vaishnava · Maharashtra
Pandharpur Sri Vitthal Rukmini Mandir
पण्ढरपुर श्री विट्ठल रुक्मिणी मन्दिर
Presiding deity: Bhagwan Vitthal (Vithoba), a unique standing form of Bhagwan Krishna with hands on hips, accompanied by his consort Rukmini Mata; the swayambhu sila idol is in arms-akimbo pose on a brick (vit) that gives the deity His name
Established: Antiquity uncertain; the present temple structure dates from the 13th-century Yadava era with major Peshwa-era additions in the 17th-18th centuries; saint Pundalik tradition predates the Mahanubhava and Varkari sampradayas
Significance
The single most important Vaishnava kshetra in Maharashtra and one of the most beloved Krishna shrines in all India; Pandharpur is called Bhu-Vaikuntha, the Vaikuntha on earth; the centuries-old Pandharpur Wari brings 1.5 million warkaris on foot from Alandi, Dehu, Trimbakeshwar and other saint-samadhi towns every Ashadhi Ekadashi; the Varkari Sampradaya founded by Sant Jnaneshwar, Sant Tukaram, Sant Eknath and Sant Namdev considers darshan of Vitthal as the highest goal of human birth; the abhang tradition of devotional poetry was born here
Legend
The leelas of Bhakta Pundalik are the foundation of Pandharpur — Pundalik, absorbed in serving his elderly parents at this spot on the Chandrabhaga, was unwilling to interrupt his seva even when Krishna himself arrived from Dwarka to bless him; Pundalik tossed a brick (vit) for Krishna to stand upon while he completed his parental seva; Krishna was so moved by this devotion that he agreed to remain standing on that very brick eternally for the welfare of all devotees, hands resting on his hips in the waiting pose; Rukmini Mata followed him from Dindirvan and was enshrined nearby
How to reach
Pandharpur is on the banks of the Bhima/Chandrabhaga river in Solapur district; well connected by MSRTC bus from Solapur (72 km), Pune (210 km), Hyderabad (320 km) and Mumbai (430 km); Pandharpur Railway Station is on the Kurduwadi-Miraj line
Where to stay
Sansthan Bhakta Niwas operated by Pandharpur Devasthan Samiti, MTDC Yatri Niwas, ISKCON Pandharpur, numerous Varkari mathas, abhang ashrams along the Chandrabhaga ghats, and budget hotels in the temple bazaar
Primary pujas performed here
- Padasparsha Darshan
- Chandrabhaga Snan
- Mahapuja
- Kakad Aarti
- Haripath Recitation
- Dindi Procession
- Pundalik Mandir Darshan
What to offer: Tulsi mala (the only flower offering Vitthal accepts as per Pundalik tradition), pedhe of Pandharpur, abir-bukka, naivedya of varan-bhat (dal-rice), and Chandrabhaga river water; Rukmini Mata receives kunkum, green bangles and saree
Modern access
The Pandharpur Wari is among the largest annual pilgrimages on earth and is on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage shortlist; the temple trust runs the largest free annapurna kitchen in western Maharashtra serving 50,000+ meals daily during the Waris; the Padasparsha Mukti scheme allows physically challenged and elderly devotees expedited foot-touching darshan; ISKCON has a major center here for international devotees
Nearby tirthas
- alandi-jnaneshwar-samadhi
- dehu-tukaram-samadhi
- tuljapur-bhavani
- akkalkot-swami-samarth
- shirdi-sai-baba