Maharashtra govt to decide on Pandharpur Wari procession after May 30 as COVID cases rise

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Saturday that decision on annual 'palkhi' processions from Alandi and Dehu in Pune district to Pandharpur will be taken after May 30. While religious processions are banned as per third phase of COVID19 induced lockdown guidelines, Home Ministry is all set to anunce new guidelines for lockdown 4.0 on Saturday.  Lakhs of devotees undertake 'Wari' (pilgrim on foot) to Vitthal temple in Pandharpur in Solapur district from all parts of Maharashtra every year.

Ajit Pawar, who is also guardian minister of Pune district, held a meeting with trustees of Alandi, Dehu and Pandharpur temples and senior district and police officials on Friday. " Wari has special and historical importance in Warkari sect. It is a centuries'' old tradition. We will review coronavirus situation in next 15 days and decision will be taken about palkhi procession after May 30 by taking all stakeholders in confidence," Pawar said.

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In a late evening statement, Pawar also said that smaller 'dindis' (groups) or 'palkhis' (palanquins) will be allowed to join procession without government's permission. "Several dindis and palkhis from various parts of district head towards Pandharpur but this time, prior permission of government will be needed to take out such dindis or palanquins," he said.

Meanwhile, Vikas Dh Patil, one of chief trustees of Alandi temple, said y will follow government's guidelines. "Whatever decision state government takes, we will welcome it," he said.

What is procession about?

Pandharpur Wari is an annual pilgrim to Maharashtra's Pandharpur town, which is seat of God Vitthal. Every year, warkaris on foot carry palakhis (palanquin processions) in hour of deity. Saint Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram from  Warkari sect, are taken from ir respective shrines to Pandharpur in se huge processions. tradition is more than 700 to 800 years old, as per reports.

READ | Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally soars to 29,100 with 1,576 new cases; death toll at 1,068

Maharashtra Covid19 update

With 1,576 vel coronavirus cases being detected in Maharashtra on Friday, May 15, state's COVID-19 tally increased to 29,100. number of recovered increased to 6,564 after 505 COVID-19 patients were discharged in day. Currently, re are 21,467 active vel coronavirus cases in state. 49 casualties- 34 from Mumbai, 6 from Pune, two each from Akola, Kalyan-Dombivali, Dhule, and one each from Panvel, Jalgaon, and Aurangabad were reported on Friday, propelling Maharashtra's COVID-19 death toll to 1068. 32 of deceased individuals had high-risk co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc. As per Maharashtra Public Health Department, doubling rate of COVID-19 cases in state is 11 days. 

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