The Central Railway (CR) has announced the operation of 64 special trains to accommodate the influx of devotees traveling for Ashadhi Ekadashi, a significant Hindu festival celebrated on July 17th this year. The announcement was made through a post on X (formerly Twitter), where the CR also encouraged devotees to visit the Indian Railways website or download the NTES app for detailed information and train schedules. Ashadhi Ekadashi witnesses a massive pilgrimage to Pandharpur, a town in Solapur district, Maharashtra, where devotees converge to visit the temple of Lord Vitthal. Every year, lakhs of devotees from across Maharashtra, chanting hymns of Saint Dnyaneshwar and Saint Tukaram, embark on the pilgrimage, known as ‘wari,’ which involves a journey on foot. This year, the ‘palkhis’ (palanquins) carrying the sacred symbols of Sant Tukaram and Sant Dhyaneshwar are expected to reach Pandharpur’s Lord Vithoba temple on July 17th.
To ensure a smooth and convenient journey for the pilgrims, the Maharashtra government has implemented a toll exemption for all vehicles carrying devotees to Pandharpur. This exemption will be in effect from July 3rd to 21st, according to a government notification. The toll exemption applies to both light and heavy vehicles transporting pilgrims, and authorities are issuing stickers and passes for identification. Furthermore, the government has directed officials to maintain heightened security patrolling around toll booths and undertake necessary repairs on roads and highways leading to Pandharpur, including the Sion-Panvel highway, Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Mumbai-Bangalore national highway, Pune-Solapur, and Pune-Satara-Solapur highways.
