Page 22 - Procanvass

NIRMAL WARI – “पाऊले चालती पंढरीची वाट ”

(Feet walking the pathway to Pandharpur - a sacred place Hindus)

C locations and the government. This scenario can be
hanting this verse while dancing and rejoicing
to the rhythmic beats of cymbals and the
avoided by providing toilets & creating awareness about
'Mridangam', millions of Warkari (pilgrims)
reach Pandharpur. Pandhapur is a temple town situated the hazards of open defecation among them.
Noticing the current scenario ‘Seva Sahayog
on the banks of river Chandrabhaga. Every year, on the
occasion of Aashaadhi Ekadashi, Warkari clans start on foundation’, the NGO along with Rashtriya
foot towards Pandharpur to have a glimpse of their Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has started a public project
beloved lord Vitthal-Rukhmini. ‘Nirmal Wari’ to deal with this severe problem of open
defecation. ‘Nirmal Wari’ drive is about providing
There are two main ‘Palakhis’ which are always a centre portable toilets to mass gathering during annual
of attraction, ‘Tukaram Maharaj Palakhi’ from Dehu to Pandharpur Wari & get volunteers help to ensure
Pandharpur consisting nearly 1,68,000 Warkari and proper usage of toilets. Main goal of this project is to
‘Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palakhi’ from Alandi to avoid pollution caused due to open defecation and to
Pandharpur consisting nearly 2,80,000 Warkari. They augment the use of toilet among pilgrims. For this Seva
cover more than 300 Kilometres distance on foot in 21- Sahayog Foundation has taken an initiative of deploying
day journey, which includes sojourns at predefined toilets at wari halt locations and conducting awareness
locations. The provision of food is made by the clan campaigns about hazards of open defecation during
itself and partly by other devotees through donations. pilgrimage.
The Government of Maharashtra has ensured the
sufficient availability of water and electricity. The In 2015, Seva Sahayog conducted a pilot project for
Government also provides open and reserved plots for providing 400 portable toilets at ‘Loni’ & ‘Yawat’ in
Pune district which fall on the route of ‘Tukaram
shelter.
Maharaj Palakhi’. 1500 Seva Sahayog volunteers
During halts, the Warkari s have no option to defecate proactively helped to promote use of toilets and
in open space due to unavailability of public toilets. Post monitored cleanliness. This project was successful in
Wari, 33 destinations are affected by open defecation serving its purpose as Warkari readily used portable
which leads to pollution and multiple waterborne toilets. Due to this maiden effort, in 2016 request was
diseases. Due to this situation people living in these made to Government of Maharashtra for funding
villages vacate their place for 10 to 15 days. The main portable toilets.
stakeholders of wari are Warkari s, dwellers of wari halt

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