When the devotees arrive at Pandharpur for Shayani Ekadashi, they bathe in the holy Bhima River before entering the temple.

The Pandharpur Wari Yatra dedicated to the worship of Lord Vitthal culminates on Devshayani Ekadashi. (Image Source: Canva)

According to one account, Vitthalpant, the father of Varkari saint Dnyaneshwar, initiated the wari to visit Pandharpur between the Hindu months of Ashadha and Kartik. Another account claims that Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram initiated the trip. They would walk for 15 days to Pandharpur, arriving at the Vithoba Temple on Shayani Ekadashi. Narayan Maharaj, Tukaram's youngest son, established the custom of carrying the saints' padukas in 1685.

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Devshayani Ekadashi 2024: Significance Of Worshipping Lord Vitthal

Lord Vitthal is highly revered in Maharashtra. The term "Vitthal" is a combination of the Marathi word (Vit - Brick) and the Sanskrit word (Sthal - Place/location), and it signifies 'the one who is standing (placed) on the brick'. The tale goes that there was a son named Pundalik who was famed for his unwavering devotion to his parents. One day, Lord Krishna appeared in the avatar of a black young boy to meet him. Pundalik was serving his parents at the time. The deity had come to meet him and instructed him to stand and wait on a brick. The Lord Krishna was pleased with his devotion to the parents and remained there. Vitthal is sometimes referred to as Pandurang, Vithai (Vitha+aai), and Vithoba (Vitha+baba).

 


(Disclaimer: This is based on general public information. Jagran English does not confirm its veracity. Before adopting any measures, consult an expert from the relevant field.)