In order to make the journey of Warkari's (devotees) pleasant, who go to Pandharpur every year on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi for palkhi ceremony, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will provide free bus service.<br />''  <br />'' As per a tradition which goes back centuries, Padukas (holy footprints) of Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar, two revered Marathi saint-poets, are taken to Pandharpur from their temples at Dehu and Alandi, in Pune district in processions on foot by Warkaris on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi.<br />''  <br />'' However, due to Coronavirus pandemic, this year the state government has allowed only ten prestigious palkhis along with 100 Warkaris to go to Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi, by state transport buses instead of going on foot.<br />''  <br />'' The 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' falls on 20th July this year.<br />''  <br />'' AIR correspondent reports, Maharashtra Minister of Transport and President of ST Corporation Anil Parab said these buses also known as 'Lal Pari', will leave for Pandharpur on 19th July with the palkhis.<br />''  <br />'' He said for this, free ST buses will be made available to the concerned institutions as per their demand and instructions have been given to the local ST administration to coordinate with the trustees of these institutions for the same.<br />''  <br />'' These palkhis will travel from their original place to Wakhri, a village 5 kilometres away from temple town Pandharpur, by ST bus.<br />''  <br />'' After that the warkaris or devotees along with these palkhis will travel on foot from Wakhri to Pandharpur. Parab said all buses will be sanitised keeping in mind the safety of Warkaris.<br />''  <br />'' He added that sanitizers and masks will also be provided by the ST corporation to the Warkaris during the journey.<br />''  <br />