AI to Manage Crowd During Pandharpur’s Wari Yatra: Technology Trial Successfully Conducted

Pandharpur hosts four major annual yatras—Ashadhi, Kartiki, Maghi, and Chaitri—attracting lakhs of Warkaris and devotees from across the state. The city often witnesses dense crowds in key areas such as the Chandrabhaga riverbed, Bhakti Sagar (65-acre area), temple premises, darshan queues, Pradakshina Marg, and along major roads.

To enhance safety and ensure smoother crowd movement, AI-based surveillance and analytics will now be integrated into the city's yatra management system.

How AI Will Help Manage the Wari

The initiative is being implemented under the guidance of District Collector Kumar Ashirwad and District Superintendent of Police Atul Kulkarni. The AI technology will aid authorities in monitoring real-time crowd density, identifying movement patterns, and managing crowd flow more efficiently.

Speaking on the development, Pandharpur District Disaster Management Officer Shakti Sagar Dhole explained:

“Through this technology, we can measure the size and density of the crowd. Using facial recognition features, we can also track missing persons or individuals in distress and analyze their movement. This will significantly improve our ability to manage crowds during the yatra.”

The system will assist officials in deploying manpower more effectively, reducing the risk of stampedes or other untoward incidents, and ensuring a safe darshan experience for all devotees.

Preparing for a Safer and Smarter Pilgrimage

Traditionally, district authorities begin preparations a month in advance for each yatra. With the integration of AI, Pandharpur’s yatra management is stepping into a new era of smart crowd control, ensuring both spiritual and physical safety for the lakhs of devotees who visit each year.

This innovative use of technology highlights the state administration’s commitment to modernizing pilgrimage infrastructure, and could serve as a model for other pilgrimage sites across India.