History:

, Vithoba Temple which is located in the sacred town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra is one of the most visited shrines of the state. The temple is dedicated to the deity of ‘Vithoba’ who is also known as Lord Panduranga or Vitthala, an incarnation of Vishnu. The shrine is believed to have been built in the 14th century and is believed to have been founded by Pundalik, a devotee of Vishnu. It’s said that it was Pundalik who brought the deity of Vithoba from Dwaraka, Gujarat to Pandharpur and installed the idol in the temple. The Vithoba Temple is the centre of attraction for pilgrims and devotees as it witnesses the largest pilgrimage in the country. It is believed that the sacred ash from the Vithoba temple holds miraculous healing powers and it is collected by thousands of devotees during the Holy Festival of Shirshak Prabodhini Ekadashi. The deity of Vithoba is known to be particularly compassionate towards devotees and it’s believed that no prayer goes unanswered here. There are many interesting stories associated with the Vithoba Temple making it one of the most revered shrines in the country. It is one of the best temple in Maharashtra which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Vithoba Temple, also called Vitthal Temple or Panduranga temple, is an important place of worship for Hindus located in the temple town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra, India. 2. The temple is dedicated to the deity Vithoba, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. 3. It was built by the Yadava Dynasty ruler Mahadeva during the 13th century. 4. The temple has four entrances and a large inner shrine inside which is the icon of Vithoba. 5. Several festivals are celebrated at the temple, with the annual 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' and 'Karthik Ekadashi' being the most important. 6. The temple is a major pilgrimage destination for devotees of Vithoba, and thousands of people from around the country visit the temple every year. 7. The temple is surrounded by the Vitthala rukmini mandir, a small temple dedicated to Rukmini. 8. Inside the main temple complex, there is a wall fresco depicting the story of Lord Pundalik and Vithoba. 9. The Vithoba Temple is surrounded by many other temples and shrines dedicated to other gods and goddesses. 10. The historic town of Pandharpur is also known as the "Dwarka of the South" and was built in the 3rd century. Here are some facts about the Maharashtra temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Maharashtra

Worship Method:

Vithoba Temple in Pandharpur is one of the most important religious sites in Maharashtra. Worshippers at the temple are mainly Yadavs, who come from all over Maharashtra. The main ritual worship (puja) is conducted by Pandharpuri Brahmins. Puja starts with Lord Vithoba, the temple deity, being adorned with flower garlands and sandalwood paste. Other offerings are made like fruits, flowers, incense, and camphor. These are offered to five apects of the Lord Vithoba, known as ‘Panchamukhi Vithoba’, which are Vithoba, Narayan, Panduranga, Venkatesha and Srinath. After the puja, devotees sing 'abhangas', a form of presenting praise to the Lord. After the prayer is complete, the devotees do some miracles in their devotion, such as offering garland of small pitchers (ghadas) to the idol. Finally the devotees take the blessing of the Lord and take turns in offering prasad, foodstuffs that sanctified by the Lord. This most visited temple in Maharashtra

Opening Timing:

The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day. The temple remains closed on special occasions such as Hindu festivals. top temples in Maharashtra

How to reach:

By Air: The nearest airport to Vithoba temple in Pandharpur is at Pune, located about 223 km away. By Train: Pandharpur, the nearest railway station to the temple, is well connected to major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmadnagar and Solapur. By Road: Vithoba temple can be easily reached by travelling on the bus from Pandharpur, which is located 20 km away. Buses from local towns such as Satara, Solapur and Kolhapur also ply to Pandharpur. You can also drive down from Pune or Mumbai to reach the temple. famous temples in Maharashtra