Women add volume to annual pilgrimage

Pune: Fifty-five-year-old Sunitabai Tithe, a resident of Ahmednagar district, along with a group of 20 other women, was elated to participate in the annual palkhi procession that reached the city on Wednesday.
Though it was Sunitabai’s fifth journey, it was debut walk for the other women in her group. Mangala Pote was one among the first-time participants who joined Sunitabai in the trail to Pandharupur.“We decided to participate in this year’s wari and plan to continue doing it in the coming years as well,” said Pote after reaching Pune, completing a walk of 20km.
Like Pote, a significant number of women were on their journey to Pandharpur.
Satara resident Shashikala Marne said she was a part of a dindi (group of devotees) having more than 50 women participants. “There are women from 30 years to 70 years of age. We will walk till Pandharpur to offer prayers to Lord Vitthal,” she said.
The management committee of the palkhi procession said women’s participation has gone up this year. Vikas Dhage Patil, the chief trustee of the committee, said many dindis (groups) have reported an increase in women members this year. “We saw an increase in the presence of women at the Alandi temple on the first day,” Patil said.
On the reasons behind the increase in the presence of women, Patil said the late arrival of monsoon could be a reason because it has delayed farming activities. Also, it shows that more women are stepping out to witness the wari, along with their family members.
Abhay More, a leader of a dindi associated with Sant Tukaram Maharaj, said earlier 10 to 15 women used to be part of a group. The numbers have, however, gone up in the last few years. Many young women are joining the procession though some participate for only a few days because of other responsibilities.
Vishrantwadi resident Shruti Shah said she, along with 15 women from her locality, will walk till Saswad along the palkhi from Alandi.