Picture Book based on Pandarpur Yatra – Wari – Pilgrimage of Joy

“Wari – Pilgrimage of Joy” by Sandesh Bhandare from Pune is a pictorial representation of the annual Pandarpur Yatra from Alandi to Lord Vithal Temple in Pandarpur. The pilgrimage known as ‘Wari’ is undertaken in Maharashtra by millions of “Warkari” (pilgrims) and has entirely been a peoples' initiative. The book was released in English and French by Heritage India Communications Pvt Ltd.

“Wari – Pilgrimage of Joy” was originally published in Marathi in 2008 and was a major success. The 147-page book in English has around 130 color photographs focusing on the daily routine of the pilgrims.

Times of India reports

"I had put up an exhibition of the photographs of the wari in France in March this year. There was a lot of curiosity about Indian heritage there and hence the publishers thought of publishing the book in French," Bhandare said.

"The Marathi book received a very good response from the people and since our aim is to take Indian heritage far and wide, our decision to publish these books in English and French," Heritage India Communications director Manjiri Khandekar said.

According to Bhandare, the book focuses purely on the lives of the warkaris'. "In fact, I have not included a single photo of even Lord Vithoba. The book only talks about the way the warkaris spend the duration of the wari in absolute happiness, keeping their sorrows of the year aside," Bhandare says.

Wari – Pilgrimage of Joy
Author: Sandesh Bhandare
Published by Heritage India Communications
Original price- Rs. 750/-