Asadhi Ekadashi: A Tale of Devotion
Asadhi Ekadashi, also known as Devshayani Ekadashi, holds a deeply spiritual place in the hearts of millions, especially in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Observed on the 11th lunar day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July), it marks the beginning of the four-month holy period of Chaturmas, when Lord Vishnu is believed to enter a cosmic slumber.
But beyond its religious significance, Asadhi Ekadashi is best known for a legendary tradition, the Wari pilgrimage and the timeless story of unwavering devotion embodied by saints like Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram.
The Wari and the Varkaris Each year, thousands of devotees known as Varkaris embark on a spiritual pilgrimage on foot, carrying the symbolic padukas (footprints) of these saints from their hometowns (Alandi for Dnyaneshwar) to the temple of Vitthal-Rukmini in Pandharpur.
The origins of this sacred tradition are rooted in the 13th century.
Sant Dnyaneshwar’s Vision Sant Dnyaneshwar, a child prodigy and philosopher, was a key figure in bringing spiritual wisdom to the common people through his Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, the Dnyaneshwari. He saw Lord Vitthal not just as a god to be worshipped in temples, but as a personal friend of the devotee. In his eyes, God resided in the heart of the pure.
He would walk to Pandharpur to meet his beloved Vitthal each year on Asadhi Ekadashi, chanting, “Mauli Mauli” – referring to Vitthal as the divine mother.
Sant Tukaram’s Divine Love A few centuries later, Sant Tukaram, a farmer-saint from Dehu, carried forward the legacy of Dnyaneshwar. Through his soulful Abhangas (devotional poems), he voiced the pain of the common man and the joy of surrendering to Vitthal. One popular story tells how his devotional songs were thrown into the Indrayani River by sceptics. It was seen as a divine validation of his devotion.
More Than a Pilgrimage The Wari is not just a ritual. It’s a living expression of equality, as people from all castes, backgrounds, and walks of life come together, barefoot, singing, dancing, and sleeping under the open sky. For them, the journey is not about reaching Pandharpur’s but walking with God every step of the way.
A Legacy of Faith Asadhi Ekadashi reminds us of the power of bhakti (devotion). In a world often torn by division and materialism, the stories of Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram shine like beacons of love, humility, and spiritual wisdom.
Each year, as the Varkaris arrive in Pandharpur chanting “Vitthala Vitthala,” it’s not just a tradition they bring with them centuries of faith, unity, and a divine connection that time cannot erase.