Serving Warkaris is Serving Lord Vitthal: Union Minister Murlidhar MoholSymbiosis and Smt. Sheela Raj Salve Memorial Trust Launch Mobile Medical Clinic for Warkaris; Initiative Completes 26 Years

Serving Warkaris is Serving Lord Vitthal: Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol

Symbiosis and Smt. Sheela Raj Salve Memorial Trust Launch Mobile Medical Clinic for Warkaris; Initiative Completes 26 Years

Pune: 08/07/2026:- Calling the annual Ashadhi Wari one of Maharashtra's richest cultural and spiritual traditions, Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said that serving Warkaris travelling to Pandharpur is the same as serving Lord Vitthal.

"Every year, lakhs of Warkaris carrying the Palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj begin their journey from Dehu and Alandi to Pandharpur while chanting the name of Lord Vitthal. It is a matter of great satisfaction to serve these pilgrims who walk this long journey on foot. Serving tired Warkaris is the same as serving Lord Pandurang," Mohol said.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Mobile Medical Clinic for Warkaris, jointly organised by Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre, Symbiosis International Deemed University and the Smt. Sheela Raj Salve Memorial Trust on the occasion of the departure of the palanquins of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj for Pandharpur.

The inauguration ceremony was held at Symbiosis Vishwabhavan, Senapati Bapat Road in the presence of Manjusha Nagpure, Mayor of Pune; Navalkishore Ram, Municipal Commissioner; Nilesh Nikam; Adv. Avinash Salve; Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, Founder and President, Symbiosis; Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal Director, Symbiosis and Pro-Chancellor; Symbiosis International University (SIU), former MLA Ulhas Pawar; Mohan Joshi; Dr. Rajiv Yeravdekar; Provost, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, SIU Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman; Vice Chancellor, SIU and Dean Shashidhar, among others.

Mohol said the annual Wari had commenced in an atmosphere of devotion, with lakhs of devotees from across Maharashtra participating in the pilgrimage. He noted that several organisations in Pune contribute towards the welfare of Warkaris every year. "This initiative reflects a deep sense of social responsibility that goes beyond education. It aims to ensure that pilgrims travelling through heat, rain, hunger and fatigue in their devotion to Lord Vitthal receive timely medical care and assistance," he said.

Mayor Manjusha Nagpure praised the initiative, saying it has been consistently spreading positive energy for the past 26 years. "The commitment to serving Warkaris is truly commendable and serves as an inspiration to others. Providing medicines and healthcare facilities to ease the hardships faced by pilgrims is nothing less than serving Lord Pandurang. The Pune Municipal Corporation is also making extensive arrangements to facilitate the Wari," she said.

Dr. Mujumdar said that thousands of Warkaris from across the state had gathered at Alandi and Dehu before proceeding towards Pandharpur. "Getting an opportunity to serve them is a blessing from Lord Pandurang. For students from other states and countries, participating in this initiative is a deeply enriching experience. Along with education, such initiatives help inculcate compassion and social responsibility among students," he said.

Introducing the initiative, Adv. Avinash Salve said the service began in 2001 with a single ambulance. "This year, the initiative has expanded to include 10 fully equipped ambulances, motorcycle ambulances, and a dedicated team of over 300 doctors, nurses and volunteers providing pain relief medication, essential medicines, first aid, emergency medical assistance and healthcare services throughout the pilgrimage. We are committed to ensuring that this service to Warkaris continues uninterrupted for generations to come," he said.

Former MLA Ulhas Pawar described the Wari as a confluence of wisdom, devotion and renunciation. "Serving the Warkaris who participate in this spiritual journey is itself an act of worship. It is heartening that these two institutions have been carrying out this humanitarian initiative with dedication and goodwill for the past 26 years," he said.

Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar said the Wari is a remarkable example of self-discipline and self-management. She encouraged students not only to participate in the pilgrimage but also to undertake research on its various dimensions. "The Wari offers valuable lessons in management, planning, cleanliness, social harmony and community participation," she said.

The dignitaries expressed confidence that the initiative would further strengthen healthcare support for the Warkari community and ensure better access to medical services during the pilgrimage.

The programme was compered by Revati Pathak, while Sudhir Darode proposed the vote of thanks.

   

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