Road Routes Map Pandharpur Solapur District

Map of Road Routes toVithoba Temple Pandharpur

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Solapur District Map showing Road and Rail Routes

Live Online Telecast Vithoba Temple Pandharpur Puja Aartis

The following video has been taken from You Tube. It shows the Vithoba Temple Aartis Puja Live from Pandharpur, Maharashtra.

Vithoba Temple Pandharpur Aarti Puja Timings and How To Reach

Pandharpur is considered to be the spriritual capital of Maharashtra due to its atmosphere of reverence created by the presence of the Vithoba Temple. The holy town of Pandharpur is located along the Chandrabhaga river in Solapur District. It is also known as the Kuldaivat of Maharashtra and as the Southern Kashi of India.

As per historical records, the Pandharpur temple complex has been renovated a number of times. As per these records, one of the royal rulers of the Shaliwahana Dynastry renovated Pandharpur in 83 A.D. The tradition of the paduka procession (pilgrims walking barefoot) with palanquins of the idols is said to have begun in 1296 A.D.

Lord Vithoba Legends

Vithoba is considered to be a manifestation of Lord Vishnu by the Vishnuvites; a manifestation of Surya by devotees who worship the Sun; a manifestation of Avalokiteshwara by Buddhist devotees; and a manifestation of Neminath by the Jain community followers. The word Vitthala is said to be derived from the Marathi word vittu, meaning brick. As the legend goes, a devotee by the name of Pundalik was engaged in serving his parents when Lord Vishnu visited his home. Pundalik was annoyed at being disturbed, and is said to have picked up a brick and thrown it outside for Lord Vishnu to stand on and wait. Rather than getting angry, Lord Vishnu was happy to see Pundalik’s caring and devotion towards his parents. Hence, Lord Vishnu granted Pundalik a boon, on which Pundalik requested the Lord for his eternal presence. It was thus that Lord Vishnu took up permanent residence at Pandharpur. Even today, the idol of Lord Vithoba is always shown as standing on a brick.

Vithoba Temple Pandharpur Maharashtra

The Shri Vitthal Mandir, known simply as Vithoba Temple, is located on a small hill and enclosed by high stone walls. The temple’s architecture comprises of low domes and high pinnacles. The temple has 8 gates: 1 on the south side; 1 on the west side; 3 on the north side; and 3 on the east side. The Mahadwar (main gate) of the temple is on the eastern side. It is here that the Namdeo chi Payari (step named after Namdeo) is located. One the way up, you will see a small idol of Lord Ganesha in one of the niches of the side wall. The first step of the flight of 11 steps is called Namdeo chi Payari in reference to a devotee named Namdeo. As the story goes, the child Namdeo once made holy offerings to God and pleaded with God to come in person to accept the offerings. When, after even a long time, God did not make an appearance, Namdeo kept banging his head at God’s feet. God subsequently appeared and ate the offerings, blessing Namdeo and granting him a boon. Namdeo requested that he should always be present in the very first step of the temple, so that when devotees came to seek God’s darshan, Namdeo, in the first step, would also be blessed with the touch of the devotees’ feet.

The temple complex houses the Mandap where the shrines of Garuda and Hanuman are located. Here there are also 2 tall Deepmalas, each rising to about 10meters. One of the interesting features is the Sola-Khambi, which rests on 16 stone pillars, one of which is called the Garud Khamb – this is covered with silver sheets and has a gold base. Access to the Sola-Khambi is from the Sabhamandapa. On the northern side are individual rooms, each dedicated to various idols and mythological legendary personalities, such as Dattatreya, Ram-Laxman, Kalbhairav, etc.[reference: Temples of Maharashtra by Gopal Krishna Kanhere]

You must also take note of the lovely entrance leading to the Chou-Khambi (four pillared structure) and the silver arch which leads to the main Vitthal shrine. From the chowkhambhi hall one is let into the shrine or Gabhara, a small room having a platform of 3 ft. height with a silver canopy above. On this platform stands the idol of Shri Vithoba which attracts millions of devotees every year. The idol is called by different names: Vithoba, Pandurang, Pandhari, Vithal, or Vithalnath.

Other temples within the Pandharpur temple complex include the temple of Rukmini (consort of Vithoba) which is behind the Vithoba temple in the north east corner of the temple, facing east. It has a Gabhara, entry / exit, outer hall and a sabha mandap.

You can also visit the Samadhi Shikara of Pundalik, said to be the most faithful devotee of Lord Vitthal.

Vithoba Temple Complex Tourist Attractions

- Namdev Payari

- Ganesh Mandir

- Datta Mandir

- Garud Mandir

- Maruti Mandir

- Chowrangee Devi Mandir

- Garud Khamb

- Narsimha Mandir

- Ek-mukh Dattatraya Mandir

- Rameshwar Lingam Mandir

- Kala Bahirav Mandir

- Laxmi-Narayan Mandir

- Kashi-Vishwanath Mandir

- Satya-Bhama Mandir

- Radhika Mandir

- Siddhi-Vinayak Mandir

- Mahalakshmi Mandir

- Venkateshwar Mandir

- Kanhopatra Mandir

- Ambabai Mandir

- Shani-Dev Mandir

- Nagnath Mandir

- Guptaling Mandir

- Khandoba Mandir

Vithoba Temple Aarti Puja Timings

1.  Vithoba Temple Door Opening Time: 4.00 a.m.

2.  Vithoba Temple Kakada Aarti: 4.30a.m.  to 05.00 a.m.

3.  Vithoba Temple Nitya Puja (regular Puja): 5.00 a.m to 06.00.a.m.

4.  Vithoba Temple Mahapuja by devotees: 7.00 a.m. to 08.00.a.m.

5.  Vithoba Temple Maha Naivedya: 11.00 a.m. to 11.15 a.m.

6.  Vithoba Temple Pshakh (dressing): 4.30p.m. to 05.00 p.m.

7.  Vithoba Temple Dhoop Aarati:7.00p.m. to 07.30 p.m.

8.  Vithoba Temple Padya pooja: 10.00p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

9.  Vithoba Temple Shejarati: 11.00 p.m.

Learn Lyrics of Vithoba Aaartis in Marathi

How to Reach Pandharpur

* How to Reach Vithoba Temple Pandharpur By Air: the nearest airport is Pune (204kms). Taxi cabs are available from Pune to Pandharpur (approx. fare is Rs 2500/-).

* How to Reach Vithoba Temple Pandharpur By Train: The Pandharpur Railway Station falls on the Miraj-Kurduwadi-Latur railway track.

Trains arrivals timings at Pandharpur Railway Station

Trains departure timings from Pandharpur Railway Station

* How to Reach Vithoba Temple Pandharpur By Bus: You can board State Transport public buses from Pune and Solapur.

* How to Reach Vithoba Temple Pandharpur By Taxi: Taxis are available on hire from Solapur to Pandharpur. Taxi fare is approx. Rs 1,000/-.

* How to Reach Vithoba Temple Pandharpur By Car: Best road route is the Pune-Pandharpur Road Route:
Pune - Hadpsar - Indapur - here, take a right turn to Akluj - Pandharpur

Detailed Map of National Highway Road Routes to Vithoba Temple Pandharpur

Where to stay in Pandharpur

Accommodations in Pandharpur are not heavy on your wallet, but you will have to hunt around for clean accommodations. You can stay at the MTDC lodgings (minimum 2 people are allowed; a single individual is unlikely to get a room). MTDC Pandharpur Phone Number: 02186-224527, 223312. Alternatively, you can stay at one of the many maths in the town, such as Gajanan Math, Pandharpur (tariff is only Rs.150/-) as recommended in a review (see link at end of this blog post). Ideally, you should stay in comfortable lodgings at Pune and hire a private vehicle or taxi to take you to Pandharpur.

Pandharpur General Tourist Information and Tourist Tips

* Pincode: 413304

* STD code: 021862

* Mobile phones, cameras and handbags (not even a lady's handbag) are not allowed inside the temple. You will have to leave all these possessions at the counter.

* The priests will charge you a large amount (Rs.2000/- +) if you wish to avoid the queue and take a quick darshan!! In fact, most of the priests are simply out to make money. You literally have to bribe them to get darshan and they also insist on taking money for a giving you coconuts and prasad. It is also very difficult to get any Special VIP darshan pass without giving a bribe.

* Avoid so-called helpful people who will tell you where to get darshan passes, where to park, which places to visit in town, etc. They are just touts out to make money.

* If you wish to avoid the serpentine queues, you can have a Mukh Darshan where you can have the darshan of Lord Vithoba from a distance of 20 feet. 

* The public toilet near the temple is said to by unhygienic. Avoid.

If are visiting Vithoba Temple Pandharpur, please do leave your comments and Pandharpur travellers tips below. It would greatly help others. Thanks!

Diwali Prepaid Gift Cards

For the Diwali Festival, a number of banks in India have introduced unique pre-paid gift cards. Instead of the usual Diwali boxes of dry fruits, chocolate boxes, or cash, you can gift a prepaid gift card. In fact, Diwali prepaid gift cards are wonderful bhau-bheej gifts to give your sister on Bhau Bheej Day.

 

 

 

How to Gift a Diwali Prepaid Gift Card and How it Works

1. Purchase a prepaid gift card for a fixed amount. This varies from one bank to another and ranges between a minimum of Rs. 500/- to a maximum of Rs.50,000/-.


2. The prepaid gift card can be used in wider variety of places than a gift voucher.

3. The prepaid gift card can be redeemed online.

4. The prepaid gift card need not be redeemed at one go, at one time. That is, the amount need not be fully used all at one time. It can be used in installments over a period of time.

Where to Buy Diwali Prepaid Gift Cards:
* State Bank of India
* HDFC Bank
* Axis Bank
* Central Bank of India

Before buying  a Diwali Prepaid  Gift Card confirm:
(1) where all it can be used;
(2) whether the card needs to be used at one time or can be used in phases (in installments;
(3) till what date the card needs to be used (maturity date).

Diwali Bhau Bheej Tika Ceremony Procedure

The fifth day of the Diwali Festival is celebrated as Bhau Bheej (the word Bhau means brother and Biji means sister). It is also referred to as Bhai Dooj, the word dhooj referring to the second day after the new moon in the Hindu month of Kartika. In Maharashtra, Bhau Bheej is considered a major auspicious day and hence those who do not have brothers worship Darpanagayesha, the moon God. This festival is known as Bhai Bij in Gujarat, Bhai Phota in Bengal, and Bhai-Tika in Nepal.

Rangoli design of Bhau Bheej (18x17 dots)
[Design by Hemchandra Shankar Raje, Navrangavali rangoli design book]

Like most festive days, Diwali Bhau Bheej too has a mythological legend behind it.

Legend of Bhau Bheej: The most common Hindu mythological legend of Bhau Bheej centers around the story of Yama Raj and Yami. Yama Raj is the God of Death, and Yami his sister. It is said that Yama Raj visited his sister after many years and Yami was so happy that she put a tika (also called tilak) on his forehead as a gesture of safety and well-being for her brother. She also prepared a special meal for her brother which they shared together. Yama Raj was pleased with her devotion and welcoming gestures, so decreed that from then on, ever year, on the fourth day of the new moon when a sister put a tilak on her brother’s forehead, he would never come to any harm. Thus was born the Diwali Bhau Bheej day. 

Yet another legend relates the story of Subhadra welcoming her brother Lord Krishna with flowers and sweets, when Lord Krishna returned home after the slaying of the demon Narkasura (know the legend of Narakasura). Like Yami, Subhadra is said to have put a tilak on Lord Krishna’ forehead.

The purpose of Diwali Bhau Bheej is to ensure a brother’s safety and well-being, and the gesture of gifting the sister a gift is to show the brother’s affectionate love for his sister. Just as Yami and Subhadra prepared a meal for their respective brothers, so also today a special meal of the brother’s favourite food is made. In Maharashtra, on the day of Diwali Bhau Bheej a sweet known as Shrikhand Poori is made.

Know how to make Shrikhand Poori

How to perform Diwali Bhau Bheej Aarti Tika Ceremony at Home

Step 1: Prepare a thali containing a diya, some rice grains, a few ladoos or mithai, and a little red vermillion powder mixed with haldi (turmeric).

Step 2 : Light the diya in the thali.

Step 3: Put a tika of the red-and-turmeric powder on the brother’s forehead (in an upwards motion as a straight line between the eyebrows just where the nose line begins).

Step 4: Throw a few rice grains on the top of the brother’s head if he is younger to you and at his feet if he is an older brother. 

Step 5: Do aarti with the thali (make sure the diya is lit).

Step 6: Put a piece of the ladoo or mithai in your brother’s mouth. 

Step 7: Your brother will likely give you some cash or a gift. If your brother is older than you, touch his feet and take his blessings. If the brother is younger than you, you have to place your hand (palm down) on his head and give him your blessings.

Bhau Bheej Gifts are a traditional part of Diwali Bhau Bheej, with brothers giving cash or gifts to their sisters.   

Diwali Padwa Govardhan Puja Traditions Legends Rituals

The fourth day of the Diwali Festival is celebrated as the New Year, known as Kartik Shuddh Padwa, or simply as Padwa. 

Most Amazing Diwali Dry Fruits Boxes as Gifts

During the Diwali Festival, people often gift friends, relatives and colleagues boxes of dry fruits. Some Diwali dry fruit gift boxes contain bowls in floral or leaf patterns and these contain the dry fruits, where others are simply place in square sections of the box. Each Diwali dry fruit gift box is then covered with transparent cellophane paper and the entire box is wrapped in shiny gift paper. The dry fruits in a Diwali Dry Fruit Gift Box includes cashewnuts, figs, pistachios, dried black grapes, almonds, raisins, etc.