Thousands Join Ashadhi Wari Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage, which started on June 29, will cover 250 kilometers from Alandi to Pandharpur. Participants carry palanquins of saints and sing devotional songs along the route.

Organizers estimate over 500,000 pilgrims will join the journey this year. The final day, July 19, marks the main celebration at the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur.

Authorities have set up 200 medical camps and 1,000 water stations along the route. Police are managing traffic and crowd control to ensure safety.

The Ashadhi Wari is one of the largest religious gatherings in India. It commemorates the devotion of 13th-century saint Dnyaneshwar and his siblings.