The great Pandharpur Yatra
One cannot stay in Maharashtra and not know about Vittala or the Pandharpur Yatra. Everyone talks about it and asks people to welcome the devotees who take up this arduous trek to their home.
This is the least we can do for the ardent devotees is something they say and do ask them to offer a simple prayer fir them too. The entire home and area around the devotees is transformed into a mini pilgrim spot too. This is one of the most spiritual scenes of all in the inclusive, spiritual land of Maharashtra. This state has always maintained a unique spiritual ethos of its own and carved a special place for itself in India and all over the world as a result, thereby speaking a lot about the unique Maharashtrian ethos of being open to all. There are many who plan their trip around this time to see the devotion shown by the devotees. This is done by both Maharashtrians and non Maharastrians.
There is indeed something unique about Maharashtra and this can be seen here with young women carying babies and older people helping them in handling the child. This again is done without seeing who the person is requiring help and hence epitomizes the journey of faith and true devotion to the Lord . People of all castes, creeds and even faiths take part here as they view this as a unique yatra of faith.There are no disagreementd, arguments throughout the long trek as it is after all a trek of bhakti and oneness.
This Yatra is renowned for the Vitthal Temple (also known as Vithoba Temple), one of the most sacred sites in the Varkari tradition, a devotional movement dedicated to Lord Vitthal (a form of Lord Krishna).
Key Highlights of Pandharpur:
Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple
It is a major pilgrimage site, especially for followers of the Bhakti movement like Sant Tukaram, Sant Dnyaneshwar, and Sant Namdev.
Varkari Pilgrimage (Wari)
Every year, lakhs of devotees (Varkaris) undertake a pilgrimage (Dindi Yatra) to Pandharpur during Ashadhi Ekadashi (June–July) and Kartiki Ekadashi (November–December).
Chandrabhaga River (Bhima River)
A dip is taken here
Other Temples & Attractions
Pundalik Temple is dedicated to the devotee who brought Vitthal to Pandharpur)
Sant Tukaram Maharaj Temple (This is in Dehu, near Pune, but closely linked to Pandharpur)
Nivrutti Nath Temple that is (associated with Sant Dnyaneshwar's brother)
Best Time to Visit:
June–July (Ashadhi Ekadashi) – The biggest festival with massive processions.
November–December (Kartiki Ekadashi) – Another major pilgrimage period.
Essentially, this is a symbol of Maharashtra's deep-rooted Bhakti tradition.
This is one of the unique places that showcases the great unity and oneness of our great land. Maharashtrians are an example of this ethos that shows us we all are one and the divine looks after all of us in his own way welcoming us to all his abodes and manifestations. We all need to learn this from each other to understand true spirituality like the ancient spiritual greats have done.
By Jamuna Rangachari
