RELIGION

Vanjaris come under Hindu religion and worship all Brahminic gods, of the regular Hindu fasts they keep only Gokulashtami in August. Their priest is a village Joshi, who conducts their marriages. They make pilgrimage to Jejuri in Pune Pandharpur in Solapur District and Tuljapur in Nizams. Their religious and social customs are similar to the Maratha kundies in Maharashtra. The Vanjaris are very religious and Pandurang of Pandharpur is a major god for this group. Bhagwangad is the major place of pilgrimage for Vanjaris. Shri saint Bhagwan baba was the prominent saint of the Vanjari community. He was followed by Bhimsinh baba. Currently Namdeo sanap shastri hold the gaddi of Bhagwan baba. Every year around 10 lakh Vanjari gather at bhagwan gad on Dussehara. Shri saint vaman bhau also the prominent saint of Vanjari community and guru of saint bhagwan baba. Pandurang Dada Sanap Tagadgaonkar have tells about the magic and work of sant bhagwan baba and sant vamanbhau. Goddess Renuka mata (Mahurgarh) and Khandoba Maharaj (Jejuri) are regarded as the kuldevi and kuldaivat of the vanjari samaj. One more very important pilgrimage site for the Vanjaris is the shrine of holy Avajinath Maharaj at Lavhare in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Avajinath Maharaj was a disciple of Shri Kanifnath Maharaj, from the holy Navnaaths. On the occasion of Dashera, every year lakhs of the Vanjari samaj gather at Lavhare which marks the Utsav. One event which takes place during Dashera is the "fire walking", or Nikhare walking, in which participants walk barefoot across burning charcoal. This is an expression of gratitude for having had one's prayers answered; true devotees are not burnt. Avjinath Maharaj takes care of all.