Lord Vitthalnathji’s procession carried out from Mandavi following pandemic protocol 

With chants of “Vitthal, Vitthal, Vitthala..”, the historical Lord Vitthalnathji procession was carried out from the temple at Mandvi on the occasion of Dev Bodhi (Shayani) Ekadashi (agiyaras) in Vadodara. The 212th Lord Vitthalnathji carcade started from the old city area with limited people, adhering to the pandemic protocols. 

As a part of more than 200-year-old tradition, the carcade or ‘Vitthalnathji ni Palki‘ or ‘Vitthalnathji Varghodo‘, as known in the local terms, is taken out from Vitthalnathji Temple every year on the occasion of Dev Bodhi (Shayani) Ekadashi (agiyaras). This year, the procession was taken out in a tempo with only 15 people due to Covid guidelines. 

Before beginning the procession, the Royal Gaekwad Family members along with, Mayor Keyur Rokadia, worshipped the Lord and offered prayers at the historical Vitthalnathji temple situated in the Mandvi area of the city. With chants of ‘Vitthal, Vitthal, Vitthala…’, the procession started with shehnai tunes with palanquin placed inside the tempo, with only fifteen individuals. Manjalpur MLA Yogesh Patel also took part in the celebration. 

As per tradition, the procession stops at the Gehenabai Mahadev, where prayers and rituals are performed, symbolizing a visit by Vitthalnathji to Lord Shiva. Later in the evening, the procession returned to the temple. Following the celebration, people will now take up auspicious tasks such as wedding ceremonies at the end of chaturmas. 

Written by:
Shristi Chatterjee