250 devotees to reach temple town after 17-day journey on foot
Varkaris of the two different Mandals started from Palolem and Rajbagh, Canacona.
CANACONA
Despite the rain, hundreds of men and women left for Pandharpur in two different walking pilgrimages from Canacona on Friday.
A total of 250 Varkaris in two different processions, Vitthal Rakhumai Mauli Varkari Mandal (Palolem) and Sant Dnyaneshwar Mauli Varkari Mandal (Rajbhag–Canacona), participated in this procession to reach Pandharpur.
One of the Varis was flagged off by Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar near the Bhoomipurush Devasthan in Palolem.
CMC Chairperson Sara Shamba Naik Desai, former MLA Vijay Pai Khot, Municipal Councillors Laxuman Pagui, Neetu Desai, Shubham Komarpant, Vitthal Rakhumai Varkari Mandal President Suraj Naik Gaonkar, BJP Mandal President Prabhakar Gaonkar and others were also present on the occasion.
While praising the Pandharpur pilgrims who will bravely walk for about 17 days, Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar said he would also participate in this pilgrimage for two days.
Speaking further, Tawadkar said, “A kind of religious spiritual atmosphere has been created today. We should follow the mantra of happiness given by Dnyaneshwar Mauli.”
Speaking on the occasion, former MLA Vijay Pai Khot said men and women participating in the walking pilgrimage face challenges due to the non-availability of toilet facilities on the way to Pandharpur.
“Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should make suitable arrangements so as to make the procession convenient for the participants,” he said.
Sara Desai, Laxman Pagi, Diwakar Pagi and Nandeep Bhagat also spoke on the occasion.
Chaudi Ganeshotsav Mandal donated Rs 25,000 each to the Vitthal Rakhumai Mauli Varkari Mandal, Canacona, and Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Mauli Varkari Mandal.
One Sanjay Desai provided financial assistance on behalf of Shri Shakti Ganapati Devasthanam at Karmal Ghat. Ranjit Desai, Ajay Phaldesai, Pramod Naik Gaonkar and others of Chaudi Ganeshotsav Mandal were also present on this occasion.
