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Chapter 15 : The Pilgrimage from Tahharabad and the Celebration of Devotion
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
From Ladoba Prakashan's book 'Sant Mahipati by Dattatrey Naikwade
When divine qualities take root within a human soul, one feels an exquisite nearness to the Supreme. In service to humanity born of complete absorption in bhakti, the petty ego of the self dissolves entirely. Having opened his home to the destitute, Mahipati Maharaj felt a deep, abiding peace and an immense lightness of spirit. All worldly arrogance and the illusion of "I am the doer" had fallen away from him, bringing the living realization that Pandurang was drawing ever closer to his heart. From that hour, Mahipati Maharaj’s livelihood depended solely upon holy alms, and he began preparations for the impending Ashadhi Wari.
Eager to partake in his sublime fellowship, a vast ocean of devotees gathered in Tahharabad. Amidst the thunderous, joyous chant of "Pundalika Varada Hari Vitthal," the dindi commenced its sacred march. Upon the Maharaj's shoulder rested the veena, upon his feet were ankle-bells, and in his hands gleamed the chipyas. Keeping rhythm with the cymbals and mridangam, every villager and warkari danced in divine ecstasy, their lips overflowing with the nectar of Vitthal’s name.
The Journey to Pandhari
Setting forth from Tahharabad, the dindi made its first evening halt at the village of Baragaon Nandur. As evening descended, the village resonated with the chanting of the Haripath, joyous kirtans, and the warmth of the aarti. Listening to the sacred tales of the saints left the ears and souls of all present utterly fulfilled.
Throughout the pilgrimage, the Maharaj carried with him a delicately sculpted, exquisite image of Murlidhar for his daily worship. That very same divine idol may still be beheld today within the temple at Tahharabad; and to this day, during the annual Wari, this sacred idol is seated alongside the padukas within the holy palanquin of Mahipati Maharaj. Mornings began with ritual bathing, prayer, and the worship of the deity, after which the Maharaj and his band of devotees resumed their march toward Pandharpur.
The Vision of Pandharpur
In due course, on the auspicious day of Ashadhi Ekadashi, the procession reached the sacred threshold of Pandharpur. The mere sight of the towering temple of Pandharpur instantly banishes every trace of travel's weariness! The boundless joy of being reunited with one’s eternal friend and mother radiates upon the faces of every warkari. Gathered there from all corners of the land, the pilgrims immerse themselves wholly in spiritual discourse, philosophical inquiry, and rapturous kirtans.
Bathing in the purifying currents of the Chandrabhaga, seeking the blessing of Pundalika, partaking in the darshan of the Lord, and concluding with the ecstatic Gopalkala kirtan—the days slip by unnoticed, leaving no one aware of how time has flown. Yet, when the hour arrives following the kala to bid farewell to Pandurang, the heart-wrenching sorrow of leaving Pandharri exceeds even the tender grief of a daughter departing her parental home for her husband's abode.
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