06.07.2025 – Ashadhi Ekadashi- Wari Celebrated with the joint efforts of Berlin Bhajan Mandal and Shri Vitthal Dham, Kirchheim, Germany
Every year during the Ashadh month (June–July), a sea of saffron fills the roads of Maharashtra. Thousands of devotees, young and old, begin their sacred journey on foot walking for nearly 21 days toward the holy town of Pandharpur. Their destination: the Vithoba temple, where Vitthala affectionately called Vithu Mauli awaits them. But this is no ordinary pilgrimage. It is an emotional, cultural, and spiritual journey rooted in love, humility, and the belief that service to others is equal to worship of God.
The Legend Behind the Wari
The origin of the Pandharpur Wari is beautifully rooted in a tale of divine humility. Legend says that Lord Vitthala came to visit his devotee, Pundalik, only to find him preoccupied with caring for his aging parents. Rather than disturb him, Vitthala stood outside on a brick. Far from being offended, the Lord was moved by Pundalik’s selfless devotion and chose to remain on that brick, giving rise to his iconic image: “the one who stands on a brick.”
It is this message of love, humility, and social responsibility that inspires lakhs of people to undertake the Wari even today. The journey becomes a symbol of unity, equality, and devotion, where all castes, genders, and backgrounds walk together chanting “Mauli Mauli” in harmony.
The Wari Experience: A Festival of Faith and Color
For 21 days, pilgrims called warkaris carry saffron flags, play the veena and mridangam, sing abhangas (devotional songs), and dance through towns and villages. Women carry pots of tulsi or water on their heads, adorned in bright saris. Men don white dhotis and Gandhi caps. Entire communities come together to serve the pilgrims with food, shelter, and medicine.
As one pilgrim aptly said:
“This pilgrimage is everything for us. Every year we only wait for these days to meet our beloved Vithu Mauli.”
It’s not just about reaching Pandharpur it’s about living the values of compassion, togetherness, and inner peace that define Marathi culture and the Bhakti movement.
Tulsi – A Living Symbol of Devotion in Ashadi Ekadashi Wari
During the Ashadi Ekadashi Wari in Maharashtra, many devotees carry the sacred Tulsi plant on their heads, walking miles from their villages to the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur. This act of devotion symbolizes purity, surrender, and deep love for Lord Vitthal, as Tulsi is revered as his divine consort. Her presence in the Wari reflects the spiritual strength and unwavering faith of the Varkaris.
Berlin Bhajan Mandal – Celebration of Wari 2025
When Germany Walked with Warkaris – A Story of Devotion
Germany’s Pandharpur Wari Celebration at Shri Vitthal Dham, Kirchheim
The sacred rhythm of devotion found its way across borders once again, as the Pandharpur Wari spirit echoed on German soil for the second consecutive year. Organized with deep commitment, music, and spiritual energy by the Berlin Bhajan Mandal, the 2025 Wari was not just a celebration it was a movement of collective faith and cultural identity.
The beats of mridangam, pakhawaj, and taal from last year still resonated in memory, along with a powerful promise made by Shri Omkar Moghe:
“Next year, we’ll organize an even bigger Wari.”
These words inspired action. A larger Wari meant more people, more planning, and more responsibility. But no one hesitated. The community came together once again, determined to make it happen.
A Divine Alignment and a Two-Day Celebration
This year, the rare and auspicious coincidence of Ashadhi Ekadashi falling on a Sunday gave added meaning to the Wari. The Berlin Bhajan Mandal, now strengthened and inspired by last year’s momentum, began preparing with full dedication.
After much discussion, it was decided to organize a two-day celebration on Saturday and Sunday, July 5th and 6th, at Shri Vitthal Dham Ashram in Kirchheim.
The Journey to Kirchheim
With meticulous coordination, Kaushik once again managed the transport arrangements from Berlin. What began as 35 registered participants quickly grew to 50, then 60 and finally a bus packed with 65 excited devotees departed on Saturday. The journey wasn’t just geographic; it was deeply spiritual.
Devotional Programs That Stirred Every Heart
Upon reaching the serene grounds of Shri Vitthal Dham, the atmosphere was soon filled with bhakti and musical energy. The devotional programs began under the guidance of Siddhesh, who led the Kakad Aarti, Bhajan Sandhya, and Gajar with soul-stirring intensity.
This year, he was joined by Tejaswi, whose powerful presence and devotion added remarkable energy to every performance. Together, they mesmerized the audience across both days.
The musicians who brought the performances to life included:
Varad and Tejas on tabla Mayur on dholki, Mohit on clap box, Anurag on flute
Supporting them was a vibrant and talented chorus of voices:
Shailaja, Rashmi, Sakshi, Kaushik, Surabhi, Atharva, Aishwarya, Dheeraj, Ranjana, Manali, Devendra, Ganesh, Shivam, and Aditi.
The musical atmosphere was so divinely charged that even Paramhans Vishwananda, Guru ji of the ashram, was moved to request an encore twice during the Saturday night Bhajan Sandhya.
Behind the Scenes: Every Hand That Helped
Behind the energy on stage was an equally committed group working quietly in the background.
Vanidasi and Manjuladasi from the Ashram extended tremendous support, particularly by ensuring that Ekadashi meals were lovingly prepared for all devotees.
A heartfelt note of gratitude goes to Shri Omkar Moghe and his wife Mrs. Janhavi Moghe, whose thoughtful hospitality and coordination made the entire group’s stay at Shri Vitthal Dham Ashram comfortable and pleasant.
Meanwhile, Harshad was present throughout, skillfully documenting the Wari through photos and videos, ensuring that the memory lives on in the hearts of all who joined and those who will be inspired by it.
A Devotional Surprise on Day Two
On Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., a beautiful and unexpected moment unfolded. A new Dindi of about 50–55 devotees arrived from cities across Germany, Marburg, Alsfeld, Braunschweig, Frankfurt, Erlangen, and even Luxembourg. They brought their own Vitthal chants, energy, and love, merging seamlessly into the ongoing Wari. The atmosphere grew even more vibrant and deeply moving.
Games That Bridged Cultures
One of the highlights of the event was a thoughtful initiative to make the Wari tradition accessible to non-Indian devotees. On Saturday, traditional Maharashtrian games such as Phugdi, Ringan, Dhava, and Paule were introduced as a way to explain the cultural essence of the Wari to the 300-350 international participants at the Ashram.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. On Sunday, the games were repeated again this time with spontaneous joy and broader participation, creating a true intercultural connection through tradition, movement, and fun.
A Celebration That Transcends Borders
The 2025 Wari in Germany was far more than an event it was a statement of cultural continuity, unity, and devotion. A centuries-old Indian tradition found space, voice, and expression in the heart of Europe.
What made it truly special was not just the bhajans or the rituals, but the people each devotee, singer, organizer, volunteer, and supporter who carried the spirit of Pandharpur across borders.
In the chants of “Vitthal Vitthal,” in the smiles of those playing Paule, in the silence of evening Aarti, and in every heartfelt Namaskar, Germany truly walked with the Warkaris.
Once again, strangers were united solely by the name of Vitthal-Rukmai. Everyone became engrossed in chanting the divine name, immersed in devotion and deeply fulfilled. Living abroad can dull one’s connection to heritage, but this Wari revived and nourished that very consciousness. We realized yet again that this 700-year-old Wari tradition is a powerful expression of the Bhakti Marg (path of devotion). This 21-day journey from Dehu and Aalandi to Pandharpur is deeply rooted in the soul of Maharashtra. Slowly but surely, this sacred Suvarna Pimpal (golden peepal tree) is spreading its branches across the globe, because…
Without devotion, there is no liberation,
And without liberation, there is no fulfillment…
It was this great tradition the Wari and the legacy of the Warkari Sampradaya that we, the Berlin Bhajan Mandal, sought to carry forward.
Once again, we pulled the divine bow of the Wari, steadying it with resolve and unity. And as we set out on our return journey, we prayed to Lord Vitthal for the same strength and same passionate spirit for next year’s Wari.
Special thanks to:
Berlin Bhajan Mandal Team for organizing and preserving this tradition.
Mohit Joshi for providing pictures.
Omkar Moghe and Janhavi Moghe for continued hospitality.
Visit Bhajan Mandal on Instagram: @berlin.bhajanmandal
“When tradition walks hand in hand with community spirit, distance dissolves and devotion finds new homes – even far from its roots.”
May this temple of unity and devotion grow stronger each year and continue to spread divine harmony in society with grace and glory.
With commitment to connection and collaboration,
Shraddha Mishra
Founder & Chief Editor
Indo German Spectrum UG (hb)
www.indogermanspectrum.com
