Overview

The Dabbawalas of Mumbai, who ferry Hot & Fresh home cooked lunches to large working population of Mumbai, belonging to Warkari community of Maharashtra. Every year since ancient times many warkaries come walking for days and months for hundreds of Kms from various parts of Maharashtra and neighboring states to Pandharpur to have darshan of Lord Vitthal and Rukmini. During the journey, thousands of pilgrims fall sick. Also, upon arrival, they have to stand in the queue for 1-2 days in sick and hungry condition just to have a moment of darshan of Lord Vithal and Rukhumai.

Bhaktivedanta Hospital & Research Institute, a project of Shri Chaitanya Health and Care Trust, every year since the year 2007, has been conducting a mega medical camp at Pandharpur during Ashadi Ekadashi. The IIFL Foundation has been supporting the medical camp to provide quality medical services to the pilgrims free of cost. During the camp, pilgrims are provided free medical Care & food. 

Highlight

The project has been well received by one and all. The warkaries eagerly look forward to this medical camp every year. More than 300 volunteers including doctors, para medical staff from Bhaktivedanta Hospital take part in this selfless service. Over the years, the collaboration has been able to serve more than 837874 warkaries. 

Treatment availed by patients during camp

1570

Project location

Pandharpur

State

Maharashtra

Project start year

2008

Project end year

On going

Process

Every year, over 12 lakh Warkaries (pilgrims) from Maharashtra and its neighboring states gather in Pandharpur during Ashad (July) for pilgrimage. These pilgrims are mainly farmers who travel barefoot for hundreds of kilometers enduring physical discomfort for days and even months. Injuries and ailments are a part of their journey to reach the destination. IIFL Foundation supports the pilgrims by offering free of cost medical treatment and care along with necessities like food and drinking water.

Testimonials

  • “The medical camp was very useful as we needed medical help urgently”. -Bhikaji Thombre.
  • “The 24 hours food service provided by the organizers was a blessing to the pilgrims.” –Sesabai Dhumal.
  • "The satisfaction of serving a person in need is the greatest joy of medical profession. We thank IIFL Foundation for being our partner in this cause".- Dr. Venkat, Bhaktivedanta hospital.

Gallery

Disclaimer: Data period April 2023 to March 2024