Lokanath Swami

Dindi from Dehu (Pune) to Pandharpur

A dindi (procession) was organised under the aegis of ISKCON Pune. It was a sterling example of co-operative effort as there were disciples of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj, HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj and HH Bhakti Vikas Swami Maharaj all participating in one grand dindi march from Dehu to Pandharpur. More than 40 brahmacaris from ISCKON Pune participated in this years’ dindi.

Dehu is a small village near Pune and is noted as it is the birthplace of Saint Tukaram (a visionary Vaishnava Saint, who received initiation directly from Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself. He is noted especially for his kirtans glorifying Krsna in the form of Vitthala or Panduranga. It has been recorded that a plane from Vaikuntha was visible at the time of his departure from this material world). Though the dindi procession is an annual event, it assumed special significance this year as it is the 400th Anniversary of the appearance of Saint Tukaram. The ISKCON Pune dindi therefore commenced from Dehu and proceeded to Sri Dham Pandharpur. In all it was a 15 days walk, and the dindi was marked by continuous ecstatic kirtans, book distributions, pravacans and many other activities all aimed at ensuring Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s desire of spreading the Holy Name of Krsna across every town and village comes true. This years’ dindi was led by HG Laxmi Narayana Prabhu, a disciple of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj.

Given below is the rigorous schedule followed by the dindi participants:

4.30 am Shikshastakam prayers followed by recitation of the Ten Offences while chanting the Holy Name
5 – 7 am Chanting of 16 rounds
7 am Mangal Aarti and Shringar Darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Goursundar
7.30 am Narsimha prayers and Tulasi pranama
7.45 am Srimad Bhagavatam Class
8.15 am Breakfast Prasadam
8.30 am Commence walk for the day
6.30 pm Stop walking. Perform Gaura Aarti

Lunch Prasadam would be consumed during a short halt while on the road itself.

The main aspect of the walk was the preaching activities. The dindi managed to distribute over 8000 special issues of Back to Godhead! Hari Bol! Besides this, there were several discourses on the glories of the pastimes of Saint Tukaram, Bhuvaikunth Pandharpur Dham, and the relationship between the Brahma Madhva Sampradaya and the Warkari Sampradaya. (The Warkaris are mainly agrarian and are staunch devotees of Lord Krishna in the form of Vitthala). Besides this there would be continuous kirtans going on, with several dindi participants and others participating not only in the kirtans, but also in the dancing.

The dindi would invariably be warmly received by villagers in the evenings and would be provided with decent accommodation and facilities for their night halts. The devotees would spend the evening interacting with the locals and preaching the glories of the Holy Name and Saint Tukarams teachings to them. Dinner Prasadam would normally be with the locals and they would also get the benefit of partaking Krsna Prasadam.

The dindi has just arrived in Sri Dham Pandharpur and the amazing thing is that they still seem to have oodles of energy left in them. They have now set up their dindi cart in Sri Sri Radha Pandarinath (ISKCON Pandharpur) temple, and continue their book distribution and Hari Naam Sankirtans with the same enthusiasm as on the very first day of the dindi!

Please watch this space for further updates!


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Dindi from Dehu (Pune) to Pandharpur A dindi (procession) was organised under the aegis of ISKCON Pune. It was a sterling example of co-operative effort as there were disciples of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj, HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj and HH Bhakti Vikas Swami Maharaj all participating in one grand dindi march from Dehu to Pandharpur. More than 40 brahmacaris from ISCKON Pune participated in this years’ dindi. Dehu is a small village near Pune and is noted as it is the birthplace of Saint Tukaram (a visionary Vaishnava Saint, who received initiation directly from Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself. He is noted especially for his kirtans glorifying Krsna in the form of Vitthala or Panduranga. It has been recorded that a plane from Vaikuntha was visible at the time of his departure from this material world). Though the dindi procession is an annual event, it assumed special significance this year as it is the 400th Anniversary of the appearance of Saint Tukaram. The ISKCON Pune dindi therefore commenced from Dehu and proceeded to Sri Dham Pandharpur. In all it was a 15 days walk, and the dindi was marked by continuous ecstatic kirtans, book distributions, pravacans and many other activities all aimed at ensuring Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s desire of spreading the Holy Name of Krsna across every town and village comes true. This years’ dindi was led by HG Laxmi Narayana Prabhu, a disciple of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. Given below is the rigorous schedule followed by the dindi participants: 4.30 am Shikshastakam prayers followed by recitation of the Ten Offences while chanting the Holy Name 5 – 7 am Chanting of 16 rounds 7 am Mangal Aarti and Shringar Darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Goursundar 7.30 am Narsimha prayers and Tulasi pranama 7.45 am Srimad Bhagavatam Class 8.15 am Breakfast Prasadam 8.30 am Commence walk for the day 6.30 pm Stop walking. Perform Gaura Aarti Lunch Prasadam would be consumed during a short halt while on the road itself. The main aspect of the walk was the preaching activities. The dindi managed to distribute over 8000 special issues of Back to Godhead! Hari Bol! Besides this, there were several discourses on the glories of the pastimes of Saint Tukaram, Bhuvaikunth Pandharpur Dham, and the relationship between the Brahma Madhva Sampradaya and the Warkari Sampradaya. (The Warkaris are mainly agrarian and are staunch devotees of Lord Krishna in the form of Vitthala). Besides this there would be continuous kirtans going on, with several dindi participants and others participating not only in the kirtans, but also in the dancing. The dindi would invariably be warmly received by villagers in the evenings and would be provided with decent accommodation and facilities for their night halts. The devotees would spend the evening interacting with the locals and preaching the glories of the Holy Name and Saint Tukarams teachings to them. Dinner Prasadam would normally be with the locals and they would also get the benefit of partaking Krsna Prasadam. The dindi has just arrived in Sri Dham Pandharpur and the amazing thing is that they still seem to have oodles of energy left in them. They have now set up their dindi cart in Sri Sri Radha Pandarinath (ISKCON Pandharpur) temple, and continue their book distribution and Hari Naam Sankirtans with the same enthusiasm as on the very first day of the dindi! Please watch this space for further updates!