BJP urges Maharashtra govt to allow pilgrimage to Pandharpur with Covid guidelines

Every year, lakhs of warkaris set out on foot across Maharashtra for 15 to 20 days to offer prayers at Lord Vitthal temple in Pandharpur. The pilgrimage culminates with celebrations on Ashadi Ekadashi, which falls on July 20 this year.

Pointing that the state was already easing Covid-19 restrictions, BJP vice-president Madhav Bhandari said the government should now also consider granting permission to warkaris to undertake the pilgrimage.

“During the Moghul reign, Aurangzeb made several attempts to stop the pilgrimage. But despite his might, the warkaris continued their traditional pilgrimage. It was never interrupted,” he said, adding that last year, too, all rituals and pilgrimages were stopped due to Covid-19.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, “We have to exercise caution. We cannot allow a huge congregation of
people under pilgrimage in Covid times.”