Alandi: On Ashadh Shuddha Dashami (June 30), Saint Dnyaneshwar’s palkhi procession will depart for Pandharpur from Alandi only with 20 persons in Shivneri bus under the police protection for Ashadi Wari Palkhi ceremony. The Alandi temple has received a letter from the state government regarding this and deputy collector as well as tehsildar will be responsible for carrying the padukas.
The letter regarding this was given by the Divisional Commissioner Dr Deepak Mhaisekar. To avoid the spread of coronavirus, the state government has not allowed walking procession for the ceremony. The government has taken up the responsibility of carrying the padukas of the Saints in the state. The departure ceremony of Saint Tukaram Maharaj was held on the day of Jeshtha Vaidya Saptami (12th) in Dehu and departure ceremony of Saint Dnyaneshwar was held on the day of Jestha Vaidya Ashtami (13th) in the presence of very few devotees.
The Shivneri bus will be provided by the government for carrying padukas and maximum of 20 people have been allowed to take the padukas. A person having more than sixty years of age will not be allowed. Also, the person should not have any kind of illness. People coming with padukas will undergo the tests for COVID-19. The Deputy Collector or Tehsildar will also have to accompany them. He will be responsible for bringing paduka to Pandharpur and back to Alandi. They also have to take care that Paduka carrying vehicle should not stop anywhere during the journey. Paduka will reach Pandharpur by 6 pm on June 30.
Ashadi Ekadashi, this year will be a low key affair amid the novel coronavirus. One team from the police department and the health department will be present at the ceremony.
Palkhis of various troops will reach Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi. All the palkhis coming from different parts of the state will enter Pandharpur on June 30 in the afternoon on the day of Dashmi.
Sant Tukaram Maharaj's Paduka will leave for Pandharpur and by June 30 it will reach around 6 in the morning along with ten Warkaris.
