Pandharpur Yatra, Glories Of Lord Vithal/Vithoba
July 16, 2007
The “Vi” in Lord Vithoba’s name denotes knowledge and “Thoba” denotes shape. He is the shape of knowledge or the idol of knowledge. Another interpretation is that the word “Vitthala” is said to be derived from the Marathi word “Vit”, meaning brick. The reason behind the brick will be explained later in this article. “Ba” is used to denote “father” in Marathi.
Lord Vithal/ Vitthal/ Vithoba is none other than Lord Vishnu, Lord Narayana or Lord Krishna. It is believed that Lord Krishna had incarnated at the end of Dwarpa Yuga on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the holy month of Shravan (As per the Hindu calendar). He is lovingly called names like Pandrinath, Panduranga, Pandhairiraya, Vithai, Vithoba, Vithu-mauli, Vitthalgururao by his devotees. But the well-known and commonly used names are Pandurang / Panduranga and Shri Vitthal / Vithal. The word Vitthala is said to be derived from the Kannada (a language spoken in the southern parts of India) word for Lord Vishnu. The worship of Lord Vitthala has been derived mainly from the Puranas. His worship has been made well-known by the teachings, poems, kirtans, and pads of great Vaishnava saints of Maharashtra from the 13th through the 17th centuries. They were saints like Sant Namdeo /Namdev, Sant Jnaneshwar, Sant Eknath and Sant Tukaram. Pundalik, a saint was closely associated with this shrine, and hence this shrine is also known as Pundarika Pura.
According to the legend, there was once a devoted son called Pundalik. He looked after the needs of his father Janudev and his mother Satyavati. But things changed when Pundalik got married. He started ill treating them. Tired of his tyranny, the parents decided to head for Kashi / Varanasi. It is said that those who die in Kashi attain salvation and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. This is still believed today and many people travel there when they feel their end is near.
Hearing his parents plans, Pundalik and his wife decided to join them. His treachery continued so much that he made his old parents walk throughout the journey while he and his young wife rode on a horse. On the way, they came across the hermitage of the venerable sage, Kukkutswami. Tired of the long journey, the group decided to spend some days there. That night, Pundalik lay awake and witnessed something remarkable. Just before dawn, he saw a group of beautiful, young women dressed in dirty clothes, enter the Sage’s hermitage. They did chores like cleaning the floor, fetching water and washing the Sage’s clothes. After that, they went to the prayer room. When they came out, their clothes were spotlessly clean and they disappeared. Pundalik wasn’t alarmed seeing this but rather he felt at peace. He kept thinking about the incident the following day. He wanted to be sure that he was not dreaming but had truly witnessed such a glorious incident. So he remained awake again. But this time, he got closer and decided to speak to the women.
“Who are you all?”
“We are Ganga, Yamuna and all the holy rivers of India. People take a dip and bathe in us to wipe away their sins. The impurity of their mind, body and souls make us dirty. That’s why you see our clothes in such filthy condition.” Pundalik was amazed with their answer.
“But you are the biggest sinner of all because of the way you treat your parents.”
This was a rude awakening for Pundalik. He realized his mistake and changed his ways. He served his parents well and looked after all their needs and comforts. It is said that devotion in any form reaches God. Seeing Pundalik’s sincere devotion towards his parents, Lord Vishnu was extremely pleased. He left his abode – Vaikauntha Lok to bless Pundalik.
Lord Vishnu reached Pundalik’s house and knocked on his door but he was serving food to his parents. Pundalik saw the Lord at his door but his devotion to his parents was so intense that he wanted to finish his duties first and then attend to his guest. It didn’t matter to him whether the guest was a mere mortal or God.
Pundalik gave the Lord a brick to stand on and asked Him to wait until his duty was completed. The ever-loving Lord was so pleased with his devotee that He waited for him. When Pundalik came out, he asked God’s forgiveness for neglecting Him, but the Lord instead asked him to request 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 on earth 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 that His idol has not been carved or etched but it came into existence on its own. He is accompanied by His consort Rakhumai or Rukmini.
The most important dates for Pandharpur pilgrimage is on Aashadi Ekadashi (June- July) and Kartiki / Kartik Ekadashi (November). During these yatras or pilgrimage people travel from miles together, barefooted, fasting and chanting His holy name until they get a glimpse of the Lord.
Warm water is gently poured to wash this mixture off the Lord’s body. Water symbolically represents that all the rivers like Ganga, Jamuna, Saraswati, Godavari, Krishna, Chandrabhaga and their tributaries are all paying their respects.
The next ritual is giving the Lord a bath with Pancha Amrut. Panch meaning five and Amrut denote divine nectar. These five ingredients include milk, curd or yogurt, ghee or clarified butter, honey and sugar. The sugar is in the powdered form. This Pancha Amrut Snana or bath begins with a conch filled with cow’s milk. After each item, fragrant water and flower is placed on the Lord’s head. Next is yogurt made of cow’s milk is poured. The Lord is then offered fresh, white cream, followed by ghee or clarified butter. Honey is next. Sugar as white as snow is gently rubbed on this divine form. Milk is continuously poured until all the elements of Pancha Amrut washes away.
The second video describes the Shringar – the way Lord Vithal is dressed. He wears garments of the finest silk and sparkling jewels. His forehead is adorned with Tilak made of sandalwood paste and Kasturi (Fragrance obtained from the rare breed of deer called Kasturi). This is followed by garlands of fresh, fragrant flowers. After the completion of Shringar, the Lord is then shown a mirror which is framed in silver.
A short Aarti is performed and the curtain is closed. Behind the closed drapes, the Lord is offered Naivedyam or food. The curtains are raised again and the Lord is offered fruits and rice. Then the main Aarti is performed. This brings joy to all the devotees who see their Lord in full divine glory.
©Nayna, 2007-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Similar Posts
Comments
91 Responses to “Pandharpur Yatra, Glories Of Lord Vithal/Vithoba”
Got something to say?
Good information is given here.
This information is very good.
Good information Nice to remember Vithal with his stories
Its a good write up. Thanks
Please provide latest information on this year’s yatra, few photos, events, etc. All the best.
The level of detail and the pure emotion with which this article has been written clearly demonstrates the sincere service that can only be performed by a devotee. The essence potrayed in this one article automatically generates visual stimuli in one’s soul as one reads through this article. It is said that only a devotee can truly appreciate His Divine Grace but it is articles like this that can turn even a casual reader into a devotee. All Glories to His Divine Grace. All Glories to Shree Krishna, Shree Narayana and to all devotees. Please continue to enlighten us with more knowledge as often as you can.
Pandharpur Temple is very pure minded people area,because there is Vithoba god is actually situated.in pandharpur one miracle is actually gods Darshan is taken by touch our head to leg of Vitthoba.In the world this action is taken in only pandharpur mandir not anywhere.
so i pray to god that our life should be became calmfull,happiness & Bhaktimay by god.
It is very important and useful information for competative exam
Hi Vithal,
Thanks for writing in. We are so glad that you liked our piece. If you have any suggestions do let us know.
I am very glad to read this information regarding lord vihtala which truely encouraging devotees of lord vitthal like me. please provide some extra photos and infromation related to lord vitthal.
Dear Ganesh,
Thanks for writing in. Photographs inside the temple is not prohibited so our hands are tied and we cannot provide you with more elaborate pictures. Whenever it is possible we can get videos of the area around the temple and present it here. If you have any photographs of your visits to Pandharpur, do share it with us and we will give credit to your contribution on our blog. Thanks again for your input.
By the god’s grace I got an opportunity to be at 3 pilgrimage places in your district. I would like to compliment you for being the collector of such divine places , however I have few complaints about the two places , viz , pandharpur and tulzapur. It was a very feeling to be at such places and I am overwhelmed with the darshan that I have received at both the places. But to my surprise I found the employees of both the trust too corrupted. In pandharpur and in tulzapur I was shocked to see the pujaris asking for money , they were demanding money in the name of god. I am sure all these pujaris are well paid by the respective trusts. I have been to such places before and everywhere I found a notice board that the “pujaris are paid by the trust hence its requested , not to give money to the pujaris.” It should be requested to the devotees that the money should be put in the “daan peti”. So that it is used for the maintenance of the temple or for charity. The building in pandharpur where devotees form a queue is in extremely pathetic condition with walls not been painted since years and etc.
Good tears in eyes to realise the love of the loard to his deevotees. Thanks to the saint Pundalik…..due to whom we can see the form of our loard on earth. please add some more photos which can give us the sacred feelings of our loard.
EXLLENT ARTICLE.KEEP IT UP.-NITIN KAMBLE
Dear Nitin,
Thanks for your encouraging feedback. We keep informing our readers about various places of pilgrimage from time to time. If you have any information that you would like to share, feel free to write in.
DEAR NAYNA,
THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK, THERE ARE MANY UNKNOWN THINGS ABOUT LORD VITTHAL OF PANDHPUR.THE IDOL OF LORD VITTHAL IS ALSO UNIQUE.THERE IS A SHIVLING ON THE HEAD OF VITTHAL.THERE IS MARK OF KICK GIVEN BY BHRIGU RISHI ON THE CHEST OF LORD VITTHAL WHICH IS CALLED AS “BHRIGLANCHAN”.THERE ARE MAKARKUNDALS IN THE EARS OF VITTHAL.HE HAS PADMA AND CHAKRA ON HIS SHOULDERS.
THERE ARE MANY THINGS ABOUT PANDHARPUR.THANKS.
NITIN
Yatra of pandharpur in ashadhi ekadashi.pls view this festival
great…….great.
Thanks for an enlightening article on Lord Vithoba. Very nice write up. But I was also looking for information on why Vithoba is black in colour. What is the history behind his posture? Why is he standing with his hands on his waist ? If you can mail me the same, I will be thankful.
Good luck,
Surhuda
Hi Surhuda,
Thanks for writing in. Lord Vithoba has a dark complexion because he is after all Lord Krishna. The hands on his waist indicates that he was impatiently waiting for Pundalik to attend to him. This has many other interpretations based on insights from various religious texts like Puranas. It can also be interpretated that Lord is waiting for us mortals to realise him but we are so bound by Maya-the material world that we not bothered to find the path that leads to him.
Thanks for a prompt reply. I am a features writer too. Please guide me on writing opportunities on the net. May be your own website. Thanks.
Surhuda
Heard of food mark of Maharshi Brigu on the idol chest. Is it true?? have any info??
no word to say its great please record video shooting as possible and view that on net there was online tv in the temple
In Vedio number 1 the man talking about mantras No any mantras in Varkari Sampradaya.Please Information is very good but get full information & video bofore uploding on Net
Some video than nothing at all. If you don’t like it, why don’t you video shoot and send it to us.
show ashadhi ekadashi abhishek photo of vitthal on photo gallery
Visit the temple this Ashadi Ekadashi on 14th July 2008 and see the glory of the Lord in person.
I worship lord vitthal from bottom of my heart.. good write up…
Vithal Vithal
Thank you very much, that through this site i got a prestigious opportunity to see THE LORD VITHAL & RUKHMINI on this special day (Aashadi Akadishi). I pary to Lord Vithal to keep us all healthy and fine.
Thanks Vithal Vithal
Mahendra
On this ocassion of Asadhi akadashi igot an apportunity to see Vittal and rukmini it feels great and happy to me .thanks to you
Dear Mahendra
Thank you for your appreciation. We are trying to make sure we are able to satisfy the needs of the devotees the best way we can through our blog. We value your positive feedback.
Dear Rashmi,
Thank you for your valuable input. Have a wonderful and blissful Ekadashi.
Its really nice and feels spiritual. Thanks a lot
Nayana u really done a good job
thanks
today Aashadi ekadahi and my mom and dad have completed paivari and are in Pandharpur today. And I am in Duabi far away from my home country though also i got a darshan of Vithoba.
i realy thanks a lot
grate…..grate – no word remain to say.
PANDHARINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI!!!! Its really very very great. Though i was on duty in hospital,icould my PANDHARINATH on the auspicious occaission of ASHADHI EKADASHI. Lakh lakh upkar “mayabaap”.Dhya ahat tumhi ani tumche MAYABAAP. PANDHARINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI!!!!!!
Thanks for this site,
On this ocassion of Asadhi akadashi igot an apportunity to see Vittal and rukmini it feels great and happy to me
Thank you for giving us all the darshan of Vitthal Rukhumai . Lets all pray on this auspicious day of Ashadhi Ekadashi that every son and daughter is
devoted to his parents like Pundalik . Pundalik varde hari Vitthal .
Thank you for enlightening us with such rich information. Today is “Aashadi Ekadashi” and very delighted to get the darshan of the lord Vitthal on such an auspicious day! Pundalik varde hari Vitthal
it was marvalous knowledge of god vitthal, but i wanted to know more details of vitthal with some images. thank you.
vittthal vitthal vitthala
hari om vitthala
no word
what are the paid sevas as well as free sevas available at the pandharpur vithoba temple on Friday 16th August 2008
i very much eager to see kakada arti if u have any vidio of it please send me
thanking you
Dear KVR Rao,
We are not affiliated with the temple or the management of Pandharpur. This blog provides an insight on Hinduism, its revered deities, festivals and important pilgrimage centres. Details that you have requested will be able with the temple authorities.
Dear Prashant Pawar,
The videos presented here are of Kakkad aarti.
i am very happy when i saw this site.This is good tri to do bhakti.Due to this site i know more about vitthal.The lord vishnu.
I wnat to know the address/phone nos of ‘ Vital trust ‘ and ‘ padmavati tank’ for staying at pandharapur for accommadation
What are the devotional placves to see in and near pandharpur please tell us, and if best hotels also tell u
From karnataka, for example davanagere, many go to pandharapur for darshan by padayatra. i wish to know the route and distance information
Thank you for writing in Kanakuppi. You will have to gather this information from google maps. They have satellite navigation routes which will be more accurate and suitable for your exact requirements.
Thank you Good information but i am dis appointed with the video -I was not available
pl inform about the accommodation details at Pandharapur for devotees & how too book accommodation
Dear sir
I am visiting Pandrapur on 8th Aug 08(08/08/08) though it my official birth date pl guide me how to make my visit successful in foot of lord VITTALA i got some information but i worried about my stay,accommodation,pl help me in this regard PL ALSO HOW TO MAKE DARSHAN PL
KRISHNAMURTHY.S
Hello Mr. Krishnamurthy,
Thank you for writing in. Congrats that you are able to go on an auspicious day to get the blessing of Lord Vithal. I am sure many people will envy you on your good fortune. The video is working well, maybe you could be facing some bandwidth problem. Regarding your question on how to perform the perfect darshan. I would recommend that you take the help of a priest. As you see, different people follow various customs and the Vedic methods are the ultimate. A knowledgeable priest will be able to guide you properly and this will also give you satisfaction and peace of mind.
We wish you the very best on your upcoming birthday.
Dear sir
Pl help me where to stay when we are in Pundrapur
your’s truly
Krishnamurthy.s
Hello again Mr. Krishnamurthy,
We are not associated with any travel agencies, hotels or travel guides. We therefore cannot recommend which are the best places to stay. We are not encouraging or discouraging any persons to stay at any lodgings. This totally lies on your discretion and budget. We are a blog providing information to the best we can.
sir,
u r information is very impressive pl keep it,iam planning to visit shirdi on 16th of sep08 if god permists i want visist vittobha also.
thank u
srinivasa sukumar thotapalli
Dear Mr. Srinivasa Sukumar,
Thank you so much for your appreciation. We are very happy to know that you will be going for this pilgrimage. We wish you all the best. Have a wonderful journey and a satisfying darshan. When you come back, do write in and tell us your experience. We would love to hear your firsthand knowledge which will also encourage others to seek the blessing of Lord Vithoba.
I just loved the information on Vithoba and am enlightened..what I would like to know is where do i get the Vithoba aarati which is sung at Ganesh utsav ( hey re o vithale maajhe maaouni ye)
pls suggest a site so cn download the sme.
tks
jyotsna
hi, the information given s very valuable. i worship only lord vitthal …bcz he s suprime lord………
I have visited the temple on 5th October 2008. But I know the story of lord Vitthal today. This information is so nice. Thanks!!
Thanks for the information. This year in coming Nov. I will go to Pandharapura.
Thanks for the information. I am planning to go pandharapura
Thks
Girija
It is very good information of Lord Vitthal.
Thanks & regards,
M.N.Naiknaware,
Shreepur
It is very good Darshni and information of Lord Vitthal.
Thanks & regards,
Mahendra Purohit
Gujarat Surat
I am delighted with the information on this website on lord Vithoba.Compliments to you for compiling the info. I am regular visitor to Pandharpur during Aashadhi Yatra. Pls. try to provide info. on :
1) What could be the period of Pundalika.
2)River Bhima is called as Chandrabhaga in Pandharpur ,why so?
3)When can we have darshan of lord with all ornaments put on the body(as shown in photograph)
Thank you very much for the informative post and nice videos. May Lord Vittal show his divine grace on you…
Near Pandharpur, the river takes shape of chandrakor, hence it is named as chandrabhaga
EXCELLENT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LORD VITHOBA IS GIVEN.
Excellent information.
Please inform if I can download these videos. It will be great help.
Best regards,
Satish Keskar
Hello Satish,
We are glad the article has been helpful. You are free to download them or link them anytime. They are available on YouTube.
really…. a nice&an excellent searched with the real history&ithihasa of THE LORD PANDURANGA …………..
i want to know what are the yatras and when are they
I just thought of Pandharpur and wanted to see Vithal. On thinking of myself I was just blessed to see his abishek and Aarti. Thanks to God for providing such a technology as and when we think of HIM. Great job.
by meditation , we get more and more benefits in all ways
Very nicely written. Thanks a lot for the information and the video.
Dear Sachin
Thank you, We appreciate your kind words of encouragement
i want more amazing photos of lord vittoba.
i want to know more about lord vittal
its good that you are playing some role in making this world like before.
PANDHARPUR really a heaven on earth where lord VITHOBA stays. Where there are bhakts performing Bhajans and Kirtans god Vithoba definitely resides there and bless them. Without bhakti you can not imagine about God and in Pandharpur I saw the same people forgetting everything & doing bhajans.
I want to know the fastival time of vittahal.lease inform me< I will try to attend during festival.
Gouri Maitra
Hello Gouri,
The main events when most devotees go is during ashadi ekadashi and karthik ekadashi. We have these mentioned in our posts. You can make use of the search box within this blog and find out more details.
thankssssss
for giving us knowledge
i like pandurang and i like pandharpur
I need compete address and contact no. of padmavati temple in pandharpur,
please do the needful.
Thanks.
Manish
Very beautifully written. Thanks …
Just one thing, why Saint Gyneshwar Maharaj name is not mentioned?He is the one who started ‘Bhagvad Dharma’ with blessings of Shree Panduranga.
namaskar
tu dileli mahiti khupach chhan aahe ashich mahiti det raha
dhanywad
pandurang vithal jai hari vithal
please provid todays(i.e. 11-07-2011) photoes and events
Jai Vithobha. Please give the route to do this yatra from Hyderabad or Vijayawada of Andhrapradesh.
pundalik varda hari vitthal shri dyanadev tukarma pandharinath maharaj ki jay………
THIS IS WHAT WE CALLED OUR SANSKRUTI
BE PROUD FOR OUR RELIGION