‘Vitthal Vitthal Garzi, Awaghi Dumdumali Pandhari’- Sant Chokhamela

Today on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Hindu month of Ashadha called ‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’ all the devotees of Vitthala (warkari) arrives at Pandharpur. This holy day is special to all the Vaishnavas, this marks the beginning of the 'Chautramas', the holy four-month period when Lord Vishnu goes into a deep sleep in the ‘Ksheersagar’ on the Shesha naga. Hence, this eleventh day is also called Dev-Shayani Ekadashi or Hari-Shayani Ekadashi.

Ashadi Ekadashi is celebrated all over Maharashtra with grace and devotion towards the presiding deity of Pandharpur, Lord Vitthal. Pandharpur is flocked by the Dindin's of warkari’s from all over Maharashtra every year on this day. The warkari is a sampradaya which is a part of the Hindu tradition in the region since the 13th century, it reached its pinnacle during the Bhakti movement. Warkari sampradaya recognises fifty-poet saints whose words are a document over five hundred years in hagiography by Mahipati.

The warkari look upon God as the ultimate truth and ascertained grades of values in social life but accepts ultimate equality among men.

To honours, this on-going tradition India Post and Government of India has issued stamps and coin illustrated the famous saints of the Varkari Sampradaya.

To know more about stamp Visit philamart to view and purchase a variety of stamps from all over the world.

Image Courtesy: Hobbies Kart (coin image)