Shri Pandharpur Yatra

Shri Vitthal (Vitthal Mahatmya)

The parabrahma or the God of Pandharpur is worshipped and lovingly called by his devotees with many names in different course of the time, like Pandharinath, Pandurang, Pandhariraya, Vithai, Vithoba, Vithumauli, Vitthal gururao, Pandurang, Hari etc. However, today this God is well-known as Pandurang and Shri Vitthal. Many historians and researchers tried to find out the etymological origin of the word “Vitthal”. Some scholars believe that it is a distorted form of the original word Vishnu. The words like Vittharas, Vitta found in various Kannad epigraphs are basically the elaboration of the word Vishnu. The Great Saint poet Tukaram defines the word Vithoba in one of his abhangas that stands for ‘Knowledge’ + Thoba Stands for ‘form’ Thus Vithoba stands for the ‘form of ultimate Knowledge’ or ‘idol of ultimate Knowledge’. It is also believed that Vi stands for bird Eagle + Thoba Stands for sitting place, thus Vithoba stands for the ‘God who sits on Eagle’. Vithoba is God Vishnu, standing on a brick and resting his arms on his west. It is believed that Shri Krishna, Shri Vishnu and Shri Vithoba are all different names and forms of the one and the same God. Shri Krishna is known as incarnation of Shri Vishnu which took place on Wednesday (Shravan Vadya Ashtami) at the end of Dwaparyuga. Vithoba is Shri Krishna only. Wednesday is known as the day of Vithoba. So devotees (varkari) of Vithoba never leave Pandharpur on Wednesday even now.
There is a verse in Purana, the holy scripture of the Vedic religion

Vi karo vidhatay, tha karo nilakanthay |
La karo lakshmikant, vitthalabhidhineeyame ||

Means- 
vi-Vidhata Brahmadev,
ttha-nilakantha God Shankar,
la-lakshmikant-Vishnu
thus it leads to say that all three deities Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are signified by one name Vitthal or are included in one God Vitthal.

Shri Rukmini

Mother Shri Rukmini’s temple is in north of the temple of Shri Vitthal. There are four sections of the temple sabhamandap, main mandap, madhyagriha and gabhara. On the north of the madhyagriha, there is a room for wardrobe of Shri Rukmini. It is equipped with silver bed, well maintained mattresses and velvet clothes.
Next to gabhara there is tall square size pillar on which west facing magnificent and attractive idol of mother Shri Rukmini is fixed. Like Shri Vitthal she is also standing resting her hands on her waist. The mother Shri Rukmini’s idol is decorated with many ornament’s and clothes. On her forehead there is big round kumkum tilak. All devotees touch Shri Rukmini’s feet with full of love and devotion in mind.

There is reference in Holy Scripture about how Shri Rukmini and Shri Vitthal arrived in Pandharpur. - Shri Krishna had eight wives. One day Shri Rukmini saw Shri Krishna sitting with a wife named Radhika. Shri Rukmini left the place out of hatred and jealousy after knowing Shri Krishna’s affection towards other wives and went to Dindir van. Shri Krishana didn’t know where Rukmini was started a search for Rukmini and reached in Dindir van where He found Rukmini. There was also another reason behind Shri Krishna’s Visit to Dindir van and that was His one of the greatest devotees Bhakt Pundalik was also living in the same place with his ailing parents. Shri Krishana wanted to fulfill the promise given to King Muchkund by Him who was Bhakt Pundalik in his next life. 

Chandrabhaga River Pandharpur: A Sacred and Scenic Place

Chandrabhaga River Pandharpur is a place where the Bhima River, also known as Chandrabhaga River, flows near the town of Pandharpur, in the Solapur district of Maharashtra, India. It is a place where you can experience the spirituality and culture of Maharashtra. It is also a place where you can enjoy the beauty of nature and the river.

The main attraction of Chandrabhaga River Pandharpur is its religious and cultural significance, as it is associated with many saints and devotees of the Bhakti movement. The river is considered to be sacred by Hindus, as it is believed that Lord Krishna came to this place to meet his disciple Pundalik, who was busy serving his parents. Pundalik offered a brick (vit) to Lord Krishna and asked him to wait standing on it till he finished his service. Lord Krishna agreed and waited patiently on the brick, which became his idol as Vitthal or Vithoba. The temple of Vitthal and Rukmini (his consort) was built on the bank of the river by Pundalik.

The river also hosts many festivals and events throughout the year, such as Ashadhi Ekadashi (June-July), Kartiki Ekadashi (November), Maghi Ekadashi (January), etc. These festivals attract lakhs of pilgrims from all over India, who come to seek blessings from Vitthal and Rukmini. The pilgrims also perform various rituals and ceremonies at the river, such as snan (bathing), abhishek (bathing the idols), palakhi (palanquin procession), kirtan (devotional singing), etc.

The river is a significant place for both natural and cultural reasons. It is considered to be one of the most sacred rivers in Maharashtra, as it has been worshipped by many saints and devotees of Maharashtra. Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram, Sant Namdev, Sant Eknath, Sant Nivruttinath, Sant Muktai, Sant Chokhamela, Sant Savata Mali, Sant Narhari Sonar, Sant Gora Kumbhar, Sant Meera Bai and Sant Gajanan Maharaj are some of those prominent saints who have visited and praised this river.

The river also showcases the rich and diverse culture of Maharashtra, with its cuisine, art, music, and dance. You can taste some delicious food such as modak (sweet dumplings), puran poli (sweet flatbread), amti (lentil curry), etc. You can also see some amazing art forms such as rangoli (floor art), warli painting (tribal art), etc. You can also hear some melodious music such as abhang (devotional songs), bhajan (hymns), etc. You can also watch some graceful dance forms such as lavani (folk dance), bharatanatyam (classical dance), etc.

The river also offers some scenic views and activities for nature lovers. You can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, and birdwatching on the river. You can also take a walk along the shore and admire the sunset and sunrise over the river.