Day 1 and Day 2

The first day of Pandharpur Bhavayatra

 All the Shraddhavans reached the sacred Shreekshetra of Pandharpur on the evening of 5th May, 2001. When Bapu arrived at 10 PM, all the Shraddhavans rejoiced as their joy knew no bounds when they saw their Sadguru. Everybody along with their Sadguru Shree Aniruddha saw the ‘Sant Dnyaneshwar’ film after dinner. The wave of devotional sentiments overwhelmed every Shraddhavan after watching this evergreen film, which is an epitome of devotion(ananyabhav) towards Pandurang. Thus, the Bhavayatra commenced dynamically by praying at the lotus feet of great saint Dnyaneshwar mauli!

Day Two (6th of May)

All the Shraddhavans assembled in the Pandal(pavillion) in morning for the event. To begin with, all Shraddhavans had the fortune of receiving guidance from Sadguru Shree Aniruddha . “The Mahavishnu, the one who equally controls the light and darkness, himself is Pandurang! Pandurang stands for fair complexion (gaur varna), but the saints also address him as Kaala, Sawla (of dark skinned complexion), which only means that he is fair and also dark, both at the same time. While speaking at this time, Bapu said, "Our sentiment towards the Pandurang should be such that we feel, ‘He belongs to me and I want to belong to Him!".

Every Shraddhavan was determined to get drenched in the love for Vitthal in accordance to Shree Aniruddha's guidance. Later, the Shraddhavans were given wet soil and Archandravya (sacred offerings). They had to make a Conch(shankha), a Chakra, a Mace(gada) and a Lotus (Padma) by moulding the materials in the time between when Bapu said ‘Hari Om’ to indicate beginning the task, till he ended it by saying 'Hari Om' once again. They made all of the Mahavishnu's weapons(Ayudhas
) very devotedly, while chanting the mantra ‘Shri Hari Vitthal, Jai Hari Vitthal’. Afterwards, all the Shraddhavans offered the Archandravya on these Ayudhas, while the Pandurang Gayatri Mantra was being chanted for 108 times.

Pandurang Gayatri Mantra:

ॐ पद्मनाभाय विद्महे| पांडुरंगाय धीमहि| तन्नो हरि: प्रचोदयात्॥

Om Padmanabhaya Vidmahey | Pandurangaya Dhimahi | Tanno Harih Prachodayat ||

Later, Tulsi leaves were offered on the Ayudhas. At the time, Bapu had urged Shraddhavans to pray by saying, ‘Oh Lord, may at least one of the Ayudhas enter into my life and destroy my ill-fate ”.

After Sadguru Shree Aniruddha made Shraddhavans perform the novel poojan of Lord Mahavishnu, the ‘Shree Pandharinath Padmarag Pandurang Rathyatra’ (a festival of chariot journey which comprises of a procession) began in the evening.

Actually, this Rathyatra was to commence in the afternoon itself. Even so, Param Pujya Bapu was affectionately concerned for his Shraddhavan friends so that their feet do not get burned in the scorching afternoon heat. Thus, the Rathyatra was decided upon to begin in the evening.

Bapu offered guidance to all the Shraddhavans and told them that, “While pulling the chariot, I should believe that I’m the Parmeshwar’s vehicle. Moreover, I should also hold the humble sentiment that I’m His Vahaan(his carrier), which would imply to be His footwear. Understand this that once He wears the footwear, He is the only one, who will carry the burden.”

Everybody was highly gratified after they saw the magnificent idol of Lord Vitthal in the chariot, which weighed nearly 2 tonnes (2000 kgs). There was an image of Shree Hanumanta and a placard titled ‘श्री पंढरीनाथ पद्मराग रथयात्रा’ (Shree Pandharinath Padmarag Rathyatra) atop the chariot. All the Shraddhavans experienced the immense joy of being witness to this procession with great admiration. A rope was neatly tied to the heavy chariot which all the Shraddhavans pulled while chanting Lord Vitthal's gajar with faith, great enthusiasm and joy so as to draw the chariot ahead.

The ayudhas of Lord Mahavishnu moulded by the Shraddhavans in the morning were also offered at the feet of Vitthoba who was placed in the chariot.

The vibe here had turned immensely euphoric as thousands of Shraddhavans wearing saffron turbans and holding saffron flags danced to the beats of the evergreen gajars, ‘Jai  Jai Ram Krushna Hari’, ‘Majha Vithu, Majha Vithu, Majha Vithu, Vithu Vithu’, ‘Aala Re Aala, Majha Saawla Vitthal Aala’. The enthusiasm of the shraddhavans drawing the chariot ahead was heightened as Sadguru Shree Aniruddha himself walked on the path of this Rathyatra with all.

The female Shraddhavans too were dressed in the traditional attire of the nine-yard(Nauvari) Saree, a Nath (traditional nose ring) and the like as they danced to the rhythm of Dhol-Taasha (Indian musical instruments) while pulling the chariot. Each Shraddhavan felt a complete sense of content and fulfilment in life while pulling the Vithu Mauli's chariot. In the evening, everybody watched the film, ‘Sant Tukaram’ along with Bapu.  

The focal point of the Bhavayatra was Shree Vitthal and Shree Aniruddha screened this film for all the Shraddhavans in order to help them understand Sant Tukaram, who strengthens firm faith towards Lord Vitthal.