||Pandhari’s significance and relevance ||

• Pandharpur Mahatmya (importance) *

The pauranik (mythological) relevance and importance of Pandharpur Pandharinath or Vitthal is not God of only Varkari culture in Maharashtra but is God of many Vaishnava its from places like Karnataka, Andra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Utter Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh etc, Vitthal is not confined only to the Marathi culture. Many saints around the country have mentioned the importance of devotion of this God Vitthal. The ancient tradition of Shri Vitthala’s worship could be traced back to the Hindu philosophical scripture like Upanishad. There is story of King Janshruti in 4th chapter of Chandogya Upanishad. Once he listened whisperings of swans while resting under a starry sky. These flying swans were some seers. One swan praised the beauty of moonlight while the other said the fame of king Janshruti is more comforting than the moonlight. Other swan said that there was a person greater than King Janshruti whose name was Raikava. He was an owner and driver of a bullock cart but was an enlightened person. King Janshruti after listening this fact started a search for Raikava. In the last he found Raikava in Kashmir. King Janshruti had mentioned about his visit to Pandharpur when he was on the way to search for Raikva.

' Tatto nivritta ayatah pashyanbhimarathitate| Dvibhujan vitthalam vishnum bhuktimuktipradayakam| Yatra bhimarthitire bindumadhava sandnitah| Harih sa vartate$dyapi bhuktimuktiprado nrunam ||’

                               Padyapu.uttarkhand geeta 6th chapter-mahatmya-                                             माहात्म्य | Shlok 56,57,58,                                                                   

Meaning - फhe started search of the Raikava and arrived on the bank of river Bhima. On the bank of river Bhima he arrived the place where the God 'Vitthal' who is Vishnu’s reincarnation only. This pilgrimage is known as Bindutirth and God of this place is known Bindumadhav. There the God who gives the blessings of material and spiritual prosperity still lives. There are other three type’s ancient scriptures which elaborate in the importance of Lord Vitthal.

1)Padmapuran 2)Skandapuran 3) Vishnupuran

Varahsanhita in Paddyapuran explains the significance of God Pandurang or Vitthal. This is comprised of 32 chapters (adhyayas).This is a kind of dialogue between Sootarishi and his followers. There is a reference that it was first narrated by Lord Shankar to Devi Parvati. Then Rishi Narad told that to Shesh. Pandurang mahatmya throws light on how Pandurang/Vitthal came in Pandharpur. It tells about the history and significance of Lord Vitthal’s standing on brick in Pandharpur. How river Bhima originated? It also informs about the various God and deities in Pandharpur. Pandharpur is a sort of design in which Lord Vitthal is situated at the center. Other centers are at the point of the triangle. Pandharpur is as holy as Kashi, Neera Narasingpur is as Prayag and Korti or Vishnupad is like Gaya. So the blessings of the pilgrimage of these three places could be gained by visiting Pandharpur. The rituals of Kashiyatra and Gayashraddha could be performed here. All this types of secrets are mentioned in this Varahsanhita of Paddyapuran.

The second 'Pandurang mahatmya' appears in Skandapuran’s Uttarsanhita which is comprised of 12 chapters. It’s verses are around 813. Here Skanda after having failed to answer the questions asked by some Rishis went to holy mountain Kailash where Lord Shankara dwells. Shankara was also asked the same question by Parvati. Lord Shankara was just about to answer Parvati’s question, Skanda along with Rishis reached there and asked the same to Lord Shankara.

'Then Lord Shankara explained the significance of Pandurang in Pandurang Mahatmya to all of them The question was which is the best holy place?

‘Pushkara trigunam punyam kedarat shadgunam bhavet | Varanashyad dashagunam anantam shrigireravi || (’Skandpuran Pandurang mahatmya 2/5.

Meaning- This place is spiritually fruitful three times more than Pushkar, six times more than Kedarnath, ten times more than Varanashi and many more times than Shrishaila. Here yatra, vari and alams giving have got importance. There are four external and four internal gates of this place. One should enter in city through these gates only and bow the head to the deity of these respected gates. At the internal gate there is Goddess Sarasvati to the east, Siddheshvar of Machanoor to the south, Bhuvaneshvary to the west and Mahishasoormardini to the north. At the external gates there are Trivikarms of Ter to the east, Koteshvar of Krishnatir Shorpalaya Kshetra to the south, Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur to the west, and Narsinha of Neeranarasinhapur. Kshetre hyasmin mahavishnuh sarvadeottamah:| Aaste yogishvarodyapi shktibhirnavabhih saha | Vimalotkarshini dnyana kriya yoga tathaivacha | Pravi satya tatheshananugraha cheti shktaya:|’ (Skanda Purana. Panduranga Mahatmya) 7/6,7,8

Meaning- In this place the greatest of all Lord Yogishvara, Mahavishnu resides here with His nine divine powers. Those nine powers are named Vimala, Uttkarshani, Dyan, Kriya, Yoga, Pavi, Satya, Eshana, Anugraha..

In Front of Pandurang idol there is Garud (eagle), Brhama with Sanakadika are on the right of it, eleven Rudras with Lord Shankara are on the left of it. indra and all other deities are behind the idol and all these are praising Lord Pandurang. This ancient scripture elaborates on the significance and benefits of various services performed in the temple such as taking shelter in the shadow of the temple, Pandurang darshan saying praise of the name of Pandurang in front of him, dance in the rangshala, visiting temple for darshan at the time of dhuparti, cleaning the area of the temple etc. The scripture throws light on the significance Kundal Tirtha and Padma Tirtha in Pandharpur.. Dhaumya Rishi and Udhishtir with all his brothers visited this holy place, Balram also came and served the Lord. Rukmini served the Lord in Pandharpur and gave birth to her son Pradyumna.. Effect of river Bhima its arrival in Pandhari, Pandhari’s guardian Shri Bhairava, the meditation of devotee named Muktakeshi and her acceptance by God all these details are mentioned in this scripture.
The third ‘Pandurang Mahatmya’ appears in Vishnudharmakathan Chapter of Vishnu Puran. It contains six chapters of 186 Verses. This is dialogue between Vasishta Rishi and Trit Rishi. Vasishta is narrating it. This scripture narrates the story of Pundalik in details. This makes it clear that Lord Arrived here to meet Pundalik and Brahma gifted Pundalik with Shrivigraha.

Kshetreshu teertheshvath daivateshu bhakteshu sarveshvuha vai varishtam| Shrioaundarinka kil chandrabhaga shri vitthaloyam munupundarikah||

Meaning- Shri Pandhari pilgrim is the most sacred among all, in all rivers the holiest river is the Chandrabhaga, in all Lords Shri Vitthal is the best and in all devotees Bhakt Pundalik is the best. Saint Tukaram interprets this verse properly in his spiritual poems. -

Avaghachi teerthe ghaali eka vela/ chandrabhaga dola dekhiyeliya || Avaghachi pape geli digantari/ vaikuntha pandhari dekhiyiliya|| Avaghiya santa eka vela bheti/ pundalika drishti dekhaliya || Tuka mhane janma alyache sar thak/ vitthalachi eka dekhaliya ||

In this abhang Saint Tukaram praised the significance of Pandharpur. use this info and put it in the header menu this page must be like the web pages before same color , font n make it

||VARI|| https://www.vitthalrukminimandir.org/images/vari.jpg

  VARI means regular visiting of particular (religious) place. Vari of Pandharpur means to walk from one’s own house to Pandharpur for Lord and return back to house. The person who goes on this type of vari pilgrimage of pilgrim Pandharpur is called a Varkari (the follower of the pilgrimage). The Varkari goes on this vari for several times in a year Varkari follows particular spiritual and moral code of conduct which is way of a life for him. He remains satisfied in whatever life condition he is in believing that the Lord has chosen that for him. He keeps his low level of consumption believing that Lord is taking care of him. He rather looks after others who are really needy in terms of food, shelter, thirst and cloths believing that he is serving Lord’s purpose. Any woman around is treated as a mother of his own, no hatred of any living being is carried because he believes that all are the different forms of the one Lord only. Varkari always follows the erudite and spiritual companion of saints so that he can get guidance of peaceful life; he also follows the regular recitation of Shrimadbhagavdagita for spiritual progression. He always remembers the Lord during all his activities and follows a disciplined family life so that he can achieve spiritual emancipation. In addition to this he remains a lifetime devotee of Lord Vitthal. This is how the life of any Varkari is defined.

  अनेक The conglomeration of many Varkari is conventionally called Dindi. They make group to go on Vari in which they enjoy music and dance to express the feeling of devotion to Lord Vitthal.  

  In the Marathi month of Ashadh shukla ekadashi many such Dindis come from almost every village, town and city of the Maharashtra to Pandharpur to visit the Lord Pandurang and express their devotion to him. Dindis strictly follow the pattern of walking only to come to meet the Lord in Pandharpur that is why they take fifteen to twenty days to reach in Pandharpur. It becomes a kind of spiritual celebration all over Maharashtra.

  This tradition of Vari and Dindi is quite old. Father of Saint Dnyaneshvar used to go on Vari pilgrimage. In ancient time public transport system was not available, so groups of people used to go to Pandharpur by walking. However, a proper disciplining of Vari pilgrimage was brought about by Haibatbaba Araphalkar, a knight of Shinde dynasty of Gwalior. He started the tradition of taking the paduka (sleepers) of Saint Dnyaneshvar to Pandharpur along with Dindi. Saint Tukaram was also a Varkari. His son is known to have started the tradition of taking paduka of Saint Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram to Pandharpur in Dindi around AD 1685. These are two major traditions of Vari and Dindi.

मुMain four Seasons of pilgrimage (vari)

1. 1. Chaitri Yatra https://www.vitthalrukminimandir.org/images/Dindi-Pakhavaj.jpg

2. Chaitra is the first month of Hindu calendar. Chaitra shudha ekadashi (eleventh day in month) is called as kamda ekadashi. On this day the first pilgrimage in the year is held at Pandharpur. Many varkari devotees gather in Pandharpur to take darshan of Lord Vitthal.

3. Ashadhi Yatra https://www.vitthalrukminimandir.org/images/Chandrabhaga2.jpg ;

4. another season of pilgrimage is widely known as Ashadhi Ekadashi. This pilgrimage is of supreme importance for devotees. On this time biggest numbers of varkari gather in Pandharpur. This ekadhashi is known as Devashayani Ekadashi. It is believed that the Lord Vitthal starts His sleep from this day. The holy period of Chaturmas begins from this day. During this period devotees spend as much time as possiable in worshipping Lord Vitthal. 2) There is verse in marathi. "Ashadhi kartiki visaru naka maja / sangatase guja pandurang ॥ " 2) During the period of Aashadhi and Kartiki the temple remains open to all devotees for twenty four hours of the day. The Dindi of Saint Dnyaneshvar and Saint Tukarm along with thousands of other Dindis come to Pandharpur followed by millions of devotees. All Dindis from all over Maharashtra come together in Santanagar in Village Vakhari. All these Dindis meet each other on the day of Ashadh Shudha Dashami, in the evening of the same day all devotees and their respective Dindis slowly moves towards Pandharpur. After reaching there they take holy bath in river Chandrabhaga and finish the Pradakshina(a holy peripheral walk of town Pandharpur).

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5. ‘Pundalika varda harivitthal’ and jaya jaya ramkrishna hari’ reverberate all over Pandharpur. In the afternoon of the Ekadashi the procession of idols of the Lord Vitthal and Rukmini with Shri Radharani starts in a specially designed chariot. This procession goes by the rout of pradakshina marg, this entire celebration comes to an end on the day of Ashad Shudh Paurnima (full moon day) which is also known as Gopalkala. There is a place known as Gopalpura in Pandharpur where all Dindis come together once again and distributed among all attendees.

6. Kartiki Ytra

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7. Kartik Yatra is celebrated on Shudha Ekadhashi of month Kartik. It is believed Lord Vitthal gets up from His sleep on this day. As a part of the celebration there are Kirtan and Bhajan all the places on the shores of the river Chandrabhaga. Devotees crowd there on previous day and stay awake whole night. Again the pilgrimages disburse after Gopalkala at Gopalpur on the day of fulmoonlight (Purnima).

8. Maghi Yatra

   ; 4)This Yatra is held in Shudh Ekadashi of month of Magh. This Ekashashi is known as Jaya Ekadashi. Entire atmosphere of the Pandharpur Dissolved into devotional mood on this day also like other days. now add this into the header menu in the vari section use same fonts same color make a similar page for it also add those images accordingly