Pandharpur — The Spiritual Capital of Maharashtra

Pandharpur’s acclamation in several of Holy Scriptures and books of Hindu evidences its piousness and sacredness sought by tens of thousands of devotees daily from several parts of India. Pandharpur’s aura and its serenity make the true ardent swore by its piousness. There is no dearth of hymns, poetry and verses sung in the praise of the great Lord Vithal, the statuette Lord of Pandharpur Temple. Everyday hundreds of boats carry pilgrims to the temple at the Mahadwar Ghat from across the river Bhima. Pandharpur is hallowed with presence of the “Kuladivat” of Maharashtra: Shree Vithoba / Vithal or Panduranga and Rukmini, on the bank of the river. The specialty of the Sabbath to the Pandharpur is the two world’s feeling one gets on the river and across the river. Feel the serenity under the ripples of Bhima water and assay a divine darshan of Sri Vitthal.

Location

Pandharpur (also spelt as Pandarpur) is located in Solapur, the south-eastern district of Maharashtra, on the banks of river Bhima or Chandrabhaga, the tributary of river Krishna.

How to Reach

Air: Nearest Airport is located near Pune (212 km) and further shuttling is done in taxis and cars (Rs 2500 to Rs 3000).

By Train: Pandharpur Railway Station at Kurduwadi located at distance of 52 km is the nearest railway point but has limited trains However, Solapur is a best convenient with a broad gauge and more connectivity. Solapur is located at 74 km from the town of Pandharpur. Taxi charge is about Rs 1,000.

By Road: The National Highway 9 is connects Pandharpur to Solapur. A number of buses ply from Solapur to Pandharpur on an interval of 15 minutes. Similarly, there are buses from Mumbai, Pune and Dadar.

Pandharpur Legends and Mythology

A popular mytho in Pandharpur narrates how Lord Vitthal got the name here. An avatar of supremo Lord Krishna, the god once visited the Pundalik, one of the residents of Pandharpur and a devout Lord Vitthal. When the god visited Pundalik he found his devotee serving his parents wholeheartedly. On hearing his name from the divine visitor Pundalik threw a stone, handy at the time, in the direction of his visitor requesting him to stand on it as he was busy. However, so engrossed was Pundalik that he forgot all about the visitor. Later, when he went out to check he saw that his divine visitor turned into brick as the Lord wouldn’t have left without the permission of his staunch devotee. The Lord got his name from the Veet, meaning brick in Marathi, on which he stood. Since that time he came to be called as Lord Vitthal. Thus, from that day Vitthal stands in the brick on the bank of Chandrabhaga River in Solapur.

The Vithal Temple Architecture and Antiquity

The temple structure defies the senescence but the witness to a two millennia old temple is the scripture that was written in 1195. Exquisite carvings can be seen on the pillars and roofs of the temple. There is another shrine of Saint Namdeo, Lord Vitthal’s ardent devotee. Also, there is a small well called as Namdeo Payari constructed in the name of saint Namdeo. Recently renovated, the temple has a Darshan Mandap, built with the capacity to accommodate 80,000 devotees during the vari (Marathi) or procession. Inside there is another hall known as Solkhambi Mandap, a 16 pillared stone structure, constructed in 1802. All 16 pillars have intricate carvings and the innermost is made of silver. There is a custom among people to embrace the silver pillar before praying to the Lord. There are total of six gates in the shrine and the eastern entrance is the main entranceway into the temple. Also, a total of 25 temples comprising shrines of famous saints are found in the temple.  

The Vitthal Temple

Temple Timings: 6am-10.45pm

The age of the temple is said to be more than 2,000 years old. The idol of Rukmini and Vitthal wear a splendid look and seems that the Lord is staring at you with his consort. On special days such as during Vari (procession) time the temple remains opens throughout day and night. After a month long procession, the temple is washed with water and the Sri Vitthal and Rukmini idols in the temple are bathed and a new diet of sugars and spices are offered along whole new set of clothes since it is believed that the lords get tired of the busy days. As a custom, one has to offer earnest orison to the Lord at ‘Pad Sparsh Darshan’, which is bowing and touching the feet of the lord Vitthal. Irrespective of caste any devotee can enter the sanctum sanctorum and can place his/ her head at the feet of Vitthal. Pilgrims can participate in the Kakad Aarti (early morning puja), Mahapuja (Mega worship), Mahanaivedya (offering food to god), Poshak (offering of clothes to lord) that are performed regularly.

Pundalik Temple

Timings: 4am-7pm

This temple is dedicated to Vitthal’s devotee Pundalik and the temple is managed by the fisher folks who live by the side of the sea. Devotees wash their feet at the warm water spring Outside the temple is a small stone boat 2-3 ft long and extremely heavy to lift. Miraculously, back in the days of yore an abhang (a couplet sung in the praise of Lord) from Saint Tukaram made the boat afloat in water one evening. Additionally, a ferry across the river takes you to Gopalpur which is supposed to be the cattle grazing ground where Lord Krishna took his cows to. A small old dilapidated mandir here stands to evidence the fact. Adjacent to these temple are situated the ISKCON temple, a quiet place to pray, and Mhasoba Temple.

Vishnupad

Vishnupad is a rock in the centre of the Chandrabhaga River and nearing this pious rock one gets a beautiful view of the river. It is also a best place to click few snaps.

Alandi Pandharpur Yatra

Every year more than two lakhs of people set on to vari, the word which means something which should be done again and again, to Pandharpur to get the blessing of their Lord Vitthal.
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