Wari: A Pilgrimage On Foot

A tradition deeply rooted in devotion. Countless saffron flags flutter in the air and joy vibrates within everyone. A day of beauty, culture and festivities. Music flows through the air, heart-pounding and captivating. The veena, mridangam and other instruments play, and loud, melodious chanting fills the path. Multiple stops along the way are elaborately adorned with flowers and ornaments. Eyes follow each graceful movement of a dancer’s hand. The pure exhilaration of moving with music. There is laughter, there is movement, and most of all, there is camaraderie. Vibrant warmth fills the air, and each person feels content as the event unfolds before their eyes.

The Pandharpur Wari.

Wari is a significant cultural and spiritual tradition that has its origins in Pune, Maharashtra, and is one of the most important and longest-running religious pilgrimages in India. Wari is dedicated to Lord Vithoba, and the Warkaris carry the padukas of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram in a palkhi or palanquin from their respective shrines in Dehu and Alandi to the Vithoba Temple in Pandharpur. It is a symbol of Maharashtra's rich cultural heritage, and embodies unity, equality, and the spirit of community. The tradition also has a significant impact on the arts, inspiring Marathi literature, poetry, music, and dance.

The community attending the Wari event

At DLRC, Wari is a signature event, and is the first event celebrated by the community at the beginning of a new academic year. It was curated to sensitize children to the local culture which has found resonance across the world, and is now a global event that attracts people from all over to witness this pilgrimage. With the involvement of parents, children and facilitators, it is a time of cultural immersion and creates a sense of community —  a core ethos of our school.

Every year, Wari is celebrated with a different theme with various aspects of the Bhakti movement and the Sufi movement. These social movements were two of the most influential spiritual paths followed by people in India. Their teachings advocate love and compassion for humanity.

The Wari event offers an opportunity for the children to learn a wide range of bhajans, abhangas, dastangoi, dohe, Sufiana and traditional dance performances.

This year was the first time that we witnessed a soulful performance by two of our English facilitators, Priyanka Ma’am and Sweety Ma’am. They offered their “nritya seva” in Bharatanatyam through a meaningful bhajan composed by Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi, a saint from south India, and presented it with a modern electronic twist.

It was also the first time that a parent, Mr Kevin Pillai, offered his expertise as “seva” to manage the sound system for the event. Pradeep Sir, Art facilitator at DLRC, made a beautiful live painting of his interpretation of Wari. Along with this, Grade 11 student Sifar Jirgale, and his parents Ms Smitha and Mr Vishwesh, performed an original “Bharud” which is a traditional folk art form from Maharashtra.

The family performing the "Bharud"

“Talent is everywhere, whether it is the children, facilitators or parents. There were many highlights this year, and they all were an illustration of how there is no age limit for art and performance,” said Sarita Ma’am, who facilitates Sociology for Grade 11 and 12, Social Studies for Middle School, and is building a Thematics curriculum for primary school, which is about integrated and experiential learning. She has been leading the Wari event every year for the past six years.

At DLRC, we place books in our palkhi instead of an idol. The “Pustakanchi Wari” signifies that books and life-long learning are the keys to success. This learning journey is what moulds us into the human beings we become.

The community in an impromptu ‘Lezim’ performance

“Any movement in the history of mankind is to bring people together and this is the main purpose of the event,” Sarita Ma’am concluded. A key takeaway from the Wari celebration is that one should always be ready to learn new things from new cultures with an open mindset. This, along with inculcating a spirit of participation and involvement in the community, is the intention behind this event.

Most importantly, the kind of devotion one experiences in a vibrant environment like this is special. We can strive to replicate this devotion in our everyday lives. It doesn’t need to be towards an idol, but can also simply be something we deeply believe in. This can lead us towards a beautiful and liberating life.

So, whether it's on the streets of Pune or our school, the Wari tradition continues to thrive. It is a living example of the endurance of faith and tradition in the face of changing times.

By Sharanya Rao, Hita Maniar and Vanshika Tikekar (G11)