Palakhi yatra (pilgrimage) is an annual Maharashtrian event that is conducted once every year around June/July. It involves carrying the paduka or footprint of religious leaders – Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Saint Tukaram Maharaj on a palakhi (palanquin) from their respective shrines to Pandharpur, in Solapur district (450 Km from Pune). Warkaris (devotees) in large numbers (approximately four-five lakhs) travel from all corners of Maharashtra and neighbouring states to participate in the event.
The event is celebrated in Hindu calendar’s Ashadha month (June-July). In 2023, the pilgrimage is set to begin on 10 June at Dehu, the birthplace of Saint Tukaram Maharaj. The pilgrimage will continue for nearly 19 days before finally ending upon reaching the Vitthal-Rukmini temple at Pandharpur on 29 June. For the same reason, the Palakhi event is also known as Pandharpur Wari / Ekadashi Pandharpur Wari or Ashadi Ekadashi Wari.
Possible Disruptions
Traffic Restrictions
For Saint Tukaram Maharaj Palakhi Procession
Pune city Restrictions for 12 June
| Roads Closed | Alternate Routes |
| Bopodi Chowk to Khadki Bazar | Church Chowk via internal road |
| Church Chowk | Bhau Patil Road via Bremen Chowk Aundh |
| Poultry Farm Chowk | Opposite Railway Police Headquarters Aundh Road Bremen Chowk |
| Mula Road to Kamal Nayan Bajaj Udyan Chowk | Internal road to be used |
| Church Chowk to Engineering College Chowk- old Mumbai-Pune highway | Bopodi Chowk to Pune-Mumbai highway bound commuters to avail Bhau Patil Road via Aundh Road to Bremen Chowk |
| RTO to Engineering College Chowk | RTO Chowk – Shahir Amar Sheikh Chowk – Kumbhar Ves Chowk or RTO Chowk – Jahangir Chowk via Ambedkar Setu to Gunjan |
| RTO to Engineering College Chowk | Parnakuti Chowk-Bundgarden Bridge-Mahatma Gandhi Chowk |
transit points, alternate routes and satellite map of entire Pune City.
Pune Rural
- Vehicles from Pune to Solapur have to take the Wagholi-Kesanand-RahuPargaon-Chaufula route and traffic from Solapur to Pune will be redirected through the Chauphula-Pargaon-Rahu-Kesanand-Wagholi route from 0200-1200 hours on 15 June.
- Vehicles from Pune to Solapur will undertake the Theur Phata-Kesanand-Rahu-Pargaon-Nhavre-Kashti-Daund-Kurkumbh route and vehicles from Solapur to Pune will be directed through the Kurkumbh-Daund-Kashti-Nhaware-Pargaon-Rahu-Kesanand-Wagholi route.
- Vehicles from Pune to Solapur will undertake the Chauphula-Pargaon-Nhavre-Kashti-Daund-Kurkumbh route and those from Solapur to Pune will be diverted via the Kurkumbh-Daund-Kashti-Nhaware-Pargaon-Chaufula-Wagholi-Pune route.
- The Baramati to Patas and Baramati to Daund roads will be closed from 0200-1200 hours on 18 June. Vehicles from Baramati will use the Bhigwan-Solapur-Pune highway.
- The junction to Baramati road will be closed to traffic on 19 June from 0200-1200 hours. Traffic from Walchandnagar and Indapur will be diverted to Baramati-Ashti via Kalas from the junction and traffic from Baramati to other locations will move towards the Kalas Junction via Bhigwan.
- Vehicles from Baramati to Indapur will be offered two alternative routes from 0200 hours on 20 June to 1200 hours on 22 June – Baramati-Kalamb-Bawda-Indapur or Baramati-Bhigwan-Indapur.
- Likewise, vehicles from Indapur to Baramati may use either Indapur-BawdaKalamb-Baramati route or Indapur-Bhigwan-Baramati route.
- Traffic from Nimgaon Ketki to Indapur will be closed from 0200-1200 hours on 22 June. Vehicles from Indapur to Baramati will be directed via Loni Deokar-Kalas Junction or Loni-Deokar-Bhigwan route to reach Baramati.
- Traffic from Akluj to Baramati will be rerouted via Akluj-Bawda-Natepute and Indapur main highway should be used to travel to Baramati and Pune from Akluj from 0400-2000 hours on 23 June.
- Traffic on the Indapur to Akluj road will be completely closed on 24 June from 0200-1200 hours and on 25 June from 0200-1200 hours. Diversions will be placed via Indapur-Hingangaon-Temburni-Ganeshgaon-Malinagar-Akluj route and Akluj-Natepute-Walchandnagar-Junction-Bhigwan route.
For Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Route
Pune City Restrictions for 12 June
| Roads Closed | Alternate Routes |
| Kalas Fata to Bopkhel Fata, Vishrantwadi Chowk | Dhanori and Internal Road |
| Mental Hospital Corner to Alandi Road Junction | Dhanori and Internal Road |
| Sadalbaba Dargah to Patil Estate Road | Parnakuti Chowk-Gunjan Chowk -Jail Road-Vishrantwadi Chowk |
| Chandrama Chowk to Alandi Road | Internal roads to be used |
| New Ambedkar Setu to Chandran Chowk Bandh | Internal roads to be used |
| Holkar Bridge to Chandrama Chowk | Internal roads to be used |
| Holkar Bridge to Sapras Chowki | Internal roads to be used |
transit points, alternate routes and satellite map of entire Pune City.
Pune Rural
- Except for essential vehicles, heavy vehicles and four wheelers suspended in Alandi from 07-12 June.
- Vehicles traveling from Pune to Alandi will be diverted via Bhosari through Magazine Chowk.
- Vehicles from Moshi-Dehu will be stopped at the Dudulgaon checkpoint, while those coming from Chakan will be halted at Alandi Phata.
- Traffic from Vadgaon Ghenand-Shelpimpalgaon will be blocked at Koyali Phata.
- Vehicles from the Markal Industrial Area will be stopped at Charholi Bypass at Dhanore Phata.
- Vehicles from Chimbli Kelgaon will be halted at Chimbli Phata.
- Traffic from Pune to Saswad via Dive Ghat and Bopdev Ghat will be completely suspended from 1400 hours on 14 Juneto 1200 hours on 16 June.
- Traffic will be rerouted via Khadimachine Chowk – Katraj – Kapurhol. Traffic from Saswad side will be directed to Pune via Garade-Khed Shivapur.
- Commuters travelling to Saswad-Jejuri-Valhe-Nira from Pune has to take the Nira-Pune route through Zendevadi-Pargaon Memane-Supe-MorgaonNeera from 1400 hours on 16 June 16 to 1200 hours on 17 June.
- Traffic from Pune to Saswad-Jejuri-Valhe-Nira and from Nira to Pune will be diverted via Saswad-Jejuri-Morgaon from 0200-1700 hours on 18 June.
- Traffic from Phaltan-Lonand to Pune and from Pune to Phaltan-Lonand will be rerouted via Shirwal from 16-18 June.
Common Traffic Restrictions for both the Processions
| Roads Closed | Alternate Routes |
| Ganesh Khind Road – Rangehill Chowk to Sancheti Chowk | Range Hills – Khadki Police Station Underpass – Poultry Chowk – Old Mumbai-Pune Highway or Range Hills – Senapati Bapat Road – Nal Stop Chowk |
| Fergusson Road – Khandojibaba Chowk to Veer Chafekar Chowk | Khandojibaba Chowk – Karve Road – Senapati Bapat Road |
| Shivaji Road – Gadgil Statue to SG Barve Marg | Gadgil Statue – Kumbharves Chowk – RTO Chowk |
| Veer Chafekar Chowk to Wakdewadi Subway | Poultry Farm Chowk, Rangehill Road, or Aundh Road |
| Modern College Road – Deccan Traffic Division to Thopte Path Chowk | Ghole Road and Apte Road |
| Kumbhar Ves Chowk to Gadgil Putla Chowk and Maldhakka to Shahir Amar Sheikh Chowk | Kumbhar Ves – Pavle Chowk – Phadke Houd Chowk or Maldhakka Chowk – Narpatgir Chowk – 15 August Chowk – Kamla Nehru Hospital |
Click on – https://goo.gl/maps/4jJrsPGYMURkLSGh6 for live traffic updates,
transit points, alternate routes and satellite map of entire Pune
Areas That May Witness Disruptions
Click on the area names to directly locate on Google Maps
Schedule and Route for Saint Tukaram Maharaj Palakhi Procession
| Date and Day | Day schedule | Night schedule |
| Saturday (10 June) | Starts from Dehu | Reaches Imamdar Wada. |
| Sunday (11 June) | Reaches Shri Akurdi vitthal Temple | Halts at Akurdi Vitthal Temple |
| Monday (12 June) | Leaves Akurdi Vitthal temple for Nivdungya Vithoba temple at Nana Peth (Pune) | Halts at Nana Peth (Pune) |
| Tuesday (13 June) | Full day rest in Pune city | Halts at Pune City |
| Wednesday (14 June) | Starts from Nana Peth | Reaches Loni Kalbhor and halts at Shri Vitthal Temple |
| Thursday (15 June) | Leaves Loni Kalbhor for Yavat village | Halts at Shri Bhairavnath Temple, Yavat |
| Friday (16 June) | Leaves from Yavat village to reach Varvand | Reaches Varvand and halts at Shri Vitthal Temple, Varvand |
| Saturday (17 June) | Starts from Shri Vitthal Temple, Varvand | Reaches Undawadi village |
| Sunday (18 June) | Leaves Undawadi village | Halts at Baramati Sharda School premises |
| Monday (19 June) | Starts from Baramati Sharda School Premises | Halts at Shri Maruti temple, Sansar village |
| Tuesday (20 June) | Starts from Sansar to reach Aanthurne village via Belwadi | Halts at Aanthurne village |
| Wednesday (21 June) | Starts from Aanthurne village | Halts at Nimgaon Ketki |
| Date and Day | Day schedule | Night schedule |
| Thursday (22 June) | Leaves Nimgaon Ketki to reach Indapur. The ritual “Ringan” (circular movement by devotees and horses) is performed at Indapur | Halts at Indapur |
| Friday (23 June) | Full day rest at Indapur | Halts at Sarati |
| Saturday (24 June) | Starts from Sarati | Halts at Akluj Mane Vidhyalaya |
| Sunday (25 June) | Departs from Akluj Mane Vidhyalaya | Halts at Pirachi Kuroli Village, Solapur |
| Monday (26 June) | Departs from Boargaon | Halts at Shri Bhairavnath Temple, Yavat |
| Tuesday (27 June) | Starts from Pirachi Kuroli Village | Halts at Wakhri Village |
| Wednesday (28 June) | Departs from Wakhri | Reaches Sant Tukaram Maharaj Temple, Pandharpur |
| Thursday (29 June) | Full-day rest and celebration in Pandharpur | The devotees hold circumambulation around Pandharpur, and the pilgrimage will conclude on Thursday (29 June) |
Schedule and Route for Saint Dnyaneshwar Palakhi Procession
| Date and Day | Day schedule | Night schedule |
| Sunday (11 June) | Starts at 1600 hours from Darshan Mandap in Alandi | Overnight stay at Gandhiva, Darshan Mandap, Alandi Institute |
| Monday (12 June) | Departs from Alandi | Arrives at Palakhi Vithobha Temple, Bhawanipeth, Pune |
| Tuesday (13 June) | Full day rest in Pune city | Halts at Pune City |
| Wednesday (14 June) | Departs from Pune | Arrives by evening in Saswad |
| Thursday (15 June) | Full-day rest and celebration in Saswad | Overnight stay in Saswad |
| Friday (16 June) | Leaves Saswad for the town of Jejuri | Overnight halt at Jejuri |
| Saturday (17 June) | Leaves from Jejuri for Walhe Village | Overnight stay at Walhe Village |
| Sunday (18 June) | Leaves from Walhe village to town of Lonand | Overnight stay at Lonand |
| Monday (19 June) | Full day halt at Lonand | Overnight stay at Lonand |
| Tuesday (20 June) | Starts from Lonand towards Overnight halt at Taradgaon Taradgaon | Overnight stay at Taradgaon |
| Wednesday (21 June) | Starts from Taradgaon to Phaltan Airport | Halts at Phaltan Airport |
| Thursday (22 June) | Departs from Phaltan Airport | Arrives by evening in Barad |
| Friday (23 June) | Leaves Barad and heads towards Natepute | Overnight halt at Natepute |
| Saturday (24 June) | Departs from Natepute and heads towards Malshrias | Halts at Malshiras |
| Sunday (25 June) | Starts from Malshiras | Arrives in Velapur village |
| Monday (26 June) | Departs from Velapur for Bhandishegaon, outskirts of Pandharpur | Halts at Bhandishegaon |
| Tuesday (27 June) | Departs from Bhandishegaon | Halts at Wakhri Village |
| Wednesday (28 June) | Departs from Wakhari to Pandharpur proper | Halts at Pandharpur |
| Thursday (29 June) | Full-day rest and celebration in Pandharpur | Devotees gather and offer prayers followed by circumambulation of the city |
Itinerary for the Arena Ceremonies
Palanquin of Sant Tukaram Maharaj –
- 20 June – Balewadi
- 22 June – Indapur
- 24 June – Sadashivrao Mane School, Akluj
- 25 June – Malinagar
- 27 June – Bajirao Vihir
- 28 June –Wakhri
Palanquin of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj –
- 20 June – Limb of Chandobacha
- 24th June – Purwande
- 25 June – Khudus, Malshiras
- 26 June – Thakurbuvachi Samadhi
- 27 June – Bajirao Vihir
- 28 June – Wakhri
Recommendations
For Organizations
- Advised to undertake flexible working arrangements to minimize the impact of operational disruptions.
- In case employees are required to travel through Alandi between 07-12 June, organizations are advised to get travel pass issued from the concerned authority.
- MitKat advises offering transportation facilities to employees who need to travel through the tenure of the event.
- There is a possibility of commotion, communal disorder, and heightened security deployment around Pune city due to the event. Organizations are advised to remain vigilant and undertake suitable mitigation measures.
- It is also advised to map out alternate routes of supply chains while keeping extra stock in case of any contingency.
For Individuals
- Commuters travelling to and through the aforementioned areas are advised to have alternate routes mapped and cater for extra travel time.
- Religious sentiments are at its peak during such events, and it is advised to not engage in debates pertaining to identity politics or share unverified posts and/or messages on social media platforms.
- Those commuting through the impacted areas, women employees especially, are advised to remain vigilant and practice due diligence.
- Employees who need to travel are advised to avail office transportation facilities through the tenure of the event.
- Given that cases of snatching and pickpocketing tends to increase during festivals and near crowded areas, MitKat advises commuters to remain extra careful of belongings and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing heavy jewelleries.
- In case travelling in personal vehicle, advised to close the car windows and properly lock the doors.
Important Source Links
- Pune Traffic Police: @PuneCityTraffic
- Pune City Police – @PuneCityPolice
- Pune Municipal Corporation – @PMCPune
- Highway Police Maharashtra State Helpline Contact List – Control Room Contacts
- Weather Updates – Regional Met Centre
