The Varkari tradition is a part of the bhakti spiritual tradition of Hinduism, particularly in the Indian states of Maharashtra And Northern Karnataka. Varkari in Marathi means travellers. The Varkari sampraday (religious movement) is so called because the followers travel hundreds of miles to the holy town of Pandharpur on foot, every year on the Ekadashi (11th day by lunar calendar) in the Hindu calendar month of Ashadh (which falls sometime in July). A pilgrimage is also made on Kartik Ekadashi (which falls sometime in November). This pilgrimage is called vari in the Marathi language and thus one who performs it in the path of devotion (Bhakti Marga) is a varkari. Bhakti - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Hinduism (known as in some modern Indian languages[1]) is a religion that originated on the Indian subcontinent. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... Marathi is one of the widely spoken languages of India, and has a long literary history. ... Pandharpur is a town in state of Maharashtra in Western India. ... Hindu Sindhis observe Ekadashi or Gyaaras by fasting on that day Ekadashi means Ek +Dus=11 Gyaaras comes from the word gyaarah which means 11 It refers to the 11th day of a fortnight belonging to a lunar month--the bright and the dark. ... Kaartika ( Hindi: कातिक kaatik or कार्तिक kaartik) is a month of the Hindu calendar. ... Marathi is one of the widely spoken languages of India, and has a long literary history. ... Bhakti - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

Varkaris worship Vitthal or Vithoba, the presiding deity of Pandharpur who is considered same as Shri Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu. Varkaris can be categorized as vaishnavites. Saints from Maharashtra like Dnyaneshwar, Namdeo, Tukaram, Chokha mela, Eknath and many others spearheaded and strengthened the tradition with their teachings. The varkaris perform the pilgrimage to Pandharpur by walking with the palkis of the saints from their places of origin all the way to Pandharpur. According to historians, Vitthal devotees have been performing "Vari" even before Saint Dnyaneshwar (13th century). However, the current tradition of carrying the "Paduka" (sandals) of the saints in a palkhi from their "hometown" (place of Samadhi) to Pandharpur was started by the youngest son of Sant Tukaram called Narayan Maharaj in 1685 with further changes by Haibatraobuwa in the 1820s. Today about 40 palkhis of saints from all over Maharashtra come to Pandharpur with their devotees. [1], [2], page 21 Vitthal is the same as Vithoba ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Pandharpur is a town in state of Maharashtra in Western India. ... Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari, IAST ) is according to common Hindu tradition the eighth avatar of Vishnu. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being or Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavas and a manifestation of Brahman in the Advaita or Smarta traditions. ... Vaishnavites are followers of Vaishnavism in which Vishnu or His avatars are worshipped as the supreme God. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Sant Dnyaneshwar (1275-1296) (ज्ञानेश्वर in Marathi) (also known as Jnanadeva - ज्ञानदेव or Jnaneshvar - ज्ञानेश्वर) was a 13th century rebel saint-poet born in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state, west India. ... Namdev, (Occasionally: Nam Dev or Saint Namdev) (c. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Sant Eknath (1533 - 1599) was one of the remarkable saints of Maharashtra, India. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The Varkari tradition has made all-pervading impact on the life of the common people of Maharashtra for six hundred years (from 13th century to 18th century). The Varkari has looked upon God as the Ultimate Truth and has ascertained grades of values in social life The sect has accepted ultimate equality among men. It lays stress on values such as individual sacrifice, forgiveness, simplicity, overcoming passions, peaceful co-existence, compassion, non-violence, love, humility in social life. The last point is illustrated by varkaris prostrating in front of each other because everybody is "Brahma" All these values were the cornerstone of the philosophy of all Marathi saints. The Varkari sect tried to mould the attitude of the common people which included low castes and women towards life. A person must have a kind of detachment while living his life and he must have the courage of his convictions in the face of evil forces that deform life and dreadful death. The writings of Sant Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram & others helped common man to inculcate these qualities in him. Marathi is one of the widely spoken languages of India, and has a long literary history. ...

The Saints Of the Varkari tradition made realising "Almighty" in very simple words. Each Of them wrote separate small booklets of verse in plain words.All called it the HARIPATH. Each saint in his own rustic but sweet style has tried to express the result of fusing the chanting Lord's name; as in Lord Vishnu and mentally feeling oneness with HIM. Such a state of mind surpasses all desires and negative thoughts. It resulted in people coming together unitedly

Reference

• Jnaneshvara In The Indian Context by Chandrakant B. Bandiwadekar