Pandharpur: Warkaris from across the state, who were gathered at Pandharpur for the Maghi Yatra on Monday, were upset on witnessing sewage water flowing into the sacred Chandrabhaga river. Forced to sing kirtans and devotional songs in dirty surroundings, they were further angered. The warkaris had to pick up brooms and clean the riverbanks themselves.
“For a govt that spends crores in the name of warkaris, the least it could do is clean up the riverside.” The municipality has undertaken the construction of sewage and laying the underground drains and this work is proceeding at a snail’s pace. As a result, the city’s sewage is flowing directly into the river.
The warkaris complained the water was so polluted they could not even wash feet, forget bathing. They had to make way to the temple trying to avoid the sewage.
They were unable to have their ritual bath in the Chandrabhaga, instead, having to wash up before entering the Pandharpur temple. This is the state of affairs despite the Vithal temple authorities awarding a contract worth lakhs to upkeep the riverbanks.
