3 women Warkaris killed as truck rams Ashadhi Ekadashi procession near Jejuri, Pune
Synopsis
Three women Warkaris from Sangli district are dead and nearly 18 others injured after a truck driver — reportedly drowsy from fever medication — lost control and rammed the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi procession near Jejuri on 13 July. The tragedy strikes at the heart of Maharashtra's most sacred pilgrimage, raising urgent questions about vehicle fitness and driver checks along the Palkhi route.
Key Takeaways
Three women Warkaris — Rajashree Shankar Bhosale , Madhavi Rajaram Sarwade , and Nanda Pawar — were killed on 13 July near Jejuri, Pune .
All three victims were from Sangli district ; the truck was registered in Nanded .
Between 16 and 18 others were injured; the condition of three is stated to be critical.
The truck driver, a 70-year-old man , reportedly lost control after taking fever medication that induced drowsiness, according to MLA Vijay Shivtare .
Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar visited the injured and directed the District Collector, SP, and CEO of the District Council to ensure full medical care.
Police and the district administration have launched an investigation and are reviewing traffic management measures along the pilgrimage route.
Three women pilgrims were killed and 16 to 18 others injured on Monday, 13 July when a truck lost control and ploughed into the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi procession near Jejuri in Pune district, Maharashtra. The accident, which occurred at Bhongale Mala on the Saswad-Jejuri route, struck during the Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage — one of Maharashtra's largest annual religious gatherings — as the procession moved towards Pandharpur.
How the Accident Unfolded
According to police sources, dedicated traffic management had been put in place on one side of the highway to accommodate the pilgrimage. However, a truck carrying provisions and rations for the dindi — a pilgrimage sub-group — reportedly lost control and first struck a tempo carrying devotees before hitting several Warkaris walking ahead. Three women devotees died at the scene, while the condition of three of the injured is stated to be critical. The remaining injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The truck involved was registered in Nanded. Purandar MLA Vijay Shivtare, speaking to the media, said the driver — a 70-year-old man — had consumed medication for fever before taking the wheel, which reportedly induced drowsiness and caused him to lose control of the vehicle.
The Victims
The three deceased women have been identified as Rajashree Shankar Bhosale, Madhavi Rajaram Sarwade, and Nanda Pawar. All three hailed from Sangli district. Their deaths have cast a shadow over the ongoing pilgrimage, which draws hundreds of thousands of devotees each year from across Maharashtra.
What the Government Said
Deputy Chief Minister and Pune District Guardian Minister Sunetra Pawar visited the injured at the hospital and described the incident as 'extremely heartbreaking and deeply disturbing.' She said instructions had been issued to the District Collector, the District Superintendent of Police, and the Chief Executive Officer of the District Council to ensure no shortfall in treatment for the injured. 'The government stands firmly by their side. The safety of the Warkaris setting out on the path to Pandharpur is our collective responsibility,' she stated.
MLA Rohit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — Sharadchandra Pawar faction also expressed condolences, calling the incident 'extremely painful' and urging the administration to conduct a thorough investigation and implement immediate preventive measures. 'The administration must conduct a thorough investigation into how this accident occurred, take immediate measures to prevent such incidents, and ensure the complete safety of all Warkaris,' he said.
Investigation and Safety Measures
Local police and the district administration are investigating the sequence of events. Steps are being taken to strengthen traffic management along the heavily-trafficked pilgrimage route to prevent further mishaps. This incident underscores the recurring challenge of ensuring road safety during large-scale religious processions in Maharashtra, where the Palkhi route passes through multiple districts over several days. The administration faces renewed pressure to enforce stricter vehicle checks and driver fitness protocols along the route ahead of the procession reaching Pandharpur.
Point of View
With hundreds of thousands of pedestrian devotees sharing carriageways with heavy vehicles. That a 70-year-old driver reportedly took drowsiness-inducing medication and was still permitted to operate a supply truck within the procession corridor points to a systemic absence of driver fitness checks. Political condolences are abundant; enforceable safety protocols are not. Until the administration mandates pre-journey fitness screening for all vehicles servicing the dindi and installs dedicated enforcement on the route, grief will remain the only official response.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage near Jejuri on 13 July?
A truck lost control and rammed into the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi procession at Bhongale Mala near Jejuri in Pune district, killing three women Warkaris on the spot and injuring 16 to 18 others. The procession was en route to Pandharpur as part of the annual Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage.
Who are the women killed in the Jejuri Palkhi accident?
The three deceased have been identified as Rajashree Shankar Bhosale, Madhavi Rajaram Sarwade, and Nanda Pawar — all from Sangli district in Maharashtra. They were walking as part of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi procession when the truck struck them.
Why did the truck driver lose control?
According to Purandar MLA Vijay Shivtare, the truck driver — a 70-year-old man — had taken medication for fever before driving, which reportedly caused drowsiness and led him to lose control of the vehicle. Police are investigating the exact sequence of events.
What action has the government taken after the accident?
Deputy Chief Minister and Pune District Guardian Minister Sunetra Pawar visited the injured at hospital and directed the District Collector, District Superintendent of Police, and CEO of the District Council to ensure no shortfall in medical treatment. Police and the administration are also reviewing traffic management protocols along the pilgrimage route.
What is the Ashadhi Ekadashi Palkhi procession?
The Ashadhi Ekadashi Palkhi procession is one of Maharashtra's largest annual religious pilgrimages, in which hundreds of thousands of Warkari devotees walk to the temple town of Pandharpur to mark Ashadhi Ekadashi. The Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi is one of the principal processions, originating from Alandi near Pune.
