The Yaatra

The Chandrabhaaga(a river which represents the flow of devotion towards Lord Vitthal) of Lord Vitthal's devotion does not just flow in Maharashtra, but this sound of devotion towards Lord Vitthal reverberates all over the nation and beyond. One feels highly elated and is engulfed entirely with euphoria due to his love as soon as Lord Vitthal's name is pronounced. The Vaarkari(pilgrims) that merrily sing the praises of Lord Vitthal, his gajars - “Vitthal Vitthal..., Gyanba Tukaram..” and dance through the sun-scorched street every year on the days of Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi(the 11th lunar day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashadh and Kartik), have extended the reach of Lord Vitthal's name, far and wide.

Saints and pilgrims with extreme self-assurance say, “Jevha Navhtya Ganga-Goda, Tevha Hoti Chandrabhaga” (When did not exist the Ganga and Goda rivers, there existed the Chandrabhaga), “Aadhi Rachili Pandhari, Mag Vaikuntha Nagri” (He first created Pandharpur and only then did he create the Vaikuntha(heaven)).

In the year 2001, Sadguru Shree Aniruddha (Bapu) had organised a Bhavayatra (an emotional journey) to the Shreekshetra Pandharpur, the residence of the deity who is affectionately invoked by the Shraddhavans with innumerable names such as Pandharinath, Vitthal, Vithu, Pandurang.

Sadguru Shree Aniruddha made an announcement for this Bhavyatra after four Rasayatras of Shirdi, Akkalkot, Alandi and Mangesh Shantadurga-Goa had taken place. This announcement passed a wave of enthusiasm within every Shraddhavan who was present at the time. All of them keenly awaited for the Bhavayatra to commence.

“Bhakti is the 16th affluence that we receive along with Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur. The saints believe that Pandharpur is their mother's home, the Chandrabhaaga their sister and Pundalik(who was an ardent devotee), their brother. A devotee walks on the path of Pandhari(Pandharpur) only to attain their mother's home, this 16th affluence of Bhakti”, said Bapu while speaking of the peculiarity of this Pandharpur Bhavayatra. Bhakti(devotion) is the only agent between the Parmeshwar and the devotee, and nobody else.

Bapu had also said that this Bhavayatra is extremely necessary to make the best of our life, to immerse ourselves entirely in the divine name of the Parabramha Savala Vitthal and to bring back the everlasting treasure of euphoria along with us with love. Such was the 4-day Pandharpur Bhavayatra, which began from 5th May, 2001 and concluded on 8th May, 2001.