Full Name: MAYUR RAMCHANDRA PARANKAR
City: Nashik
Decoration Theme: Wari is a communal pilgrimage that begins from various villages in Maharashtra and culminates in Pandharpur. It is a religious and cultural tradition in Maharashtra. This Wari takes place twice, during the Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi. The holy footwear (paduka) of Saint Dnyaneshwar from Alandi and Saint Tukaram from Dehu are carried in a palanquin, traveling to Pandharpur by chariot. In the Warkari tradition, there is no distinction between the high and low; the belief is that chanting the Lord’s name brings merit. The Warkaris never miss the Wari due to their deep desire to visit ‘Pandharpur, bathe in the Chandrabhaga River, and have darshan of Vitthoba.’ This is the core belief of the Bhakti tradition. Hence, the Ashadhi Wari holds a special place of respect and devotion in the hearts of all Warkari men and women. It is with this intent that I have tried to depict the same in this display.
