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Vitthal Temple, Pandharpur
Locality/village : Pandharpur
State : Maharashtra
Country : India
Nearest City/Town : Pandharpur
Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Marati, Hindi & English
Temple Timings : 4.00 AM and 7.00 PM.
Photography : Not Allowed
Pandharpur Vitthal Temple
Vitthal temple, Pandharpur is the main centre of worship for the Hindu deity Vitthal, believed to be a local form of god Krishna or Vishnu and his consort Rakhumai or Rukmini. It is the most visited temple in Maharastra. The Warkaris start marching from their homes to the temple of Pandharpur in groups called Dindi to reach on Aashadhi Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi. A dip in the holy river Chandrabhaga on whose banks Pandharpur resides, is believed to have power to wash all sins. All the devotees are allowed to touch the feet of the idol of Vithoba. In May 2014, the temple became first in India to invite women and people from backward classes as priests.
The saga of Pundalik is one of the most important Mahima legends about Vithoba. How Vithoba came to Pandharpur is a story in which Pundalik is vital. Pundalik is a devoted son to his parents Janudev and Satyavati, who lived in a forest called Dandirvan. But after his wedding, Pundalik begins ill-treating his parents. Tired with their son’s misbehavior and ill treatment, the elderly couple decided to leave for Kashi. Legend holds that people who die in the city of Kashi attain salvation and emancipation from the cycle of birth and death; so, many pious Hindus in the bygone era would relocate to Kashi as their end drew near.
However, the elderly couple was not destined to escape their suffering so easily. Upon hearing his parents’ plans, Pundalik and his wife decide to join them on pilgrimage. The ill treatment continues. While the youthful son and his wife ride on horseback, the frail old couple walk in bad weather. Pundalik even makes his old parents work to make his own journey comfortable. Every evening, when the party camps for the night, the son forces his parents to groom the horses and do other jobs.
On the way to Kashi, the group reaches the ashram (hermitage) of a pious and venerable sage, Kukkutswami. Exhausted, the family decides to spend a few days there. That night, when all were asleep, Pundalik by chance is awake and sees a remarkable vision. Just before dawn, a group of beautiful young women, dressed in soiled clothes, enter the ashram; they clean the floor, fetch water and wash the venerable sage’s clothes. After finishing their chores, they go to the prayer-room. When they reappear after prayer, their clothes are spotlessly clean. Then, they vanish as inexplicably as they had appeared.
Pundalik is not moved to raise an alarm, but feels a deep sense of peace witnessing the scene. It remains on his mind the whole day and he resolves to remain awake the next night, and confirm it was not merely a dream. This time, however, Pundalik is very curious. He approaches the beautiful women and asks details.
They reply, they are the Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and other holy rivers of India—revered for their holiness. Pilgrims wish to take a dip in their holy waters to wash away their sins, which in fact are soiling their clothes.
Then, the women say: “But O Pundalik, you, with your ill-treatment of your parents, are the greatest sinner of them all!”
Pundalik is utterly shocked and his consciousness transforms. He realizes his misdeeds, becomes entirely devoted to his parents and ensures their comfort, even risking his own. Devotion in any form reaches God swiftly. Impressed by Pundalik’s devotion to his parents, Lord Vishnu plans to bless Pundalik immediately. So, He leaves Vaikuntha (His abode) for Pundalik’s ashram.
Vishnu knocks at Pundalik’s door, when he is busy serving his parents food. Pundalik does realize God is at his door. But such was his devotion to his parents, he wants to complete his duties and only then attend the visitor. Then, Pundalik does something strange but out of real devotion. He throws a brick outside for God to stand on and wait for him until he finishes attending to his parents.
Seeing this act, Vishnu is extremely impressed and the ever-loving God waits for his devotee. When Pundalik comes out, he begs for pardon but far from being displeased, Vishnu is taken over by Pundalik’s love for his parents and grants a boon. Pundalik requests Vishnu to stay back on Earth and bless all his true devotees. He agrees to take the form of Vithoba, or God who stood upon a brick, and a temple comes up there. Along with Vithoba, Rakhumai (Mother Rukmini, the consort of Krishna, one of avatars of Vishnu) is also worshipped here.
Main entrance of Lord Vittala’s Temple is facing towards the Chandrabhaga or Bhima river. Samadhi of Namadev and Chockamela is at the entrance. Pilgrims will first pray to the Devotees and then enter the temple. Small Ganesh Shrine is present inside the temple as first Shrine. Then, a small hall where bhajans are performed. Small Shrine for Garuda and Hanuman facing Lord is in the same hall. Then, after climbing few steps, we can see the beautiful face of Lord Vittala. We can have this Mukha Darshan any time without standing in Queue.
For, Padha Darshan (To touch the Lotus Feet of Lord), there is an entrance which leads to Queue Complex outside the temple. It will lead to many small shrines of Bhaktas, then towards the Lord Panduranga. We can touch the feet of Lord. We feel best when we touch the Lord’s Lotus feet. There are Shrines for Rukmini Devi, Sathyabhama Devi, Radhika Devi, Lord Narasimha, Lord Venkateshwara, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Nagaraj, Ganesha, Annapoorani Devi. There is another mandap where all devotees play like Krishna had played with Gopikas. It will be great experience.
Mahadwar is main locality in the city and a market place. Mahadwar leads to main ghāt of Pandharpur that is “Mahadwar ghat”.There is temple of Bhakta Pundalika on the ghāt.
It is said that Shri Krishna came to Pandharpur to meet his disciple Bhakta Pundalīka who was busy serving his parents that time .He offered brick called viṭ in maraṭhi to Sri Krishna and requested him to wait standing on the brick for sometime till he attends his parents. The same Sri Krishna is standing on the brick for last 28 yuga and thus is also knows as Vitthala. So in ārati of vitthal it is mentioned “yuge atṭhāvis (28), viṭhevari ubhā”.
Pandharpur is close to many larger towns including Kurduvadi, Solapur, Latur, and Pune. It has its own railway station. Other close by stations include Kurduvadi, Modnimb, Sangola, and Mohol railway stations
By Road: The temple is present in Pandharpur. We can reach it easily by hiring bus or taxi from anywhere in the Maharashtra or from neighboring state. Maharashtra is connected with most of the Indian cities by road. The Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSTC) runs regulars bus service to the Temple. Nashik is 185 km from Mumbai and can reach through NH-3 via Thane-Kasar-Igatpuri. Nashik is 220 km away from Pune.
By Rail: The nearest Railway Station to the temple is Pandharpur railway station.
By Air: The temple can be reached through nearest Lohegaon Airport which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Mumbai.
The temple Opening & Closing time: 4AM to 7PM. June-July is attractive with a major festival of Yatra in Pandharpur.The most important dates for Pandharpur pilgrimage is on Aashadi Ekadashi (June- July) and Kartiki / Kartik Ekadashi (November). During these yatras or pilgrimage people travel from miles together, barefooted, fasting and chanting His holy name until they get a glimpse of the Lord.
October – November is very attractive with Navararathri and Diwali festivals celebrated with much pomp and show.
February – March is colorful with the festivities of Holi.
