India, July 7 -- Two days before the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi departs for the annual Ashadhi Wari on July 8, the Pune district administration on Monday urged devotees and warkaris not to travel to Alandi after the swollen Indrayani River inundated all four bridges leading to the pilgrimage town.

Heavy rainfall over the past few days caused the Indrayani to overflow, submerging the four bridges that provide access to Alandi and making entry unsafe, officials said. The river originates near Lonavla, which received 670 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending Monday morning.

In an advisory, the administration asked warkaris, devotees and citizens to avoid travelling to Alandi until further instructions.

"Those who have already started...