Vithoba Temple Pandharpur

Important information

Location: Main Road, Chouphala, Pandharpur, Maharashtra 413304.
Festivals: Aashadhi Ekadashi, Kartiki Ekadashi.
Open and Close Timings: 04:00 am to 11:45 pm.
Darshan Timings: 06:00 am to 11:00 am,
11:15 am to 04:30 pm,
05:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Kakada bhajan of Shri Vitthal and Rukmini and Nityapooja : 04.30 am to 6.00 am
Mahanaivedya: 11.00 am to 11.15 am.
Poshakh: 04.30 pm to 5.00 pm.
Dhoop arati: 06.45 pm to 7.00 pm.
Shej arati: 11.30 pm to 12.00 pm.
Nearest Railway Station: Kurduvadi Junction at a distance of nearly 51.7 kilometres from Vithoba Temple.
Nearest Airport: Solapur Airport at a distance of nearly 78 kilometres from Vithoba Temple.
Did you know: The Vitthal temple was built in the mid thirteenth century.

The Vithoba temple is a Hindu temple located in Pandharpur in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The Vithoba temple is officially known as the Sri Vitthal-Rukmini temple. The name of this temple comes in the famous temples of Maharashtra. This temple is completely dedicated to Lord Shri Vishnu. The main deity of this temple is the form of Lord Shri Vishnu called Vithoba. Vithoba is considered as an expression of Lord Shri Krishna. Several idols can be seen in this temple along with Sri Vithoba with his wife Rukmini.

The temple of Lord Shree Ganesh, Garuda and Hanuman is also established in the Vithoba temple. It also has shrines for Rukmini Devi, Satyabhama Devi, Radhika Devi, Lord Narasimha, Lord Venkateswara, Goddess Mahalaxmi, Nagaraja, Annapurna Devi.

The Chandrabhaga or Bhima River, on whose banks is the Pandharpur temple, is believed to have the power to wash away all sins. All devotees are allowed to touch the feet of the statue of Vithoba.

Parts of the temple date to the 12th or 13th century, the existing structure being mainly of the 17th century or later, and reflect the later Deccan style, with domed motifs and lobed arches.

How Vithoba came to Pandharpur is known through a story in which Pundalik is important. Pundalik was the only son of his parents Janudev and Satyavati. Who lived in a forest called Dandirvan. Pundalik used to mistreat his parents after his marriage. One day, his parents wanted to go to Kashi, the city of Lord Shiva, because of his bad behavior, but his son Pundalik came to know. Pundalik also decided to accompany his parents to Kashi. Throughout the way, Pundalik continued to misbehave with his parents. On the way to Kashi was the ashram of sage Kukkutaswamy. Pundalik decided to stay in this ashram. An incident happened with Pundalik in the night which made him realize the misbehave he had with his parents. He began to serve his parents. Lord Shri Krishna took the test of Pundalik. While Pundalik was feeding his parents, Lord Krishna came outside his house. Pundalik felt the presence of Lord Krishna. But he did not go out until he had fed his parents. Lord Krishna was very pleased with this work and asked Pundalik to ask for a boon. Pundalik requested Lord Shri Krishna to stay in Pandharpur and offer blessings to the true devotees. Then Lord Shri Krishna accepted this living as Vithoba form.

The most important festivals of Vithoba are held on Shayani Ekadashi in the month of Ashada and Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month of Kartik. In May 2014, the temple became the first temple in India to invite women and people.