Pandharpur Temple Festival

Legend:

Lord Vishnu is worshipped at the temple of Vithoba, Pandharpur. The legend is derived from the Puranas and amplified by Vaishnava saints of Maharashtra and Karnataka though 13th and 17th centuries. Various legends are associated with the worship of Lord Vishnu in this temple. The story revolves round the love and respect a Brahmin named Pundalik showered upon his parents. Moved by Pundalik’s devotion, Lord Vishnu visited Pundalik’s house at Pandharpur in the incarnation of Krishna. Pundalik was serving his parents when Vishnu visited him and he threw a brick at the visitor since he was interrupted while serving his parents. However, another version relates that since he was too busy with his parents, he did not have time to pay attention to the visitor, so he just threw a brick for the God to rest on. However, despite the treatment, he was too pleased with the saint’s sense of duty towards his parents and he stayed put in Pandharpur. Since then, the image of Vishnu stands at Vithoba. Devotees, who throng Vithoba, identify themselves as the brick under God’s feet denoting complete self-surrender. Vithoba is revered as the form of Vishnu or Krishna , his eighth incarnation.

History of the Festival:

The festival was first started by Narayan Baba, the youngest son of Tukaram in 1685. Narayan Baba introduced the palanquin or the palkhi in this festival as a sign of social respect. The rituals at the festival are quite elaborate which only the Warkaris or followers of holy ritual can appreciate. Since then, the palkhi has become a unique part of the festival. The palkhi which starts in the month of Jyeshtha is decorated with padukas and masks of saints, Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram. Nearly sixty palkhis take part in the procession. The celebrations last for three weeks. The palkhi of Dnyaneshwar sets out from Alandi, while that of Tukaram from Dehu. The palkhi reaches Pandharpuron the 11th day of Ashadh. During this time, the whole area of Vithoba temple gets flooded with Warkaris and the air is filled with Jai Jai Vithoba –Rakhumait Jai Jai Vithoba – Rakhumail.  

Month:

The festival starts in the Hindu month of Jyestha. Three feasts are annually held in the months of April, July and November.

Place and Community:

Pandharpur, a small town in Solapur in Maharashtra is home to the temple of Vithoba on the banks of Bhima. This shrine holds a lot of significance for the Maharashtrians.