Horses are an indispensable part of the annual Pandarpur
Yatra in Maharashtra . The Yatra which begins
at Dehu and Alandi near Pune goes to the Pandharpur Temple
The entire procession of Pandharpur Yatra which is followed
by nearly 500,000 pilgrims is led by a horseman holding a banner. The horse
routinely dances in a rhythmic manner.
The first horseman is followed by a white horse which is not
ridden. No one rides it. The belief is that the horse is mounted by Saint Jnaneshwar.
The horseman also plays a vital role in the famous ringan
ceremony (gol ringan) performed by Warkaris (pilgrims) on a particular day. The
two horses move round in circles in the ringan ceremony.