About Pandharpur and Shri Vitthal Rakumini Mandir

The reference to Shri Vitthal Rukmini temple at Pandharpur is found in very old books like Dyneshwari (written by Great Saint Dyneshwar in the year 1200) and Gatha (written by Great Saint Tukaram Maharaj in the year 1600) and in many more books. I am sure the temple is very old when the counting of numbers was not available.

So the conclusion is the existence of Pandharpur temple is very old. You can read the history of Vitthal Rukhumini and you will come to know how this temple was formed.

Vitthal temple (Marathi श्री विठ्ठल-रूक्मिणी मंदिर) at Pandhapur is the main centre of worship of God Shri Vitthal and believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shri Krishna or Vishnu. It is the most visited temple in Maharashtra but many people from different states also visit this temple. All the devotees are allowed to touch the feet of the idol of Vithoba.

Great Saints who were followers or believed to be connected to Shri Vitthal Temple at Pandharpur are as follows :–

Shri Saint Dnyaneshwar^[13] (1275 – 1296)

Shri Saint Namdev (c. 1270 – c. 1350)

Shri Saint Eknath (1533–1599)

Shri Saint Chokhamela (14th century)

Shri Saint Gora Kumbhar (c. 1267 to c.1317)

Shri Saint Gora Kumbhar (c. 1267 to c.1317)

Shri Saint Janabai (c. 13th century)

Shri Saint Kabir (c. 15th century)

Shri Saint Tukaram (c. 1608 – 1649)

What is Annual Wari tradition?

A walking journey from Dehu and Alandi towards Pandharpur in the Month of June/July is called as wari. It is the annual pilgrimage.

Nowadays lakhs of people travel together with Saint Tukaram Maharaj Palki and Saint Dynaeshwar Maharaj Palki to Pandharpur and all these people reach Pandharpur on Ashadai Ekadashi to take Darshan. More information about wari. 

Actually, the tradition dates back to 1200 when Saint Dnyaneshwar’s great-grandfather – Trymbakpant Kulkarni – used to walk the WARI from his native Apegaon to Pandharpur. Saints Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Sawta Mali, Chokhoba and Tukaram used to participate in the WARI in their own lifetimes.

I was personally part of this wari in Pune and I was really speechless to listen the Bhajans, Abhangs, chanting, songs and I keep thinking how these lakhs of people get the energy to walk throughout the day and singing the bhajans and songs. My experience was divine.

Saint Shri Tukaram Maharaj Palki

Saint Shri Tukaram Maharaj Palki moves from Dehu (30 km from pune)

Saint Shri Dyneshwar Maharaj Palki

Saint Shri Dyneshwar Maharaj Palki moves from Alandi (52 km from pune)

Ringan takes place at specific halts by Warkari

Hotels and bhakta niwas at Pandharpur 

Chandrabhaga river at Pandharpur

Lakhs of people visiting Pandharpur during Ashadi Ekadashi and  Kartik Ekadashi take bath in a holy river called Chandrabhaga.