When 17th century saint-poet Tukaram was once unable to take on the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur, he wrote a letter of regret to his favourite deity Vithoba. As the myth goes, Lord Vitthal, touched by the honesty, blessed him with a darshan. Hundreds of Pratipandharpur temples replicas dotting Maharashtra-s length and breadth, further speak of the Lord-s accommodating nature. He is not insistent on worship tailored to rigid geographical-physical parameters. In fact, 13th century saint Savata Mali, a cultivator by caste who lived in Aranbhend village, mere 12 km from Pandharpur, never joined a Wari because of his daily chores. Ultimately, the Lord appeared in his farm and helped him till the land. No wonder, the saint-s world famous line locates Lord Vitthal in "Kanda Mula Bhaji."

Maharashtra-s saint poetry is suffused with references that endorse Bhakti sans religious protocol or public display. In the post-lockdown emergent context, when people-s congregations are to be avoided, could there be a more apt philosophy? Saint Tukaram-s call for an immersive prayer: "Thaeech baisoni kara ekchitta attain concentration by sitting at one place" transports the devotees automatically to their desired deity. Such a prayer applies not just to the Pandharpur pilgrimage, but to the slew of festivals in the remainder of 2020—Janmashtami, Ganpati, Navratri, Dussehra, Sai Baba Palkhi and Diwali. At a time when Maharashtra-s administration has appealed to people to practise social distancing during the upcoming festive season, the re-reading of saints can help in arriving at the right social posture.