NASHIK: There will be no procession and the palkhi (palanquin) of Sant Nivruttinath Maharaj will reach Pandharpur by bus, due to the safety concerns of warkaris (pilgrims) amid the Covid-19 pandemic. As per the schedule, departure of Sant Nivruttinath Maharaj palanquin (Palkhi) for Pandharpur will be on 19th July at 5 am from Sant Nivruttinath Mandir.
As many as forty warkari devotees will leave for Pandharpur in two ST buses. A list of warakaris who will join the palanquin has been prepared. In the meantime, RT-PCR test will be conducted on all these warkaris. It is understood that there is a list of forty people, including 32 from Varkari Dindi and 08 from temple administration. The committee is trying to get a Shivshahi bus for this journey.
Palkhi ceremony
On the day of departure of the palanquin, the palkhi will reach Kushavart Tirth from the temple till 5.30 am in the morning. The abhishek will be performed, the council chief will welcome the procession. The palanquin will then leave Trimbakeshwar temple at 6 am for Pandharpur.
Only ten prestigious palkhis in the state will be allowed to go to Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi, via Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses. There are around 250 registered Dindis (group of warkaris) who follow the palkhi on its way to Pandharpur and lakhs of warkaris walk in the processions.
