Vithoba temple, Pandharpur

Vithoba temple, Pandharpur is the main centre of worship for the Hindu deity Vithoba, believed to be a local form of god Krishna or Vishnu and his consort Rakhumai. It is the most visited temple in Maharastra. The warkaris start marching from their homes to the temple of Pandharpur in groups called Dindi to reach on Aashadhi ekadashi and Kartiki ekadashi. A dip in the holy river Chandrabhaga on whose banks Pandharpur resides, is believed to have power to wash all sins.

Initially all the devotes were allowed to touch the feet of the idol of Vithoba, but due to many years of numerous devotes the stone at the Lord’s feet chiseled. So as a precautionary measure, none of the devotees are allowed to touch the idol. Only priests are allowed to conduct rituals and touch the idol.

Legend of Pundalik

The saga of Pundalik is one of the most important "Mahima" legends associated with Vithoba. How Vithoba came to Pandharpur is a story in which a man called Pundalik plays an important part. Pundalik was a devoted son to his parents Janudev and Satyavati. They lived in a forest called Dandirvan. But after his wedding, Pundalik began ill-treating his parents. Tired with their son’s misbehaviour and ill treatment, the elderly couple decided to leave for Kashi. Legend holds that people who die in the city of Kashi attain salvation and emancipation from the cycle of birth and death, and so, many pious Hindus in bygone era would relocate to Kashi as their end drew near.

However, the elderly couple were not destined to escape their sufferings so easily. Upon hearing of their plans, Pundalik's wife decided to join them and make a pilgrimage. Pundalik and she then joined the same group of pilgrims on horseback. The ill treatment of the old couple continued at the hands of Pundalik. While the youthful son and his wife rode on horseback, the frail old couple walked in bad weather. Pundalik even made his old parents work towards making his own journey comfortable. Every evening when the party camped for the night, the son forced his parents to groom the horses and do other jobs.

On the way to Kashi, the group reached the ashram (hermitage) of a pious and venerable sage named Kukkutswami. Being tired from the journey, they decided to spend a few days there. That night, when all were asleep, Pundalik by chance lay awake. He witnessed a remarkable vision. Just before dawn, he saw a group of beautiful, young women, dressed in dirty clothes, enter the ashram, clean the floor, fetch water and wash the venerable sage’s clothes. After they finished their chores, they went to the prayer-room of the hermitage. When they reappeared after prayer, their clothes were spotlessly clean. Then, they vanished as inexplicably as they had appeared.

Pundalik did not feel moved to raise an alarm; on the other hand, he felt a deep sense of peace as he witnesses this scene. It remained on his mind the whole day, and he resolved upon remaining awake the next night, to be sure that what he had witnessed was not merely a dream. This time however, Pundalik was very curious. He approached the beautiful women and asked him them on who they were.

They said, they were the Ganga, Yamuna and other holy rivers of India in which were revered for their holiness and pilgrims thronged to have a dip in their holy waters to wash away their sins. The holy rivers explained that their clothes were dirty and unclean due to the sins of the bathing pilgrims."But O Pundalik, you, with your ill-treatment of your parents, are the greatest sinner of them all! "

This incident completely shocked Pundalik and got a transformation in him. He realized his mis- deeds and became devoted to his parents. He made all efforts to make his parents comfortable. And left no stone unturned to make his parents happy, even at the cost of his own comfort.

They say, devotion in any form reaches God immediately. Seeing this outmost devotion of Pundalik to his parents , Lord Vishnu was very pleased. God was so happy with him that He wanted to bless Pundalik immediately, so he left from Vaikuntha (Lord Vishnu’s abode) for bhoolok (Earth)and Pundalik’s ashram.

Lord knocked Pundalik’s door. At that time Pundalik was serving his parents food and was busy. Pundalik heard the door knock and realized it was God who had come to see him. But such was his devotion to his parents, he wanted to complete his duties and only then attend to the visitor, irrespective of whether it was even God at his doorstep. Pundalik threw a brick outside for God to stand on and wait for him until he finishes attending to his parents.

Seeing this devotion & commitment to his parents he was extremely impressed. And the ever-loving God waited for his devotee. When Pundalik came out and begged God's pardon, Lord Vishnu replied that far from being displeased, he was pleased with his love for his parents and granted a boon to him. Pundalik requested God to stay back on Earth and bless all his numerous devotees. Lord agreed to stay back as Vithoba, or God who stood upon a brick. Along with Vithoba, Rakhumai (Mother Rukmini) is also worshipped.

A temple was built at the place where Lord Vishnu stood on the brick.

Namdeva chi payari

One interesting tale is also of the first step in the temple called “Namdev chi payari” (step of Namdev). The child Namdev was always an ardent devotee of Vithoba. One day his mother asked him to complete the ritual of “naivedya” (any food made in the house is first offered to God, the ritual comprises placing the offering plate before the idol and sprinkling water around the plate and with a prayer to God). Namdev was pleased to do “naivedya” . After the ritual he waited for God to appear and take the offering. But God did not appear. He was disheartened. He kept praying and requested God to come in person and accept the offering. The child was so unhappy with the non-appearance of God, he started banging his head at the feet of God and begging him to come and take the offering. Seeing the utmost devotion and innocence of a child, God was pleased. He appeared and ate the offering and blessed Namdev. The adult Namdev when blessed by God asked for being present in the "first step" in God’s temple, so that he could be blessed with the touch of infinite number of devotees who would be able to have “darshan” (view) of God. Thus, the first step in the temple at Pandharpur is called “namdev chi payari”.

Movement against Untouchability

In the pre-1947 period untouchables were not allowed to enter the temples, against this communal attitude Gandhian freedom fighter Sane Guruji went on to fast-unto-death, supported by others of the Gandhian movement. He succeeded in getting temple doors opened for all worshipping communities.