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Grand Warkari Maha-adhiveshan pledges unity against plot to divide Warkari Sampradaya and Hindu Dharma

Over 1,000 Warkaris gather in Pandharpur to reaffirm their collective resolve, defend sacred heritage, and present key demands to the state.

Pandharpur, Maharashtra – The Warkari Sampradaya forms the backbone of Maharashtra and holds the unifying strength of the state. However, certain secularists, leftists, and self-styled progressives are attempting to weaken it. While the Warkari Sampradaya is all-inclusive and has consistently provided spiritual direction to society, a deliberate conspiracy is underway to portray the devout Warkari tradition and Hinduism as distinct entities. 

In response, a firm resolve was undertaken at the Warkari Maha-adhiveshan to unite against forces plotting to create a divide between the Warkari Sampradaya and Hindu Dharma.

The Maha-adhiveshan was organised at Sadguru Shri Gangagiri Maharaj Math on 25 July, on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi. It was presided over by Mahant Guruvarya Param Poojya Ramgiri Maharaj of ‘Shri Kshetra Godavari Dham Bet Sarala’. The convention drew over 1,000 Warkari devotees. 

The gathering strongly condemned modernist commentators who insulted devout Hindu Warkari Maharajs and revered Saints by labelling them ‘intruders’. Concurrently, staunch pro-Hindu individuals and spiritual leaders were publicly honoured with idols of Dnyaneshwar Mauli. Prominent attendees included Sudarshan Maharaj, Head of Inchgiri Math; H.B.P. Ramdas Maharaj Chaudhary of the Rashtirya Warkari Parishad; and H.B.P. Dattatray Chorge Maharaj.

Special Felicitations

Special honours, featuring idols of Sant Dnyaneshwar Mauli, were conferred upon key individuals for their notable contributions:

  • Shri. Nitin Kakade, for leading public agitation that compelled authorities to demolish an illegal madrasa in Hupari (Kolhapur).
  • Shri. Ganesh Lanke, for spearheading the legal battle against the chemical coating of the deity idols at the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur.
  • H.B.P. Ambhore Maharaj Karbhari, Vice President of the National Warkari Sena, for his continuous dedication to cow protection (Gau-raksha).

Hindus must learn from history and act against assaults on faith — P.P. Ramgiri Maharaj 

Addressing the gathering, P.P. Ramgiri Maharaj said, “Hindus fail to learn from history and lack unity, which is why various invaders were able to rule over us. Due to apathy towards assaults on our faith, foreign religions and miscreants are increasingly emboldened today. The Warkari Sampradaya serves to unite and guide society, yet misleading narratives are being spread about us today, including the conduct of ‘Samata’ dindis. Furthermore, certain groups are now claiming that Pandharpur’s Panduranga is not Vitthal, but someone else entirely.

The menace of ‘love lihad’ has reached every village and rural area. Young children are being brainwashed and taught Islamic prayers. Regarding cow protection, the government issued an ordinance in May establishing that if illegal cow slaughter occurs in any area, the local police, Tehsildar, and administration will be held directly accountable. With this in mind, we must compel the administration to strictly enforce the ban on cow slaughter.”

It’s time to unmask the real intruders in the Warkari Sampradaya — Sunil Ghanwat, HJS 

“A deliberate attempt is being made to create rifts and mislead the organised Warkari community. Despite Jagadguru Tukaram Maharaj writing numerous abhangs describing devotion to Shri Vitthal, banners promoting exclusive slogans like ‘None is greater than Allah’ and ‘Allah gives, Allah feeds’ are being placed along the Wari route. We must identify and neutralise this conspiracy in time. The time has come to reveal who the real intruders in the Warkari Sampradaya are. The Warkari Sampradaya is the life force of Maharashtra, and Hinduism is its soul!

Recently in Delhi, under the guise of the NEET paper leak protests by the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’, police vehicles were vandalised and officers were attacked. A riot-like situation was created alongside anti-national chanting. We must recognise these anti-national agendas and act against them.” 

Key remarks by other distinguished speakers

H.B.P. Narayan Maharaj Shinde (VHP): “Exploiting the innocence of Warkaris, certain groups attempt to mislead them through various allurements. Going forward, it is essential to identify and expose pseudo-Keertankars who have infiltrated the Warkari Sampradaya!”

H.B.P. Mahendra Maharaj Mhaske (Spokesperson, Rashtriya Warkari Parishad): Dev, Desh, and Dharma (Deity, Nation, and Faith) face severe challenges today. Many who serve the Sampradaya hesitate to voice their views from a religious platform. However, as P.P. Vakte Maharaj stated—’We are Vedic Sanatan Hindus first, and Warkaris second’—a truth we must always uphold.

H.B.P. Nivrutti Maharaj Hallyalikar (Spokesperson, National Warkari Council): Although the Maharashtra government has enacted a ban on cow slaughter, this law must be made more stringent. All pilgrimage sites must be declared free of alcohol and meat, and the Indrayani and Chandrabhaga rivers must be cleaned.

Shri. Dada Vedak (Central Joint Secretary, VHP): Warkaris must raise their voice against attacks on faith, nation, and deities without compromising their devotion, dedication, and sacrifice. Today, the institutions of family and marriage are under threat; we must build an ideal family system to unite society and the nation. Every Hindu family should dedicate at least one son to serve Dharma.

H.B.P. Maruti Maharaj Tuntune-Shastri (President, Rashtriya Warkari Parishad): As other religious communities are united, the government pays heed to their demands. In contrast, Hindus remain unorganised, leaving our faith vulnerable to attacks. Despite gau-mata (cow) receiving the status of ‘Rajyamata’, it is unfortunate that slaughterhouses continue to receive permits.

Shri. Prasad Pandit (Presiding Religious Authority, Pragya Puri Gyanpeeth, Akkalkot): Despite knowing the futility of Vajralepan (chemical coating), the temple committee stubbornly insisted on applying it. The Mandir Mahasangh and the Warkari Sampradaya exposed the truth through a press conference and stopped it via a legal battle. 

Resolutions passed in the Maha-adhiveshan 

The assembled Warkaris and devotees unanimously passed several key resolutions accompanied by resounding chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’:

  • Permanent ban on chemical coating: Celebrating the successful opposition by Warkaris and the Mandir Mahasangh against the chemical coating at the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple, a resolution was passed demanding that no chemical coating be applied to the Deity idols in the future.
  • Enactment of anti-blasphemy law: Demanding strict legal action and the immediate implementation of an anti-blasphemy law against individuals who disrespect Saints, saintly literature, national icons, faith, and deities.
  • Protection of temple lands: Calling for the proposed ‘Maharashtra Devasthan Inam Abolition Act 2026’ to be scrapped, and urging the government to instead enact a ‘Devasthan Land Protection Act’ to safeguard temple lands. 

Grand Warkari Maha-adhiveshan in Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi 

July 24, 2026

Uniting Warkaris and devotees to safeguard devotion, protect heritage, and assert long-standing demands

Addressing the press conference (from left): Shri. Dattatray Pise, H.B.P. Nivrutti Maharaj Hallyalikar, H.B.P. Maruti Maharaj Tuntune (Shastri), Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, and Shri. Prasad Pandit.

Solapur, Maharashtra – For centuries, the Warkari Sampradaya has imparted moral values, cultural preservation, and patriotism to society. Today, the Sampradaya continues to work relentlessly in the service of righteousness and national interest. In line with this commitment, to foster unity among Warkaris and to present key demands firmly before the government, a grand one-day ‘Warkari Maha-adhiveshan’ has been organised in Pandharpur on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi (25 July). Such gatherings have been regularly conducted in Pandharpur and Alandi since 2008. 

During this Maha-adhiveshan, a public condemnation will be issued against self-proclaimed progressives who insulted revered Saints and Haribhaktaparayan (H.B.P.) leaders by labelling them as ‘intruders’. Concurrently, Hindu Saints who have actively fought for the protection of faith and righteousness will be grandly felicitated. This information was shared during a press conference by Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh State Organiser for the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. 

The press conference was attended by prominent figures including H.B.P. Maruti Maharaj Tuntune (Shastri), President of the National Warkari Council; H.B.P. Nivrutti Maharaj Hallyalikar, National Spokesperson; Shri. Prasad Pandit, Presiding Religious Authority (Dharmadhikari) of Pragya Puri Gyanpeeth, Akkalkot; and Shri. Dattatray Pise of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.

Maha-adhiveshan event details

  • Date & Time: 25 July 2026 (Ashadhi Ekadashi) — 1 pm to 4 pm.
  • Venue: Sadguru Shri Gangagiri Maharaj Math, Next to Janakalyan Hospital, Bhaktimarg, Pandharpur.
  • Presided by: Acharya Poojyapad Shri 1008 Dandi Swami Amritashram Maharaj.
  • Key guidance: Mahant Guruvarya Param Poojya Ramgiri Maharaj, Seat Head of Sarala Bet, Shri Kshetra Godavari Dham 
  • Contact: 9975592892

The Maha-adhiveshan will feature addresses from distinguished figures, including senior Keertankar Santveer H.B.P. Bandatatya Karadkar; H.B.P. Rameshwarshastri Maharaj, President of the Maharashtra Warkari Mahamandal; H.B.P. Narhari Maharaj Chaudhary, Secretary of the Mahamandal; H.B.P. Prakash Maharaj Javanjal, Trustee of the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Devasthan (Pandharpur); H.B.P. Manik Maharaj More, Trustee of the Jagadguru Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Devasthan; Yogi Niranjannath, Chief Trustee of the Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Devasthan (Alandi); and Swami Bharatanand Saraswati Maharaj, State General Secretary of the All India Sant Samiti. 

Additionally, several prominent Saints, spiritual leaders, scholars, and heads of pro-Hindu organisations will present their views. These include Akshay Maharaj Bhosale, State President of the Shiv Sena Spiritual Wing; Tushar Bhosale, State Head of the BJP Spiritual Coordination Wing; alongside H.B.P. Maruti Maharaj Tuntune, H.B.P. Bapu Maharaj Ravkar, and H.B.P. Nivrutti Maharaj Hallyalikar representing the National Warkari Council, and Sunil Ghanwat of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. 

Key demands to be discussed at the Maha-adhiveshan

  • Alcohol- and meat-free pilgrimage sites: A primary demand will be raised to permanently declare all pilgrimage sites—including Pandharpur, Dehu, Alandi, Paithan, and Muktainagar—as alcohol and meat-free zones.
  • Strict prohibitions on religious proselytisation: Strict prohibitions must be imposed on religious proselytisation by non-Hindus within a 10-kilometre radius of these sacred places.
  • Enactment of an Anti-Blasphemy Law: The implementation of an independent ‘anti-blasphemy law’ to ensure stringent punitive action against individuals who disrespect saintly literature, national icons, faith, and deities.
  • Ban on misleading interpretations during Wari: The government must enact a permanent ban on individuals who distort the verses and teachings of saints, thereby disrupting the sanctity and atmosphere of the annual Wari pilgrimage.
  • Restriction on anti-faith groups: Entities such as the ‘Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti’ (ANiS)—alleged to support Naxalite ideologies—as well as vocal atheists and self-styled progressives, should be barred from entering the Wari. Furthermore, the immediate appointment of an administrator is demanded to investigate alleged financial irregularities within ANiS.
  • Grants to Vedic schools and environmental preservation: The Maha-adhiveshan will strongly urge government directives to provide monthly grants to Warkari educational institutions and Vedic schools, and urgently curb the pollution of the Chandrabhaga and Indrayani rivers.
  • Temple land restoration: The government must immediately restore temple lands illegally encroached upon by the ‘Waqf Board’. 
  • Enactment of anti-land grabbing law: A crucial resolution will be presented to permanently repeal the proposed ‘Maharashtra Devasthan Inam Abolition Act 2026’ and instead implement an ‘anti-land grabbing Act’ designed to safeguard sacred temple lands.
  • No chemical coating of deity idols: Discussions will highlight the collective campaign led by the Warkaris and the Mandir Mahasangh against the State Archaeology Department’s uncanonical decision to apply chemical coatings to the idols of Shri Vitthal-Rukmini.   

The organisers have issued an appeal to all Warkaris, religious leaders, and devotees to attend this historic Maha-adhiveshan in large numbers, to deliberate on these issues and pass resolutions seeking government action.

Read more on Hindu Janajagruti SamitiHindu OrganisationsPress Release

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