Ashadhi Wari 2026: Information on Route Closures, Diversions, and Alternate Roads in Pune
Pune is all set to welcome its most revered annual event. On Thursday, July 9, the twin Palkhis of Sant Shri Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Shri Tukaram Maharaj will enter Pune city together. As lakhs of Warkaris arrive in the city streets for their two-day stay, the Pune City Traffic Police have announced multiple traffic changes to ensure smooth transit of the Palkhis through the city.
To ensure the safety of the devotees and keep the city moving, many closures, inner-city restrictions, and a blanket ban on heavy vehicles will be enforced from July 8 through July 11.
If you are planning to commute across Pune over the next few days, here is your detailed field guide to traveling across the city, avoiding the gridlock, and using the right alternate routes.
Main Schedule – Ashadhi Wari 2026
The processions enter the city limits on Thursday, July 9, and will halt for two days. The Palkhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj will take up residence at the Palkhi Vithoba Mandir in Bhavani Peth, while Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s Palkhi will rest at the Nivdungya Vithoba Mandir in Nana Peth. On the early morning of Saturday, July 11, both processions will begin their journey toward Pandharpur.
Total Ban on Heavy Vehicles (July 8 to July 11)
To prevent severe bottlenecking, a strict, round-the-clock entry ban for heavy vehicles, dumpers, concrete mixers, and large commercial trucks will be enforced across all major city entry points.
- Duration: From midnight on Wednesday, July 8 (00:00 AM) to midnight on Sunday, July 11 (24:00 PM).
- Major Banned Entry Checkpoints: Bopodi Chowk (Harris Bridge), Rajiv Gandhi Bridge (Aundh), Bremen Chowk, Bopkhel Fata, Kharadi Bypass, Kalas Jakat Naka, Kesnand Phata (Wagholi), Loni Kalbhor (Theur Phata), Radha Chowk (Baner), Sutarwadi (Pashan), Chandani Chowk, Vadgaon Bridge, Navale Bridge, Katraj Chowk, Khadi Machine Chowk (Kondhwa), and Mantarwadi Phata.
Palkhi Arrival: Road Closures on Thursday, July 9
As the Palkhis proceed toward the central areas, roads along the procession path will close successively from 3:00 AM till 8:00 PM. Commuters must avoid the following entry corridors and use the recommended detours:
- Bopkhel Phata to Vishrantwadi Chowk: Completely closed. Alternate Route: Use Dhanori Road and internal village roads.
- Mental Hospital Corner to Alandi Road Junction: Closed. Alternate Route: Route via Jail Road – Vimantal (Airport) Road.
- Sadhu Vaswani Bridge/Sadalbaba Darga to Patil Estate Road: Closed. Alternate Route: Parnakuti Chowk – Mangaldas Chowk – RTO Chowk.
- Chandrama Chowk to Alandi Road: Closed. Alternate Route: Divert towards Tarkeshwar Chowk.
- Holkar Bridge to Chandrama Chowk / Sapras Chowk: Closed. Alternate Route: Use the Sangamwadi or Parnakuti Chowk corridors.
For traffic entering from Pimpri-Chinchwad side (Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Path):
- Bopodi Chowk to Church Chowk: Closed. Alternate Route: Bhau Patil Road – Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk – Bremen Chowk – Aundh.
- Poultry Farm Chowk to Aundh/Balewadi Road: Closed. Alternate Route: Divert via the Railway Police Headquarters road onto Aundh Road.
Restrictions in the Central City (July 9 to July 11)
While the deities rest at their respective shrines in Nana Peth and Bhavani Peth, the central city areas under the Samarth Traffic Division will undergo a major traffic halt from July 9 (00:01 AM) to July 11 (24:00 PM).
- Strict No-Entry Zones: No vehicles will be allowed to pass toward Aruna Chowk and the Palkhi storage temples from feeder junctions including Inamdar Chowk, Samadhan Chowk, Nana Chavadi, Chacha Halwai Chowk, Sant Kabir Chowk, Ramoshi Gate, and AD Camp Chowk.
- Blanket Parking Ban: Parking is absolutely forbidden within 100 meters of any Palkhi route or intersecting side lane. Vehicles found violating this will be towed immediately. Designated holding areas for outstation vehicles have been set up at the periphery in areas like Katraj, Alandi Road, and Hadapsar.
Palkhi Departure: Saturday Morning Closures (July 11)
The exit path for the processions will require another round of sharp diversions starting at 2:00 AM on Saturday morning until the crowds clear out:
- Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Departure Path: Moves via Palkhi Vithoba Mandir – Ramoshi Gate Chowk – Bhavani Mata Mandir – Mukti Fauj Chowk – Pulgate – Mamadevi Chowk – Solapur Road – Hadapsar Gadital – Dive Ghat – Saswad.
- Sant Tukaram Maharaj Departure Path: Moves via Nivdungya Vithoba Mandir – Aruna Chowk – Samadhan Chowk – AD Camp Chowk – Ramoshi Gate – Solapur Road – Hadapsar Gadital – Loni Kalbhor.
Saturday Morning Detour Matrix:
- Sant Kabir Chowk to Belbag Chowk: Closed. Alternate Route: Sant Kabir Chowk – Rasta Peth Power House – Jijamata Chowk.
- Sant Kabir Chowk to Ramoshi Gate Chowk: Closed. Alternate Route: Power House – Phadke Haud – Devjibaba Chowk.
- Seven Loves Chowk to Ramoshi Gate Chowk: Closed. Alternate Route: Seven Loves Chowk – Jedhe Chowk (Swargate).
Ground Management and Logistics
The scale of this operation is massive. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Dr. Sandeep Bhajibhakare, said that the deployment includes 1 Additional Police Commissioner, 9 DCPs, 5 ACPs, 94 Police Inspectors, and 1,120 on-ground personnel. They are being backed up by a large force of 1,528 civilian volunteers who registered through digital platforms to manage the 33 outer and 132 inner city diversion points.
Additionally, to combat any sudden monsoon challenges, the Traffic Branch alongside the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has already executed mock drills to swiftly clear waterlogging, fallen branches, or damaged wires, keeping heavy-duty water removal pumps on standby along the routes.
Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, fire engines, and essential supply trucks, are entirely exempt from these restrictions and will be given priority access throughout the festival. For real-time updates or to report traffic emergencies, citizens can call the Traffic Control Room at 020-26208225 or 020-26684000.
Traffic arrangements and dynamic road closures are subject to real-time adjustments by the police authorities based on the movement of the procession; commuters are advised to verify latest situational updates via official traffic police channels before traveling.
