Ashadi Ekadasi
In the Hindu lunar calendar, Ekadashi is
the eleventh day of the fortnight after a new moon or a full
moon, and is considered auspicious for the worship of Lord
Vishnu. The Ekadashi after the new moon in the Hindu month
of Ashada is of special significance to the devotees of Lord
Vitthal, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Tradition has it
that two of the greatest devotees of the Lord from the state
of Maharashtra, Sant Jnaneshwar and Sant Tukaram had set 
out
on a pilgrimage from their respective places to the shrine
of Lord Vitthala in Pandharpur and reached the Divine Abode
in fifteen days time on this auspicious day of Ashadi Ekadashi.
Following the tradition set by these great souls, devotees
from the entire length and breadth of Maharashtra, set out
for
Pandharpur (the abode of Lord Vitthala), wearing basil beads
and singing His glory on a pilgrimage to reach there in the
stipulated period of fifteen days on this auspicious day to
have Divine Darshan. These devotees are known as Varkaris
and the pilgrimage is traditionally called Dindi Yatra.
out
on a pilgrimage from their respective places to the shrine
of Lord Vitthala in Pandharpur and reached the Divine Abode
in fifteen days time on this auspicious day of Ashadi Ekadashi.
Following the tradition set by these great souls, devotees
from the entire length and breadth of Maharashtra, set out
for
Pandharpur (the abode of Lord Vitthala), wearing basil beads
and singing His glory on a pilgrimage to reach there in the
stipulated period of fifteen days on this auspicious day to
have Divine Darshan. These devotees are known as Varkaris
and the pilgrimage is traditionally called Dindi Yatra.
In recent times, the holy festival of ‘Ashadi
Ekadashi’ has seen multitudes from the states of Maharashtra
and Goa make the pilgrimage to Prasanthi Nilayam to celebrate
this important festival in the Divine Presence. Devotees from
the states of Maharashtra and Goa commence their Dindi Yatra
from the town of Dharmavaram (about 40 kilometres from Puttaparthy)
on foot and reach Prasanthi Nilayam, on the morning of Ashadi
Ekadashi to have the Darshan and blessings of Bhagawan. This
is usually followed by a cultural programme presented by the
Bal Vikas children of Maharashtra and Goa.
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