Pandharpur Temple
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Pandharpur and kholapur On the 22nd of April 2012 five of us four adults and a child left by car from Pune to Pandharpur.. We left Pune at about 8.30 A.M.The distance from Pune to Pandharpur is 206 kms and it took us three hours to reach there. Sugarcane was just harvested and we could see carts, lorries loaded with piles and piles of the sweet plant. We located Gajanan maharaj’s ashram and the men went to book rooms while we waited. They finally came and after parking the car we went to our rooms-AC rooms with attached baths and a balcony with a view. The cost Rs.700 per room. The rooms were neat and clean so also the toilets.After having our packed lunch went to have darshan of Panduranga and Rakmai. We located the Eastern door. The first step was called Namdev chi payari or the step of Namdev which was reminiscent of our Kulasekhara padi. At the entrance was a blue tent like structure which was the samadhi of Chokamela a devotee of Panduranga. Even today thousands of warkaris whose mantra is RamakrishnaHari walk from Dehu Road and Alandi to Pandharpur for Ashada ekadasi.. As we stood in the line we remembered how the Lord and His consort came to Pandharpur and accepted the bricks given as asanams. Pundalika and his wife did not respect their parents and treated them with contempt. Pundalika repented and started treating his parents affectionately and respectfully. So much involved was he in serving them that when Krishna and Rukmini came in person to see them Pundalika did not stop serving his parents and threw bricks for the divine couple. Happily the Divya Dampathis accepted the asanam offered and in order to balance themselves placed their hands on their hips. This is the pose we find Them. We were lucky there was not much of a crowd. The devotees moved in a queue and we were awestruck by the sight of Panduranga with His Makara kundala and Peethambharam. We felt elated to touch His divine feet. After offering coconuts we went to have darshan of Rukmini or Rukma bai. Again we got to touch the feet of Mahalakshmi. Satisfied we went out and looked around. Ladoo Prasad was sold at a counter and after buying some we went back to our room. After some rest we took a tonga-ride (horse-cart) to the Chandrabhagha river. Since it was peak summer the water was little and muddy so we traced our steps back and visited Dwarkadeesh temple on the banks of the river. This temple resembled a palace and was built by the Rajput kings of yore. After worship we went to the shops and had lassi and bought some brass kujas (these are useful for carrying perumal theertham for those at home) for gifting. Then we went to have ‘Mukh darshan’ of Panduranga. This entrance took us through staircases and we finally reached Panduranga and Rakmabai. We bent our heads at their feet and made our way out. We went to bed early with the plan to leave for Kolhapur as soon as we could. Morning after bath and prayers we visited the Gajanan temple and had photo sessions at the place. There was a beautiful statue of Radha Krishna and we had photos taken there. We left Pandharpur after breakfast. We reached there in about two hours and went searching for the Mahalakshmi temple. Kolhapur is the place where Mahalakshmi did Tapas when she came to earth angered by Bhrigu Maharisi kicking Vishnu on His chest which was Her permanent residence. Brighu Maharishi wanted to establish The Absolute God and tested Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. Since Vishnu was not angered even when He got kicked on His chest-the abode of Sri, Brighu concluded that He alone was worthy of worship. Though temples for Vishnu started coming up Mahalakshmi was angered and came to Kolhapur to meditate. Just a slide glance of Mahalakshmi confers all auspiciousness and wealth people throng to get Her Kataksha. After offering flowers and kumkum we came out and shopped for Laksmi pictures for friends in different sizes. But what took a longer time was the shopping for Tushi jewellery. It was then time to leave. We left the place after lunch and reached Pune by 6.00p.m.
Vyjayanthi Rajan
30
Best part of this temple is that you can have darshan of bhagwan vitthal verry near to vigrah of bhagwan, you can even touch the feet if bhagwan vitthal. Never seen this thing in any temple Pandharpur Vitthal Rukmani Temple - Shri Vitthal Rukmani temple, Pandharpu near Solapur is the main center of worship for the Hindu deity Vitthal, believed to be a local form of god Krishna or Vishnu and his consort Rakhumai or Rukmini. Shri Vitthal Rukmani temple is the main centre of worship for Vithoba, a form of the god Vishnu . A dip in the holy river Chandrabhaga on whose banks Pandharpur resides, is believed to have power to wash all sins. Prettily placed on the majestic banks of River Chandra bagha, Pundalik Temple portrays lord Vitthal as its chief deity. Vitthal is one among the manifestations of Lord Vishnu. The main shrine is a five-story building with a pyramidal gun spire. The statue of Jaya and Vijaya flanks Lord Vithal. The main attraction in this square shaped temple is its portico, which has a measurement of 25' by 17'. This portico holds the idol of lord Shiva, which is protected by a brass cover. It is a customary practice that the devotees should wash their feet in the warm water spring that flows adjacent to the temple before they embark their dharshan of the lord. One among the embarrassing allure in the temple premises is the iron boat of 3 ft by 2 ft, which floats in the river water but appears too heavy to raise with hands. Timings in the temple is schedules between 4 AM -7 PM. Rukmini Mandir in the district of Solapur is one of the chief deities of Pandharpur. This temple dedicated to her is placed on the banks of Chandra Bhaga river and it is commonly called as the Panduranga Temple. Lofty walls and colossal towers are the landmark signs of this lovely shrine. Situated on a high platform the temple stands 370 feet east-west houses and170 feet northwest. The entry to the temple is through the Namdev gate which is characterized by a plight of 12 steps. The temple holds the statue of Namdev who is figured with his tambourine. Though Rukmini is the wife of Lord Krishna she is not seen with her husband in this shrine. Legend has it that Rukmini is doing her penance and that's why she is depicted alone in her temple. Earlier the mandir has only a small shrine and portico and later a mandap, an antarala and a sabhamandap were added to the existing structures . The Vishnupada literally is the lord's feet and the temple by this name situates with in the city limits. A lovely shrine on the majestic environ of the Chandrabhaga river is a breath taking site that allures the onlooker with its exquisite charm and prettiness. The temple is connected to the shore by a ramp. Constructed with stone masonry, the temple is in the shape of an open hall where sixteen pillars of stone support its flat roof. The pillar portrays images of Lord Krishna and Vishnu in their typical postures. The temple enshrines the lotus feet of the lord on rock, which are placed on a square. These rocks carries the footprints in two positions and one can also see the foot prints of a cow entrenched in it. One of the footprints shows cases the typical posture of Krishna standing on his left foot and the right foot crossed and resting on his toes. The other one depicts the lord on his both feet. Since the temple situates in the middle of the river temple shows water level up to its floor level and in the rainy months the temple is virtually submerges with the water .
Narender Kumar
10
Awestruck @Lord's feet We were a bit apprehensive regarding the long, serpentine queues, online darshan bookings and various other aspects of the Lord's darshan at Vitthala temple, from the variable reviews we'd read on the topic. Finally after years of vacilation, we reached Kolhapur on the 5th of November 2023 and set out early morning, on 6th November, to reach Pandharpur by 08-30. We got our online booking printouts validated by getting them stamped at 'Tukaram bhavan', handed over our mobile phones to the 'mobile locker' against a receipt before heading into the entry point which is very nondescript and tucked away fairly hidden from general view. Thanks for all of the above to Ranjith, an auto driver, who seemed to appear out of nowhere to drive us from the carpark to the temple and then guide us through all the officialdom mentioned above. We felt it was divine intervention that prompted Ranjith's sudden appearance and do all what he did for us. Mysterious, unexpected and unexplainable are the ways of the Lord, most often. Once we entered through the online booking portal we'd to work our way through an empty maze to join the general queue probably at its final one tenth. From then on it was only approx half an hour before we reached the lord. Awestruck is the right word to describe that moment. I was dumbfounded and stupefied, despite which I managed to pay obeisance to the Lord by touching his feet with both my hands as well as my forehead. Completely and comprehensively overwhelmed. From then on it was a winding down process, taking in the rest of the temple before exiting. I'd never experienced anything similar in my life, ever before. Some tips for first timers planning to visit Lord Vitthala: 1. Unless you've any vow, avoid weekends, public holidays, Wednesdays, festivals, ekadeshi etc. 2. Book online darshan early enough as stipulated on their website 3. Carry a printout of the booking with you and validate it by getting it stamped at Tukaram bhavan before attempting special entry through the online darshan booking entry point. 4. The mobile locker service is very very close to the special entry point. 5. General queue waiting times can vary from 2 to 3 hrs on ordinary days to several more on special days. Dr C G Raghu
CG Raghu
100
**Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)** **Review:** The Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur is a divine and spiritually enriching experience that every devotee should have at least once in their lifetime. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vitthal (a form of Lord Krishna) and Goddess Rukmini, and it holds a special place in the hearts of millions of devotees. **Spiritual Atmosphere:** The temple exudes a powerful spiritual aura. As soon as you step inside, you can feel the divine presence. The chanting of "Vithoba, Vithoba" by the devotees fills the air, creating an atmosphere of pure devotion and serenity. The experience of darshan, especially during the early morning Kakad Aarti, is simply unparalleled. **Architecture and History:** The temple's architecture is an amalgamation of traditional Maratha and South Indian styles, reflecting its rich cultural heritage. The intricate carvings and the historical significance of the temple add to its grandeur. It is believed to be more than 800 years old, making it a site of immense historical and religious importance. **Management and Facilities:** Despite the large crowds, especially during the Ashadhi Ekadashi, the temple management does an admirable job of organizing the darshan smoothly. There are separate queues for senior citizens, and the staff is generally helpful. The temple premises are well-maintained, and basic amenities like drinking water and clean restrooms are available. **Tips for Devotees:** - **Best Time to Visit:** If you wish to avoid the crowd, plan your visit early in the morning or late at night. However, if you want to experience the temple's vibrant atmosphere, visiting during festivals like Ashadhi Ekadashi or Kartiki Ekadashi is recommended. - **Attire:** Dress modestly and respectfully, as this is a place of worship. - **Footwear:** Remember to keep your footwear at designated areas before entering the temple. **Conclusion:** Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple is not just a place of worship; it’s a spiritual journey that brings you closer to the divine. Whether you are seeking blessings, peace, or simply a moment of introspection, this temple is the perfect place. Highly recommended for all devotees and spiritual seekers.
Amit Wani
00
Pandharpur Vitthal Rukmini Mandir is one of the oldest piligrimage centres. Here Lord Krishna is in the form of Vitthal statue standing on two bricks given by his devotee Pundalik who was busy serving his parents. There is temple of Bhakta Pundlik at the Mahadwar Ghat Vitthala is worshipped by many saints namely Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, Namdev, Eknath etc. And Vittoba is known by different names like Pandurang, Pandhari, Vithal, Vithalnath etc. The stone temple is very old & has great carvings. The temple has eight entries. The main entrance is the eastern Mahadwara, also called as Namdev Payari. It is called so, as the remains of the great saint Namdev are buried as per his desire, under these steps. After Namdev Payari there are 3 small rooms called Mukti Mandap Vithal Sabha Mandap with wooden pillars, Solkhamb hall with 16 pillars. One of the pillars is plated with gold at the base & silver above known as Garud Khamb. Near the Solkhamb there is a large stone slab with inscription of 1208 A.D. Next is Chowkhambh hall with four pillars. From here one can view the beautiful idol of Vithoba standing on 3' platform with silver canopy above. Behind Vithoba temple in the north east corner, facing east is the Rukmini temple. Here very devotee can actually place his/ her head on the feet of Vittoba. This Paadsparshadarshan is unique & not found elsewhere. But it takes 2hr on ordinary days, 4hr on holidays & upto 24 hr on Yatra days. They have built a steel structure over the narrow streets & devotees walk in queues to have darshan. There is also Mookhdarshan, for those who cannot stand in long queues, but can view the idol from a distance of 25 m. This takes only 15 min. This temple is on the banks of the Bhima River, also known as Chandrabhaga because of its half-moon shape. Ashadh & Kartiki Ekadashi Wari is very popular in Maharashtra. Warkaris reach Pandharpur by walking in groups called Dindi.
Geetha Pai
20
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.
vinayak radder
40
Nearby Attractions Of Pandharpur Temple
Shri Vitthal Rukmini Mandir
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Mandir
Kaikadi Maharaj Mandir
ISKCON Pandharpur, Shree Shree Radha Pandharinath Mandir
ISKCON Pandharpur
Shree Pundalik Mandir
Tanpure Maharaj Math
Bhakt Pundalik Temple , Pandharpur

Shri Vitthal Rukmini Mandir
4.7
(11.6K)
Click for details

Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Mandir
4.6
(2.3K)
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Kaikadi Maharaj Mandir
4.4
(906)
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ISKCON Pandharpur, Shree Shree Radha Pandharinath Mandir
4.6
(718)
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Nearby Restaurants Of Pandharpur Temple
Shree Rajbhog Veg Thali Restaurant & Dining Hall
Hotel Savera
Special Golden Tea
Parbramha Pure Veg
Coffee & Etc.
Royal the perfect biryani house
Hotel Amar Restaurant & Bar
Hotel Renuka Bhojanalaya
Hotel Rangoli Bar & Restaurant
MAHAJAN FOODS

Shree Rajbhog Veg Thali Restaurant & Dining Hall
4.9
(959)
Click for details

Hotel Savera
4.0
(430)
Click for details

Special Golden Tea
4.1
(379)
$$
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Parbramha Pure Veg
3.9
(243)
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Basic Info
Address
M8HP+42J, Chouphala, Pandharpur, Maharashtra 413304, India
Map
Reviews
Overview
4.7
(452 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
attractions: Shri Vitthal Rukmini Mandir, Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Mandir, Kaikadi Maharaj Mandir, ISKCON Pandharpur, Shree Shree Radha Pandharinath Mandir, ISKCON Pandharpur, Shree Pundalik Mandir, Tanpure Maharaj Math, Bhakt Pundalik Temple , Pandharpur, restaurants: Shree Rajbhog Veg Thali Restaurant & Dining Hall, Hotel Savera, Special Golden Tea, Parbramha Pure Veg, Coffee & Etc., Royal the perfect biryani house, Hotel Amar Restaurant & Bar, Hotel Renuka Bhojanalaya, Hotel Rangoli Bar & Restaurant, MAHAJAN FOODS

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