Mumbai-to-Pandharpur tandem cycle Wari begins with visually impaired and sighted cyclists

Cheer and blessings abound as an auspicious coconut is broken, signalling the start of the event. Pics/Hemal Ashar

Five pairs of sighted and visually impaired cyclists, that is, 10 in all, set off for the Mumbai-to-Pandharpur Tandem Cycle Wari on Thursday morning. Organised by the Tandem Cyclist Club, the start point of the devotional-spiritual pilgrimage was Shivaji Park's Samarth Vyayam Mandir. The Tandem Cycle Wari will end on July 12.

Manoj Kataria (left in pic) with a poster and tandem cycle at Shivaji Park in Dadar on Thursday morning

Tandem cycles have two seats. The front is taken by the sighted person or pilot, while the back seat is occupied by the visually impaired/blind person. Both have to pedal, so there are two sets of pedals on the bicycle. The distance to be covered was 450 km. Excitement met enthusiasm and guts mixed with gusto at Shivaji Park as cyclists revved up. Their support vehicle was standing by to accompany them to Pandharpur.

Cyclists are ready to go from Shivaji Park in Dadar West. PICS/HEMAL ASHAR

Manoj Kataria, a partially sighted cyclist, coach and organiser of the Tandem Cyclist Club initiative, said, even as walkers cheered the courageous, "This is to inspire other visually impaired persons to rise above adversity and show it is possible to achieve. We will also spread awareness about tandem cycling with this effort."

Supporters check in as the countdown to the pilgrimage begins on Thursday morning

Visually impaired cyclists claimed that complete faith and speed synchronisation with their cyclist pilots are vital. The Shivaji Park community raised inspiring slogans as an auspicious coconut was broken, and our visibly impaired warriors and stellar supporters were on their way.

Wari wise

Last-minute preparations for a journey of courage

Pandharpur Wari, or Vari, is an annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur, Maharashtra, to honour Vithoba. It involves carrying the paduka of a saint in a palkhi, most notably of Dnyaneshwar (leaves from Alandi) and Tukaram (from Dehu) to Pandharpur. Many pilgrims join this procession on foot. Warkari is a Marathi term which means ‘one who performs the Vari'. The tradition is more than 800 years old. Marches happen on foot from various locations in Maharashtra to the Vithoba Temple. This yatra takes 21 days. Along the way, many other palkhis join the two most revered palkhis. The Wari culminates at the Vithoba Temple on Shayani Ekadashi (Ashadi Ekadashi).

Tandem bicycles

A tandem bicycle is to be ridden by more than one person at a time. Tandem refers to the seating arrangement (fore to aft, not side by side), not the number of riders. In tandem, the riders are in one line in front and behind. On conventional tandems, the front rider steers as well as pedals the bicycle and is known as the captain, pilot, or steersman; the rear rider pedals and is known as the stoker, navigator or rear admiral.

The message

Tandem Cycle Wari participants will spread awareness about inclusion, equality, self-confidence amongst visually impaired, environmental issues and tree plantation, encouraging people to build a more inclusive and sustainable society.

An appeal

The 10-year-old Tandem Club still lacks a permanent space to store its tandem bicycles. The Tandem Cyclist Club appeals to individuals, organisations, corporate bodies, and government agencies to support a unique movement through financial assistance, infrastructure and public outreach.

If you wish to support Manoj Kataria, kindly dial: 7303788616

Event schedule

July 9 (Thursday)
Ride began at 6.45 am from Shri Samarth Vyayam Mandir, Shivaji Park, Dadar. Destination: Nashik

July 10
With the support of the Nashik Cyclists Foundation, the team will continue the journey towards Ahilyanagar, where they will halt for the night

July 11
Cyclists will ride from Ahilyanagar to Pandharpur, accompanied by thousands of sighted cyclists participating in the Wari

July 12
The team will participate in the Pandharpur Cycle Pradakshina, Cycle Ringan Ceremony, and All India Cycle Friends Convention

[popcorn number="July 12" desc="Day Tandem Cycle Wari is scheduled to end" class="Default"]