Pune, Jun 21 (PTI) Amid chants of 'Jai Hari Vitthal' and 'Dnyanoba Mauli Tukaram', hundreds of devotees on Tuesday evening began the journey from Alandi in Maharashtra's Pune district to the renowned temple town of Pandharpur with a palkhi (palanquin) carrying the 'paduka' of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj.

Also Read | Nagaland Killings: Army Will Try Special Forces Personnel Involved in Killing of 13 Villagers in Mon District.

Pandharpur, on the banks of the Chandrabhaga river in Solapur district, is around 225 kilometres from Alandi.

Also Read | HPCL Recruitment 2022: Vacancies Notified For Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer And Other Posts At hindustanpetroleum.com; Check Details Here.

The 'wari', or pilgrimage by foot, is being undertaken after a gap of two years, when COVID-19 restrictions had played spoilsport, and the enthusiasm was palpable as devotees played mridangas and various types of drums.

"The palkhi will halt for the night at Gandhi wada in Alandi and on Wednesday will head towards Pune. The palkhi of Sant Tukaram has already set out and both the processions will reach Pune city on Wednesday, where they will halt for a night before heading towards Pandharpur," temple trustees said.

Arrangements for the pilgrimage, among the most renowned and patronised in the state, include heavy police deployment and special civic facilities for devotees in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)