Vari – Kala Ashram

Kalyani Nangude

ABSTRACT

Alandi is a pilgrimage town located in Pune, Maharashtra. It is the shrine of Saint Dnyaneshwar, a
marathi poet and philosopher of the 13 th century. Dnyaneshwar’s palkhi is one of the most
important festivals of Maharashtra, as it showcases the distinctive feature of Maharashtrian culture
which is a thousand- year- old tradition. It is a 22 days long festival in which the Vaari (procession)
starts from the Hindu month of Ashadh up to Karthik. It involves carrying the paduka (sandals) of
Saint Dnyaneshwar from Alandi to Pandharpur.

The palkhi festival attracts lakhs of pilgrims to the town from one week before the palkhi starts. In
2022, the number of pilgrims coming in the town recorded was 6 lakhs. Apart from the palkhi
festival, the Ekadashi (11th lunar day) of every month attracts thousands of pilgrims here all year
round.

Though this is a unique feature of Maharastrian culture, not much about it is mentioned in the
history books to educate the youth. Most of the young generation today are unaware or possess
limited information about the same.

Vari, Alandi will serve as a guide for people to gain knowledge and reminiscing the past, it will also
serve as a platform for artists from various fields to display their works related to this tradition. It will
also give the people an opportunity to experience the way of living of pilgrims and their day-to-day
activities. To celebrate and experience the tradition and history through exhibitions, workshops and
other cultural activities is the main aim of Vari – Kala Ashram.

INTRODUCTION

Alandi, also called Alankapuri, is located along the banks of the Indrayani River. It a very important
pilgrim place as the samadhi of Saint Dnyaneshwar lies here. It became famous when Saint
Dnyaneshwar came to reside here. He preached and inspired people to worship Lord Vitthal. He also
wrote the marathi translation of the Bhagwat Gita, which was called Dnyaneshwari.

Thousands of pilgrims come to visit the samadhi of Saint Dnyaneshwar during the Palkhi festival. This
festival falls in the Hindu month of ‘Ashad’. During this time, the varkaris(pilgrims) walk almost 150
kilometers, starting from Alandi to Pandharpur. Along the way, people celebrate together by singing
and dancing. This walk (known as Wari) starts when the kalash of the Saint Dnyaneshwar temple
moves on the first day of the festival. Pilgrims start coming to the town a week before the palkhi
festival starts. The current infrastructure is insufficient to accommodate the increasing number of
pilgrims, coming from all over Maharashtra.

Even though the history books do not mention much about it, this tradition is alive through the
varkaris who perform it every year. They have been handing down the history and tales to their
younger generations for years. Children who are fortunate enough learn about these tales from their
grandparents, who were informed about the same by their ancestors. Thus, it is important to have a
place where this history can be reflected upon, a place which can become a hub for experiencing all
the cultural activities of Varkaris.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This center will have the following aims and objectives:

1. Reminiscing history – It will act as an open book telling people everything that has happened
which has caused Alandi to become a place of such heritage and cultural importance.

2. Experiencing the tradition – It will let people experience all the traditions of the Vari
throughout the year and not only during the palkhi festival. The pilgrims can practice or
perform kirtans, music, dances etc. whenever they want to all year round. The visitors who
are unaware of the traditions can also get informed about these by visiting this place.

3. Platform for artists – There are several artists like painters, photographers, live sketching
artists and many more, who have been documenting these festivals throughout the years.
For example- there are several budding photographers who travel along with the varkaris
from the start to end documenting the whole Vari. This center will act as a platform for all
such types of artists who want to display their works.

4. Narrative of Varkaris – There are several pilgrims who come from places which are very far;
sometimes one might even find pilgrims who have crossed the age of 100 with their back
completely bent, worn out eyes and unable to walk in a Vari. It is interesting that even after
having so many issues they come here with a belief. Several such people are interviewed by
news channels as well. There should be a place where the narrative and tales of these
people could be displayed for other people to see as well.

5. Living in the way of the pilgrims – With the increase in the number of pilgrims every year,
the current number of accommodations prove insufficient for staying. This place will not
only act a cultural center but also as an Ashram for people to stay in. People visiting the
cultural center can also stay here to experience how the daily lives of pilgrims are
Case Studies selected:

A) Primary study-
1) Zapurza Museum of Art and Culture, Pune
2) Triveni Ashram, Markal, Pune
3) Maher Ashram, Satara
4) Varkari Shikshan Sanstha, Alandi, Pune

B) Secondary study-
1) Sabarmati Ashram

Identification of site:

The site(marked in red) is located along the banks of the Indarayani River. The Alandi bus depot is
located right in front of the site on the opposite bank.

The Sant Dnyaneshwar Temple(shown in yellow) is at a distance of approximately one kilometer

from the site.

There is a kaccha road/ pedestrian access to the site from the Dehu Phata.
Area of site: