History:

is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vitthal also known as Vithoba and his consort Rakhumai located in the Pandharpur town in the state of Maharashtra. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the followers of Vaishnavism and has one of the biggest annual temple fairs, the Pandharpur Wari, in India. The temple is part of a complex of around 20 temples of various sizes belonging to Varkari tradition and was built in the 13th century. It is one of the best temple in Maharashtra which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Vitthal Rukmini temple in Pandharpur, Maharashtra is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage centres of the state. 2. It is dedicated to Lord Vitthal, one of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and his consort Rukmini (an avatar of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity). 3. The temple is situated on the banks of the holy Chandrabhaga River and the surrounding vastness of the Deccan plateau. 4. The ancient shrine was constructed in the 13th century by the winds of the Yadav dynasty. 5. The architectural style of the temple consists of the traditional Nagara style of Hindu temples and has many intricately carved statues and sculptures that adorn the walls and pillars of this grand structure. 6. The main entrance hall of the temple is a covered pavilion with sixteen supporting pillars and each corner has a large fortified drum that was used to announce the approach of Divine energy. 7. The most unique feature of the temple is the four ornamental entrances that are named after four famous saints of the Bhakti period, who created temples of Vitthal in the nearby villages. 8. There is a main temple called Sri Vitthal which stands tall amidst the 23 other temples spread across the complex. 9. The temple is also famous for the religious ceremonies which include the Rakshaban or protective chain of an eight-day fair held every year in June-July. 10. During the month of Aashadha (May-June), thousands of devotees gather here to take part in the festival of Vitthal Rukmini. 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:

The temple of Vitthal and Rukmini are temples dedicated to the god Vishnu and his wife, Rukmini, located in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. The temple has a long history, said to have been founded in 1271 CE by Chatrapati Ram Raja and further expanded in the 15th century by Shri Narayan Maharaj. The temple is known for its elaborate processional deity worship with Dwarkamai (the temple's inner sanctum) and its lavish festive celebrations throughout the year. Mornings begin early in the morning with worship in the form of Nivedan (offering of puja items) to the deities. Abhishek is performed by priests, while devotees wait outside and watch the deity wearing a garland of flowers is bathed in holy waters from the nearby Bhimashankara River. After Abhishek, the deities are dressed in expensive clothes and adorned with jewelry. The main form of worship offered in the temple is the singing of Bhajans (devotional songs). These are a type of hymns that give praise to the gods and seek their protection through prayer. In addition to the singing of Bhajans, reciting of holy texts such as the Bhagavad Gita is also carried out. The temple is a popular destination for pilgrims from all over India, attracting thousands of devotees throughout the year. Every year, two huge festivities, called Waari, are celebrated. These are the Ashadhi Ekadashi in July and the Kartiki Ekadashi in October. During the celebrations, the deities of Vitthal and Rukmini (in a palanquin) are taken in a colorful procession, accompanied by drums, bells, and other traditional instruments through the city of Pandharpur. Finally, devotees offer their prayers and offerings such as grains, flowers, and clothes. After offering their prayers, the devotees take darshan (viewing) of the deities in their sanctum and pay their respects. This most visited temple in Maharashtra

Opening Timing:

The Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur, Maharashtra is open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm every day. top temples in Maharashtra

How to reach:

Air: The closest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport located in Mumbai. It is approximately 285 km from Pandharpur and can be reached via NH48 and later NH66 in about 6hrs. Rail: The closest railhead to Pandharpur is Solapur Junction which is about 48 km away from the town. Pandharpur itself is connected to other major cities of the country via regular trains. Road: Pandharpur is a major city in Solapur district and is well connected via roads to other major cities like Solapur, Mumbai, Pune, and Satara, etc. State-run buses are available from Shivajinagar Bus Terminal (Pune), Shivaji Nagar Bus Station (Solapur) and Dadar Bus Station (Mumbai) to Pandharpur. Taxis are available from the nearest cities at a reasonable rate. famous temples in Maharashtra