In today’s day and age, when we are fast developing a globalculture, there are still some cherished traditions which have been in practicefor over centuries now. The annual walking pilgrimage, Wari that takes place inMaharashtra is one such shining example.
Eminent photographer, Shirish Shete has captured the movingspectacle for the past eight years, and he has presented the tradition inpictures in a coffee table book, Te Teerthanche Maher in Marathi.
The 188 page book, published by Maitreya Publications, givesa background of the Warkaris, the pilgrims who walk their way for 22 days tothe temple town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra. It also talks about the varioussaints and their contribution to this 700-plus-year-old tradition.
The book is a collection of about 250 splendid colourphotographs depicting the journey from its first day in Dehu to the final stopof Pandharpur where thousands of ardent devotees gather to pay their respectsto Lord Pandurang.
It also takes the viewer on a trip to Hampi in Karnataka tosee the famous Vithal Mandir, the Gurudwara of Namdev Maharaj in PunjabandNamdevji ka Mandir in Delhi. It also provides a guide that introduces to theuninitiated several customs, facts and folklore associated with this culturalpot of gold.
“Traditions which are part of Maharashtra’s rich culture canonly be preserved if they are continued in practice or documented, and promotedto make it widely accessible,” says Shete.
This book is another masterpiece by Shete after DancingMaidens “ a book on the theatrical dance form of Lavni, native to Maharashtraand Wari: Path to the Divine.
Shete is a graduate in science and has worked as aphotojournalist in leading newspapers like Indian Express, Mid-day and DalalStreet Journal. He has contributed centrespreads and cover pages to Debonair.The author is a working as a photojournalist with the Press Trust of India forthe past 14 years and is currently designated as the Chief Photographer.
