Palkhis and the Cult of Vithoba

A tradition of pilgrimage centered around the Cult of Vithoba has become popular among the Marathas. These processions are known as palkhis, occurring simultaneously across many Marathi settlements in India and culminating at the temple of Vithoba in Pandharpur. Palkhis form part of the Marathi egalitarian tradition; all Marathas regardless of caste walk side by side, taking with them the simple sandals of a venerated Poet-Saint.\n\nSome among the Brahmins see these non-hierarchical spiritual movements as a threat to their religious authority. They seek to gain a measure of control over the palkhis so that they can be integrated into orthodox Hindu worship in accordance with their interpretation of Vedic ritual.