History:

Warkari Temple – Pandharpur In Maharashtra is one of the most famous temples in India and has been visited by pilgrims since ages. The temple is dedicated to the God Lord Vithoba worshipped by the Warkaris of Western India. Every year during the festival of Ashadhi Ekadashi, lakhs of devotees visit Pandharpur to witness the celebrations and take part in a pilgrimage known as the Pandharpur Wari. The Wari starts from Alandi near Pune and goes on for about two weeks all the way to Pandharpur, crossing several small places, singing devotional songs and taking darshan of various temples along the way. It is said that all the gods and goddesses congregate here on this day and a grand aarti is offered to the deity with music and festivities. The Pandharpur Wari is one of the most popular festivals of Maharashtra and is celebrated with much fervor every year. It is one of the best temple in Maharashtra which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Warkari temple is dedicated to Lord Vitthal, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. 2. The temple is located in the quaint town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra, India. 3. The town is associated with the medieval Saint, Dnyaneshwar. 4. The Warkari temple is visited by millions of pilgrims every year. 5. The pilgrims embark on a pilgrimage to the temple known as the Pandharpur Yatra. 6. During the annual Ashadhi Ekadashi festival, the town of Pandharpur is enlivened with the presence of Lord Vitthal and his consort Rakhumai. 7. The Warkari Sampradaya also known as the Varkari Panth involves a unique type of devotional worship of Lord Vitthal. 8. The temple has undergone extensive renovation in recent years. 9. The Warkari tradition believes in a -caste-less society and is one of the most socially inclusive Hindu groupings. 10. Pandharpur is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra and is also known as the spiritual capital of the state. 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:

Warkari temples, such as Pandharpur in Maharashtra, practice a traditional form of devotion to Vitthal-Rukmini, which is rooted in the way of Thinking (Dnyan) of the Warkari Sampradaya. Warkaris — devotees of Vitthal-Rukmini — receive blessings by praying, singing and sharing their stories of devotion. They also recite sections of the ‘Dasabodh’ and the ‘Chandoba Chouti’. The ‘Dasabodh’ is a Hindu spiritual treatise composed by Indian saint and poet Saint Samarth Ramdas Swami In the seventeenth century. This devotion is also characterised by pilgrimage to the temple of Pandharpur. The temple of Pandharpur has two main pradakshina (circumambulatory) paths, which are called 'Vitthal Path' and 'Rukmini Path'. Before entering the temple, a Warkari visits the nearby Ganpati temple to take blessings of Lord Ganesha. This is followed by choosing one of the two pradakshina paths. On completion of the pradakshina, they enter the main temple and present an offering to Vitthal-Rukmini. The offerings vary according to the resources of the devotee such as flowers, fruits, coconuts, copper coins, clothes, jewelry, ornaments and lamps. After presenting their offerings, devotees perform a Parikrama of Vitthal-Rukmini’s seating area and chant five specific stotras composed by Saint Samarth Ramdas Swami. Finally, devotees perform Aarati and Namaskar to Vitthal-Rukmini, before concluding their worship. This most visited temple in Maharashtra

Opening Timing:

The Warkari Temple in Pandharpur, Maharashtra is open to devotees and visitors from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm every day. top temples in Maharashtra

How to reach:

The Warkari temple in Pandharpur is located in Maharashtra, India. The best way to reach the temple is via road. By Road: Pandharpur is well connected by road. It is located on National Highway 163, which is the main road leading to the city from Bangalore, Kolhapur, Satara and other cities in Maharashtra. It is also connected to other major cities in India such as Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Delhi. By Train: The closest train station to Pandharpur is Pandharpur Railway Station. It is connected to many cities in Maharashtra and other states. You can take an overnight train from Mumbai, Pune, or Bangalore and reach the station in the morning. By Air: The closest airport to Pandharpur is Pune International Airport, located around 200km away. You can take a cab or bus from the airport to reach the temple. famous temples in Maharashtra