Pandharichi Wari Mobile Post Office to be flagged off on 28th June 2016

Vitthal temple of Pandharpur is the main centre of worship for Vitthala or Vithoba, believed to be a form of Lord Krishna or Vishnu and Pandharichi Wari is an annual pilgrimage to pay tributes to Lord Viththala in Pandharpur. The word ‘Wari’ in Marathi literally means ‘to visit at regular intervals’. This Wari is held during the months of June and July, starting on Jyeshta Vada Ashtami from Alandi and culminates at Pandharpur a distance of more than 205 Kms, on Ashadhi Ekadashi, the 11th day of Ashadha. Waarkaris' (Devotees) start their journey by foot carrying the palkhis (palanquin processions) carrying the paduka (foot prints) of famous saints of Maharashtra, most notably Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram. This tradition is more than 700 to 800 years old.

This annual pilgrimage has an important socio-cultural significance and to facilitate the communication service amongst the Waarkari, Pune Postal Region for the first time has taken up an initiative of introducing a unique Pandarchi Waari Mobile Post Office from 28th June 2016 to 16th July 2016. The Pandharichi Waari Mobile Post Office housed in a Mail Motor Service Van of Department of Posts will accompany the Wari from Alandi Devachi Post Office from 28th June and will reach Pandharpur on 15th July 2016.

Postal facilities viz. sale of postage stamps, mailing of ordinary letters, Registration, Speed Post booking, Money Order Service (Devotees can also receive payment of Money Order by producing identity proof), My Stamp facility etc. will be made available in Mobile Post Office. Benefits of various Govt. Schemes will also be explained at Mobile Post Office. The Mobile Post Office will halt al all the scheduled halts listed in the 'Waari Palkhi Sohala'.

On this occasion a set of 15 postcards specially printed with photographs capturing various memorable moments of Wari will be available for sale at the Mobile Post Office. The cost of the set of 15 postcards is Rs. 110. Postcards can also be mailed through Mobile Post Office by affixing Rs. 6 Postage Stamp. Another set of 5 postcards depicting images of postage stamps issued on ‘Sant Namdeo’, ‘Sant Eknath’, ‘Dnyaneshwari’, ‘Sant Tukaram’ and ‘Sant Dnyaneshwar’ will also be made available at Rs. 50 per set of 5 postcards. All these saints and the Dnyaneshwari are revered by the warkaris. Special Cancellation for each day of eighteen-day pilgrimage depicting the 'Sprit of Wari' will be made available at the Mobile Post Office. This is the first time that such mobile post office is accompanying the pilgrimage.