Pandharpur: Currently, around 12-15 lakh warkaris are gathered in Pandharpur as it is the auspicious month of Ashadh, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. At a meeting between the guardian minister of Solapur, Vijay Deshmukh and the Warkari Sampraday on Friday, the group demanded a ban on the sale of alcohol and meat during this period. Warkaris worship Vitthal (also known as Vithoba), the presiding deity of Pandharpur. They undertake an annual pilgrimage (wari) to Pandharpur, gathering there on Ekadashi (the 11th day) of Ashadh.
This year, Ashadhi Ekadashi is on July 12. For the past 35 years, the Vitthal worshippers have demanded a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol and meat and have resorted to protests several times. When the government has so many other sources of revenue, why does it want money from the sale of liquor and meat, at the expense of devotees' sentiments, the warkaris asked Deshmukh.
