Palkhi & Dindi Comparison
Beyond the Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram palkhis, several other saints' palkhis and dindis converge on Pandharpur every year. The dindi system (troupes of devotees within each palkhi) was organized in its modern form by Haibatrao Baba in the early 1800s — equality and devotion open to all remains the core of the tradition.
| Name | Start village | Distance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sant Chokhamela Dindi | Mangalvedha | — | Sant Chokhamela, revered for challenging caste hierarchies through devotion, is associated with Mangalvedha near Pandharpur. His dindi is a reminder that the Varkari movement's core message — equality and devotion open to all — runs through the entire Wari tradition, a system of dindis (devotee troupes within each palkhi) organized in its modern form by Haibatrao Baba in the early 1800s. |
| Sant Eknath Palkhi | Paithan | — | Sant Eknath, a major figure of the Varkari tradition known for his commentaries and devotional literature, has his palkhi originate at Paithan on the Godavari river, converging with the wider Wari toward Pandharpur. |
| Sant Muktabai Palkhi | Muktainagar / Trimbakeshwar (Nashik) | ~750 km | Sant Muktabai, younger sister of Sant Dnyaneshwar, has one of the longest palkhi routes of the entire Wari — around 700-750 km from Muktainagar via Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district, starting nearly three weeks earlier than the Alandi and Dehu palkhis to reach Pandharpur in time. |
| Sant Namdev-associated Palkhi | Narsi / Pandharpur region | — | Sant Namdev, one of the earliest and most influential Varkari poet-saints, is honored with a palkhi tradition tied to the broader Wari that converges on Pandharpur every year. |
| Sant Nivruttinath Palkhi | Trimbakeshwar | — | Sant Nivruttinath, the eldest of the four saintly siblings and the spiritual guru of Sant Dnyaneshwar, has his palkhi originate at Trimbakeshwar near Nashik, joining the broader Wari convergence toward Pandharpur. |
| Sant Sopankaka (Sopandev) Palkhi | Saswad | — | Sant Sopandev, lovingly called Sopankaka, was the younger brother of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Nivruttinath and the elder brother of Muktabai. His palkhi starts from his samadhi at Saswad, a halt also visited by the Dnyaneshwar Palkhi itself. |
Sant Chokhamela Dindi
Sant Chokhamela, revered for challenging caste hierarchies through devotion, is associated with Mangalvedha near Pandharpur. His dindi is a reminder that the Varkari movement's core message — equality and devotion open to all — runs through the entire Wari tradition, a system of dindis (devotee troupes within each palkhi) organized in its modern form by Haibatrao Baba in the early 1800s.
Sant Eknath Palkhi
Sant Eknath, a major figure of the Varkari tradition known for his commentaries and devotional literature, has his palkhi originate at Paithan on the Godavari river, converging with the wider Wari toward Pandharpur.
Sant Muktabai Palkhi
Sant Muktabai, younger sister of Sant Dnyaneshwar, has one of the longest palkhi routes of the entire Wari — around 700-750 km from Muktainagar via Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district, starting nearly three weeks earlier than the Alandi and Dehu palkhis to reach Pandharpur in time.
Sant Namdev-associated Palkhi
Sant Namdev, one of the earliest and most influential Varkari poet-saints, is honored with a palkhi tradition tied to the broader Wari that converges on Pandharpur every year.
Sant Nivruttinath Palkhi
Sant Nivruttinath, the eldest of the four saintly siblings and the spiritual guru of Sant Dnyaneshwar, has his palkhi originate at Trimbakeshwar near Nashik, joining the broader Wari convergence toward Pandharpur.
Sant Sopankaka (Sopandev) Palkhi
Sant Sopandev, lovingly called Sopankaka, was the younger brother of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Nivruttinath and the elder brother of Muktabai. His palkhi starts from his samadhi at Saswad, a halt also visited by the Dnyaneshwar Palkhi itself.
FAQ
What is a dindi?
A dindi is a group of Warkari devotees, often from the same village, caste group, or community, who walk together as an organized troupe within a larger palkhi procession. The modern dindi system was organized by Haibatrao Baba in the early 1800s.