Sant Goroba Kaka Palkhi to Depart from Ter for Pandharpur on November 11

The annual foot pilgrimage of Sant Goroba Kaka begins on November 11, 2026. Setting out from Ter in Dharashiv district, thousands of devoted Varkaris will undertake the holy march to Pandharpur for Kartiki Wari. Both the temple trust and local administration have now finalized the official palkhi itinerary. Time is short. With Kartiki Ekadashi just around the corner, villages along the entire path are bustling with activity to welcome the walking dindis.

Departure Schedule and Key Halts from Ter to Pandharpur

The sacred route winds through Dharashiv and Solapur districts. On Wednesday, November 11, the procession starts at dawn from the Sant Goroba Kaka Samadhi Mandir in Ter after devotees perform traditional rituals, the sacred paduka pujan, and the kakad aarti. It is an ancient tradition.

The confirmed day-to-day schedule and night halts (mukkam) are as follows:

• November 11 (Day 1): Departure from Ter after morning mahapuja, passing through village roads to the first night halt at Hinglajwadi.
• November 12 (Day 2): Morning march towards Dharashiv city, where local devotees and resident dindis will receive the palkhi for the night halt.
• November 13 (Day 3): Journey continues towards Bhatambare for the third night stay.
• November 14 (Day 4): Palkhi enters the Solapur district border and arrives at Vairag for an extended evening kirtan and rest.
• November 15 (Day 5): Morning walk through rural passages, halting at Yawali and Khairao.
• November 16 (Day 6): Procession halts at Anagar, where rural families arrange traditional meals for pilgrims.
• November 17 (Day 7): Final major rural halt at Ropale before crossing into the holy periphery of Pandharpur.
• November 18 (Day 8): Auspicious entry into Pandharpur on the banks of Chandrabhaga river, joining thousands of fellow Varkaris to offer reverence to Shri Vitthal and Rukmini Mata.

Route Repairs and Health Infrastructure

Pilgrims walk every mile on foot. To protect them, public works departments across Dharashiv and Solapur have stepped up repairs along state highways and connecting rural roads. Work crews are finishing pothole repairs, leveling road shoulders, and hacking away thick thorn bushes lining pedestrian tracks. And district collectors have made sure clean drinking water is never out of reach, ordering tankers stationed every five kilometers.

Healthcare teams are ready for the long march. Primary health centres along the route will operate medical response posts around the clock. Mobile vans stocked with essential medicines, first-aid supplies, and blister treatment kits will travel directly with the dindis. Help is always nearby. Local volunteers and ambulance units are on standby to aid elderly pilgrims who need rest or care.

Dindi Registration and Special Transport Arrangements

Registration is now open. The Sant Goroba Kaka Sansthan has opened a registration helpdesk right at the temple office in Ter. Every dindi chief must submit group papers by November 9 to receive official passes for their supply trucks. Discipline is essential during the pilgrimage. Trustees have asked dindi pramukhs to carry valid identity papers, maintain order during morning and evening nagar pradakshina, and assign volunteers to manage roadside crowds.

State transport is stepping in to keep travel smooth. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has arranged extra buses connecting Osmanabad, Barsi, and Kurduvadi with Ter so devotees can attend the departure ceremonies on November 11. And plans are already in place for the journey home. Return services from Pandharpur after Kartiki Ekadashi will ensure every pilgrim gets back safely.

Spiritual Readiness of Devotees

Excitement fills the air in Ter. With departure day around the corner, the entire village resonates with devotional abhangs and thunderous chants of "Jai Hari Vitthal." Varkaris are busy tuning their mridangs, polishing cymbals, mending saffron flags, and packing humble dry rations for the eight-day trek. Hearts are full. Anchored by deep devotion to Sant Goroba Kaka and Mauli, these pilgrims are ready to walk the dusty roads, longing only for the divine darshan of Shri Vitthal on the sands of Pandharpur.