Varkari
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The Varkari tradition is a part of the bhakti spiritual tradition of Hinduism, particularly in the Indian states of Maharashtra And Northern Karnataka. Varkari in Marathi means travellers or more precisely repeat travellers. The Varkari sampraday (religious movement) is so called because the followers travel hundreds of miles to the holy town of Pandharpur on foot, every year on the Ekadashi (11th day by lunar calendar) in the Hindu calendar month of Aashaadha (which falls sometime in July). A pilgrimage is also made on Kartik Ekadashi (which falls sometime in November). This pilgrimage is called vari in the Marathi language and thus one who performs it in the path of devotion (Bhakti Marga) is a varkari.
Varkaris worship Vitthal or Vithoba, the presiding deity of Pandharpur who is considered same as Shri Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu. Varkaris can be categorized as vaishnavites. Saints from Maharashtra like Dnyaneshwar, Namdeo, Tukaram, Chokhamela, Eknath and many others spearheaded and strengthened the tradition with their teachings. The varkaris perform the pilgrimage to Pandharpur by walking with the palkhis of the saints from their places of origin all the way to Pandharpur. According to historians, Vitthal devotees have been performing "Vari" even before Saint Dnyaneshwar (13th century). However, the current tradition of carrying the "Paduka" (sandals) of the saints in a palkhi from their "hometown" (place of Samadhi) to Pandharpur was started by the youngest son of Sant Tukaram called Narayan Maharaj in 1685. Further changes were brought in by Haibatraobuwa and descendents of sant Tukaram in the 1820s. Today about 40 palkhis of saints from all over Maharashtra come to Pandharpur with their devotees. [1], [2], page 21
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[edit] Principles of Warkari movement:
1] Fasting on Ekadashi
2] Worshipping Lord Krishna in the form of Vithoba
3] Rejecting Discrimination based on caste or Financial conditions
4] Duty based-approach towards life
5] Reading of Holy religious books irrspective of the Caste or social status of Person (it is even said that Prostitutes and theifs are also allowed to read these books)
6] Brahmacharya (self-restraint) during student life
7] Good moral behavior and strict avoidance of alcohol and tobacco.
8] One should eat Vegetarian Meal on Thursday and on holy days related to Hindu calendar.
9] Strictly vegetarian diet for Brahmins and Vaishya castes.
[edit] Saints in the warkari movement:
1] Saint Dyaneshawar
2] Saint Sopandev, Nivrutee, Muktabai
3] Saint Namdev
4] Saint Gora Kumbhar
5] Saint Sena Navhi
6] Saint Chokhamela
7] Saint Tukaram
8] Saint Ekanath
9] Saint Narhari Sonar
10] Saint Maharaj from Khatik Community
11] Samratha Ramdas
12] Santaji Jagnade
13] Kanhopatra
[edit] Books in the warkari movement:
1] Dyaneshawri
2] Tukaram-Gatha
3] Sopandevi,
4] Namdev-Gatha
5] Eknathi-Bhagwat
6] Dasbodh
7] Abhangs (small poems) of Gorobakaka, Sena Nhavi, Chokhoba
[edit] Impact on People
The Varkari tradition has made all-pervading impact on the life of the common people of Maharashtra for six hundred years (from 13th century to 18th century). The Varkari has looked upon God as the Ultimate Truth and has ascertained grades of values in social life The sect has accepted ultimate equality among men. It lays stress on values such as individual sacrifice, forgiveness, simplicity, overcoming passions, peaceful co-existence, compassion, non-violence, love, humility in social life. The last point is illustrated by varkaris prostrating in front of each other because everybody is "Brahma" All these values were the cornerstone of the philosophy of Marathi Bhakti saints. The Varkari sect tried to mould the attitude of the common people which included low castes and women towards life. A person must have a kind of detachment while living his life and he must have the courage of his convictions in the face of evil forces that deform life and dreadful death. The writings of Sant Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram & others helped common man to inculcate these qualities in him.
The Saints Of the Varkari tradition made realising "Almighty" in very simple words. Each Of them wrote separate small booklets of verse in plain words.All called it the HARIPATH. Each saint in his own rustic but sweet style has tried to express the result of fusing the chanting Lord's name; as in Lord Vishnu and mentally feeling oneness with HIM. Such a state of mind surpasses all desires and negative thoughts. It resulted in people coming together unitedly
