Ashadi Wari is a centuries-old pilgrimage tradition in Maharashtra, commemorating the journey of Lord Vitthal’s devotees to Pandharpur. The festival has its roots in the 13th century, with the saint-poets Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram, who were instrumental in spreading the bhakti movement. Every year, thousands of “Warkaris” (devotees) walk barefoot from their hometowns, particularly from Alandi and Dehu, to the sacred town of Pandharpur, where the temple of Lord Vitthal stands. The journey, which takes several days, is filled with chanting of devotional hymns, dancing, and a sense of spiritual unity. This pilgrimage, held during the Ashadha month (June-July), is not only a religious event but also a celebration of Maharashtra’s cultural and devotional heritage, symbolizing the deep connection between the people and their faith.
WARKARI
ITINERARY Tour 01 (26-29 Jun 2025)
Day 1 : 26 Jun : We will meet at a pre decided point at Pune(Preferably near airport) in the afternoon. Will start from there in our vehicle to reach Jejuri. Will stay overnight at our prebooked hotel.
Day 2 : 27 Jun : In the morning, we will start for our first Ringan shoot at Velbandi, near Baramati. Ringan is the event where the sacred Palkhi is placed in the centre of a big ground surrounding which the warkaris perform their traditional rural activities. The Holy Horses are made to make round around the centre stage with beautiful decorative outfits.
After the shoot, we will leave for another Ringan at Taradgaon. This Ringan (Ubhe Ringan-Standing Ringan) is very special and different other Ringans. The Holy Horses are made to run through a straight road while devotees and onlookers are gathered on both the side to cheer and show their respect. After the shoot concludes in the evening, we will head towards our prebooked hotel in Indapur.
Day 3 : 28 Jun : In the morning, we will go to Nimgaon village where the warkaris can be followed at their resting place(mukkam) near the village temples. We can shoot the warkaris to reach the place in a group, performing their day to day activities in the made-shift camp areas and many other things. We will head back to our hotel in the afternoon.
Day 4 : 29 Jun : We will start late in the morning today to cover the rituals by the performers in one of the most beautiful Ringan location, Indapur. Speciality of this location is its red soil ground. The ring a location is well organized and thousands of onlookers gather to the place to observe the beautiful event. Here ringan is performed by Vennakari, Tarkari, Women with Tulsi plant on head and the Holy Horses. We will shoot tilll late in the noon and then go back to hotel and pack up. Our Palkhi tour of first phase will end here and we will head back to Pune.
ITINERARY Tour 02 (30 Jun-05 Jul 2025)
Day 1 : 30 Jun : We will meet at a pre decided point at Pune(Preferably near airport) at noon. Will start from there in our vehicle to reach Akluj. Will stay overnight at our pre-booked hotel.
Day 2 : 01 Jul : In the morning, we will reach to the nearby school ground to shoot our first Ringan at Akluj.The Ringan at Akluj is one of the biggest one as the ground is well organized to accommodate big number of people. Ringan is the event where the sacred Palkhi is placed in the centre of a big ground surrounding which the warkaris perform their traditional rural activities. The Holy Horses are made to make round around the centre stage with beautiful decorative outfits. Hundred of devotees first make the round carrying saffron flags in hand. Followed by Veenakari(carrying Veena), Tarkais(carrying local drums), Women(carrying Tulsi Plant on the head) etc. The final round comes for the Holy Horses. This is most amazing and photographic event where one has to take big precautions to avoid any unforeseen accidents.
Day 3 : 02 Jul : In the morning, we will leave for a special Ringan shoot at a distance of nearly 20km from our stay location. Here we can witness a beautiful human pattern created by the devotees surrounding the Palkhi and celebrating the Ringan by chanting, singing and dancing.
Day 4 : 03 Jul : In the morning, we will leave for another Ringan location on the way to Pandharpur called Velapur(Thakurbuache Samadhi). Here too we can witness the devotees celebrating the Ringan by chanting, singing and dancing along with many rural games and sports. The event is a beautiful occasion to shoot by drone subjected clarence by local police.
Day 5 : 04 Jul : Today is the final and most happening day for our Palkhi shoot. We will be shooting today in Wakhri where all the palkhis coming from different directions will together and perform. Here we can witness both Ubhe and Gol Ringan, Tukaram and Mauli Palkhi both and all the events and rural games we have seen so far in all different places. This location will be most happening and exhausting too simultaneously. The crowd would be the biggest too. But shooting opportunities would be aplenty. So be ready with your entire energy intact for the final showdown.
Nearest Airport : PUNE
Nearest Railway Station : PUNE
TOUR COST AND TERMS:
The workshop fee is Rs. US$700(for tour 01) & US$1000 for the tour 02, per person(Single Occupancy).
Advance: $500 While Booking(Excluding Transaction Charges)
Final Pay: On arrival
(For online transfer, sender must take care of any charges levied during transaction)
Fee Includes:
- Hotel stay (26-29 Jun & 30 Jun-05 Jul 2025).
- Local transport from Pune to shooting location to cover the entire festival and back by comfortable vehicle.
- All Meals during Workshop 26-29 Jun & 30 Jun-05 Jul 2025: Starting with evening tea on 26 Jun to end up with lunch on 05 Jul.
- Mineral water throughout the tour.
- Quality & professional photography assistance
Excludes:
- All meals apart from the above mentioned.
- Anything any individual orders personally.
- Expenses for personal habits.
- Medical Expenses
- Insurances
- Anything that is not included in the “Includes” list.
FAQ & TOUR INFO
What do I get from this photo-tour?
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- A thoroughly guided photographic experience by experts in the field who know the place very well.
- Guidance and information of locations and events before each day’s shoot.
- Guiding all participants about lens requirement, creative composition and camera settings on the field during photo shoot.
- Everyday review of participants’ photographs(subjected to time).
- Assisting in possible editing guidance(subjected to time).
- Guiding participants in finding photographic locations and vantage points for places and events.
Am I eligible for this tour?
Anyone above 18 years (unless accompanied by a parent or guardian) is welcome to join this photo tour. Below 18 years needs to be accompanied by parents or parents’ consent letter.
I am new to photography. Will I join this trip?
Yes of course. This tour is for all photography enthusiastic people. The more you travel and explore, the more your photographic eye will open. Moreover, our team leaders will ensure to give special attention to the beginners.
I am not a serious photographer, just a traveler. Shall I join this trip?
Yes, you too can join this tour as our tours are designed for both serious photographers and casual travelers for the purpose of both learning and entertainment. But you need to pay the amount of the full fee as the seats are limited and you could take place of a full paid serious photographer.
What equipments are required for this Trip?
Well, even the point and shoot camera will work fine. If you have a DSLR camera, any zoom lens and a wide-angle lens will work best. But to get the most out of the photo tour, our recommendation is to have a good DSLR/Mirrorless camera with 14-24mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm f/2.8 or equivalent lenses. A laptop with post-processing software, an extension charging board, an external hard drive, and extra memory cards will be helpful. For the review session, you must carry a pen drive along with.
What is the difference between ASP workshop Photo Tours and other tours?
We are not offering a package tour for general tourists; it is specifically meant for photography enthusiastic people and designed by experienced professional photographers. You will discover the place and learn a lot about this ancient city, local people and their culture which is an important part of our travel photography. We will try to observe the local people, their daily activities and cultural beliefs and will try to capture those moments using the right compositions and techniques. Our Team Leaders will help our guests to learn camera settings, framing and as well as post-processing. If that’s what your requirement is exactly, then surely join us for this exciting photo tour with ASP. Remember, this is not just only a phototour, it is a phototour wrapped with photography workshop.
PILGRIMAGE PANDHARPUR
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
If you cancel your registration, then you will be charged according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:
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- 90 days or more: 25%
- 60 days or more: 50%
- 30 days or more: 75%
- Less than 30 days : Non –refundable
(PLEASE KEEP A SCREENSHOT OF THE REFUND POLICY TO AVOID ANY UNWANTED DISCREPANCIES IF A NEED OF CANCELLATION ARISES)
OUR LIABILITIES & LIMITATIONS:
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- All itineraries are sample itineraries, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before the tour or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of the trip participants’ safety, comfort & general well being.
- ASP shall not be responsible for any delays & alterations in the programme or expenses incurred – directly or indirectly – due to natural hazards, flight cancellations, accidents, breakdown of transport, weather, sickness, road blockages, political closures or any troublesome incidents.
- ASP shall not be responsible for any loss, injury or damage to person, property, or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or other services, resulting – directly or indirectly – from any act of GOD, dangers, fire, accident, breakdown in machinery or equipment, breakdown of transport, wars, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferages, epidemics, medical or custom department regulations, defaults, or any other causes beyond our control.To see the entire portfolio of the Pakhi Yatra, CLICK here
