Pandharpuram
is one of the most prominent pilgrimage places in Maharashtra. It is located on
the banks of the Bhīma River, also called river Chandrabhaga because it is half-moon shaped river.
The city is named after a great devotee Pundalik, who achieved self-realization
in padharpuram.
The
worship of Vitthala in the Pandharpuram temple is based mainly on the contents
of the puranas and the contributions of the Vaishnav saints of Maharashtra and Karnataka during the 13th through the 17th
centuries.
The
name of saints are Dnyaneshwar, Namadever, Gora Kumbhar, Janubai Chokhamela, Eknath, Tukaram, Purandara
Dasa, Vijaya Dasa, Gopala Dasa,
and Jagannatha
Dasa.
The
Pandharpuram temple covers a large area and has six gates. The eastern gate is
known as the "Namadever Gate."
Pandharpuram
throng pilgrimages of devotees in
four seasons. They are the month of Ashada (June–July) this time the largest
number of pilgrims—around 500,000 to 700,000 people. The months of Kartheega (October–November), Magha (January–February) and Sravana (July–August) attract the second, third and
fourth largest numbers of pilgrims respectively.
The legend says the most important explanation
and how Vitoba came to Pandharpuram. Pundalik is a devoted son to his parents
Janudev and Satyavati, who lived in a forest called Dandirvanam. But after his
wedding, Pundalik begins ill-treating his parents. Vexed with
their son’s misbehavior and ill treatment, the elderly couple decides to leave for Kasi. 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 rode on horseback, the weak old couple walked in bad
weather. Pundalik to be made his old parents to work for his own journey
comfortable. On the way to Kasi, they reached a hermitage of a pious and revered
sage, Kukkutswami. The family was too
tired so decided to spend a few days in the hermitage. That night, when all
were asleep, Pundalik by chance awoke and saw a remarkable vision. There were a
group of beautiful young women to looks
ugly dressed up in muddy and stained clothes
, enter the ashram; they clean the floor, fetch water and wash the sage’s
clothes. After finishing their responsibilities, they go to the prayer-room. After
prayer they appeared beautiful and their clothes ware spotlessly clean. Then,
they vanished. Pundalik with amazement
was stunned. It remains on his mind the
whole day and he resolves to remain awoke the next night, and confirmed it was
not a dream. Pundalik curiously approached the beautiful women and asked the facts.
They reply that they are the Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswathi the holy
rivers revered for their holiness. Pilgrims wish to take a dip in their holy
waters to wash away their sins, which in fact are soiling their clothes and become
ugly. Then, the women said " O
Pundalik, you, with your ill-treatment of your parents, you are the greatest
sinner of all, you don’t come near”. Heard this Pundalik is utterly shocked and
his consciousness transforms. He realized his misdeeds, became entirely devotee
to his parents and ensures their comfort. Devotion in any
form reaches to God quickly.
Impressed by Pundalik's devotion to his parents, Lord Vishnu thought to bless
Pundalik immediately. So, He left Vaikuntham (His abode) and entered for
Pundalik’s ashram and Vishnu knocked at Pundalik’s hermitage door, when he is
busy serving food to his
parents so he does not realize God is at
his door however he wished to complete
his duties and only then attend the visitor, saying that Pundalik
gave the Lord a brick to stand on and asked Lord to wait until his duty is completed. The Lord was so pleased with his devotion
that the Lord waited placing his hands on his hip for him. When Pundalik came out, he asked
God's forgiveness for neglecting Him, but the Lord happily told him to ask a
boon and it would be fulfilled. What more could a devotee ask when his Lord was
standing right in front of him? Pundalik asked that He should remain here as
you waited and bless all his devotees.
His wish was granted and the Lord remained behind and is known as Vithoba or
the Lord who stands on a brick. This form of the Lord is Swayambhu which means
self existence. He is accompanied by His consort Rakhumai or Rukmini and
bestowing to his devotees
