Varkari Tradition: The Path of Devotion to Lord Vithoba

Introduction

Significance

Auspicious Time

Required Samagri (Materials)

Preparation Steps

1. 1Adopt a strict lacto-vegetarian diet, avoiding onion, garlic, and intoxicants
2. 2Commit to daily nām-japa of 'Vithoba-Rakhumai' or 'Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari'
3. 3Study and internalize the teachings of the Varkari saints through abhangas and Dnyaneshwari
4. 4Observe ekadashi vrats (fasts) with devotion, breaking fast on dvadashi with prasad
5. 5Cultivate humility, compassion, and seeing the divine in all beings (sarva-bhūta-hite ratāḥ)
6. 6Join a local dindi (pilgrim group) for communal support and kirtan practice
7. 7Prepare physically for the Wari by practicing long-distance walking

Steps

1. 1Begin each day with early morning bath and nām-japa using tulsi mala (108 or 1008 repetitions)
2. 2Participate in daily or weekly kirtan sessions, singing abhangas with taal and veena
3. 3Observe ekadashi vrat: complete fast (nirjala) or partial fast with fruits/milk, night-long bhajan
4. 4Visit nearest Vithoba temple or home shrine for darshan, offering tulsi leaves, butter, and poha
5. 5Practice seva: serve fellow Varkaris, feed the poor, maintain temple cleanliness
6. 6Undertake monthly pilgrimage to Pandharpur or local Vithoba temple on ekadashi
7. 7Join the annual Wari: walk in dindi with palkhi of saints, chanting 'Dnyanba-Tukaram' continuously
8. 8At Pandharpur, take holy dip in Chandrabhaga, have darshan of Vithoba-Rakhumai, offer paduka puja
9. 9Return home carrying the spiritual vibration, continuing daily sadhana with renewed vigor

Mantras

Guidelines

• •Observe complete fast (nirjala) or fruit/milk diet on all ekadashis
• •Break fast on dvadashi only after offering food to Vithoba and serving Varkaris
• •Maintain strict celibacy (brahmacharya) on ekadashi days
• •Avoid all grains, beans, and heavy foods on ekadashi; consume only permitted vrat foods
• •Spend the ekadashi night in jagarana (vigil) with kirtan, bhajan, and scriptural reading

Do's

• ✓Chant Vithoba's name constantly, even during daily chores
• ✓Treat every being as a manifestation of the Divine (sarva-bhūteṣu cha ātmanam)
• ✓Share food and resources generously; practice annadana (food offering) regularly
• ✓Walk the Wari barefoot or in simple footwear as a mark of humility
• ✓Sing abhangas with emotion and understanding, not mechanically
• ✓Respect all saints and traditions; the Varkari path embraces all genuine bhakti

Don'ts

• ✗Do not consume meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, tobacco, or intoxicants at any time
• ✗Avoid onion, garlic, and overly spicy/tamasic foods
• ✗Never criticize other paths of devotion or speak ill of any saint
• ✗Do not undertake Wari for show, social media, or ego — it must be pure shraddha
• ✗Avoid luxury and comfort during pilgrimage; embrace simplicity and austerity
• ✗Do not neglect daily nām-japa even when busy or unwell

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• •Treating Wari as a tourist trek rather than a walking meditation
• •Chanting mechanically without bhava (feeling) or understanding the abhanga meanings
• •Observing ekadashi fast rigidly but neglecting compassion and ethical conduct
• •Focusing only on Pandharpur darshan while ignoring the inner temple of the heart
• •Creating sectarian divisions within Varkari sampradaya over minor ritual differences
• •Neglecting the study of Dnyaneshwari and Tukaram Gatha in favor of only external rituals

Regional Variations

• •In Karnataka, Varkari tradition merges with Haridasa movement (Purandara Dasa, Kanaka Dasa) worshipping Vitthala at Pandharpur and Vijayanagara
• •Gujarati Varkaris emphasize Pushtimarg-influenced seva and have distinct kirtan styles
• •Telugu region has Varkari-influenced bhajana sampradayas with local language abhangas
• •Urban Varkari groups (Mumbai, Pune) organize weekend kirtans and bus Wari for working professionals
• •Women's dindis have grown significantly, with all-female palkhi processions gaining prominence

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Traditional Notes

• •Dnyaneshwari (Bhavartha Deepika) by Sant Dnyaneshwar — foundational text
• •Tukaram Gatha — collected abhangas of Sant Tukaram
• •Namdev Gatha, Eknathi Bhagwat — works of other major saints
• •Bhakti-Vijaya by Mahipati — hagiographies of Varkari saints
• •Pundalik Mahatmya (Skanda Purana) — scriptural basis for Pandharpur
• •Annual Wari dates determined by Hindu lunar calendar (Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi, Kartika Shukla Ekadashi)
• •Palkhi tradition formalized by Haibat Baba (Tukaram's disciple) in 1685 CE

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