In news

• PM lays foundation stone of four laning of key sections of Shri Sant Dnyaneshawar Maharaj Palkhi Marg and Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg 
• PM also dedicates to the nation multiple road projects for boosting connectivity to Pandharpur

About the project

• Dedicated walkways for ‘Palkhi’ will be constructed on either side of these National Highways, providing hassle-free or safe passage to devotees.
• In an effort to facilitate the movement of devotees to Pandharpur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for four-laning of five sections of Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965) and three sections of Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965 G).

Background

• This Yatra is one of the world’s oldest mass yatras and is seen as a people’s movement, It is a symbol of India's eternal knowledge that does not bind our faith, but liberates” “The court of Bhagavan Vitthal is equally open to everyone.
• The same sentiment is behind Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas-Sabka Vishwas” “From time to time, in different regions, such great personalities kept emerging and showing the direction to the country” “‘Pandhari ki Wari’ symbolizes equality of opportunity. 

Sant Dnyaneshwar

• Sant Dnyaneshwar was a Marathi saint, poet, philosopher, and yogi of the Nath Vaishnava school who lived in the 13th century.
• Dnyaneshwar’s thoughts are based on the non-dualistic Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
• His work called Dnyaneshwari is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita that served as the core of Maharashtra’s Bhakti philosophy.
• Sant Dnyaneshwar wrote Dnyaneshwari on the orders of his Guru Shri Nivruttinath.
• He also wrote, “Amritanubhava” (immortal experience), based on Upanishad philosophy, and
  “Haripath,” a hymn praising Hari (Vishnu).

Sant Tukaram

• Sant Tukaram is a 17th-century poet-saint who was a contemporary of Shivaji Maharaj, Eknath and Ramdas.
• His poetry was dedicated to Vithoba or Vitthala, an incarnation of Vishnu, the Hindu God.
• He is well-known in Marathi for his Abangas (dohas).
• Abangas are a rich tradition of devotional poetry.
• Sant Tukaram emphasised community-based worship via spiritual melodies known as Kirtans.
• They were also crucial for laying the groundwork for
• He promoted the virtues of piety, forgiveness, and inner tranquilly