Mumbai: As lakhs of Lord Vithal begin their annual walking pilgrimage from the towns of Alandi and Dehu near Pune to the Pandharpur shrine for Ashadi Ekadashi on July 6, thousands of techies from all over the world have joined them.
On Friday, around 1700 information technology professionals set out from Alandi to Pune, the first section of the nearly 260-kilometre trek to Pandharpur. A total of about 5000 devotees will embark on the pilgrimage in batches, taking around 21 days to complete the pilgrimage which is popularly called dindi, a word that means procession. After a day's break in Pune, the group will revive their journey to the temple.
Thousands of Techies Join ‘IT Dindi’ Pilgrimage from Alandi to Pandharpur for Ashadi Ekadashi | File Photo
This year is the 20th year of the ‘IT dindi’. For Rajesh Patil, a consultant in IT project management and technology transfer, this is his 20th annual journey to Pandharpur. Patil compares the pilgrimage to the building of team spirit in a workplace.
“The profitable production of goods and services is linked to team spirit. Companies spend a lot of time and money on team building. When we participate in a wari (pilgrimage), we take this one step further. According to Hindu philosophy, the soul is a part of paramatma or God. In that sense, we are all one,” said Patil as he joined co-workers in the journey.
Thousands of Techies Join ‘IT Dindi’ Pilgrimage from Alandi to Pandharpur for Ashadi Ekadashi | File Photo
The groups also provide services like medical aid and food to the other participants. “We look at ourselves as sevaks of the varkaris, also spelled warkaris, the pilgrims,” said Patil.
Sujit Gokhale, who works as an application developer in Milford, Connecticut state, United States, joined his two sisters and a sister-in-law on the pilgrimage. This is his first experience of the tradition.
“This is a spiritual journey which I have been meaning to do for some time. When I visit India, I usually meet friends and relatives. My father and other members of the family have done this journey and I wanted to experience it too,” said Gokhale who moved to the United States 20 years ago.
Thousands of Techies Join ‘IT Dindi’ Pilgrimage from Alandi to Pandharpur for Ashadi Ekadashi | File Photo
The ‘IT dindi’ was started by information technology workers. However, the group now welcomes participants from other walks of life, guiding them in the practices and rituals. Bhavna Tipare, a homemaker from Navi Mumbai, joined the group to walk one section of the trek. “This is my first time and I am planning to join the pilgrimage again,” said Tipare.
Every year, 'IT dindi' adopts a new slogan which they wear on their caps, the varkari topi. This year, the slogans is Rakshaya Sindoor, Vaar, Kari, and Shuur.
Thousands of Techies Join ‘IT Dindi’ Pilgrimage from Alandi to Pandharpur for Ashadi Ekadashi | File Photo
The words recall ‘Operation Sindoor’ the Indian military offensive against Pakistan sponsored terrorism. “Jihadi terrorists, who considered us enemies, shot and killed our innocent tourists in front of their children, asking for religion. We destroyed their bases in Pakistan through ‘Operation Sindoor'. 'Vaarkari Shuur’ also means a brave warrior who keeps away differences and divisive forces through his sense of unity. Our caps and headscarves are a tribute to the warriors,” explained Patil.
