Panaji: The Goa government will formulate a policy to provide facilitative support to Pandharpur Warkaris undertaking the annual Aashadi and Kartiki Ekadashi pilgrimage from the next financial year, the Legislative Assembly was informed during the recently concluded Winter Session.
Replying to a starred question tabled by Mayem MLA Premendra Shet, Art and Culture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar said the Department of Art and Culture has held preliminary discussions with representatives of various Warkari groups in the state to understand the issues faced by devotees participating in the Pandharpur Wari.
Based on these discussions, the government proposes to introduce a suitable scheme in the next financial year, the minister said in a written reply tabled in the House.
The government acknowledged that Warkaris from Goa travel to Pandharpur every year on foot at their own expense, incurring costs towards accommodation, food, medical supplies, and transportation of luggage and utensils.
The minister said the proposed scheme would focus on the registration and recognition of Warkari groups and the provision of basic facilitative assistance.
The assistance is likely to include first-aid kits, traditional cymbals (taal), rainwear, and transportation for the return journey from Pandharpur to Goa through Kadamba Transport Corporation buses, the reply stated.
The government also recognised the cultural and spiritual significance of the Pandharpur Wari and said the scheme is intended to support organised participation, including encouraging younger generations to engage in religious and spiritual traditions.
As per the reply, it is estimated that around 40 to 45 Warkari groups from Goa, comprising approximately 3,000 devotees, participate in the Pandharpur Wari every year. The process of registration of Warkari groups will be initiated shortly, after which exact details of registered and pending groups will be available, the minister added.
