About Pandharpur

Country: India | State: Maharashtra

Ideal Trip Duration: Full Day

Nearest City to Pandharpur: Solapur (77 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Pandharpur: October to March

Peak Season: December to February

At a distance of 34 km from Sangola, 77 km from Solapur, 181 km from Kolhapur, 199 km from Gulbarga, 209 km from Pune, 272 km from Bidar, 251 km from Pune, 365 km from Mumbai, and 379 km from Hyderabad, Pandharpur is a temple town located on the banks of Chandrabhaga River near Solapur city in Maharashtra, India. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the top places to visit near Pune.

Pandharpur is one of eleven tehsils in the Solapur District. Renowned for its deep-rooted religious heritage and enchanting spiritual aura, Pandharpur is considered to be the spiritual capital of Maharashtra and revered as the Southern Kashi of India. The Vitthal Rukmani Temple is the centerpiece of Pandharpur's spiritual landscape. Dedicated to Lord Vitthal, a form of Lord Krishna, the temple attracts countless devotees from far and wide to seek blessings and immerse themselves in devotion.

The ancient town of Pandharpur has a rich historical background that dates back to ancient times, with references found in various scriptures and literary works. The oldest mention of Pandharpur is from 516 CE from a Rashtrakuta-era copper plate inscription. Yadava Kings in the 11th and 12th centuries gave numerous donations to the Vitthal temple, as evident from the inscriptions. During the era of Adilshahi, most of the town was destroyed by Afzal Khan to hurt the religious sentiment of Shivaji Maharaj. In the second half of the 18th century, the temple and town were rebuilt under the Peshwas of Pune, Scindia of Gwalior, and Holkar of Indore.

According to legend, this is the place where the revered sage Pundalik attained spiritual enlightenment. Over time, Pandharpur gained eminence as a sacred abode of Lord Vitthal and became a focal point for devotees seeking solace and divine blessings. Pandharpur's historical significance is further enhanced by the influence of the Bhakti movement, a cultural and spiritual renaissance that flourished during the medieval period.

The sacred town of Pandharpur boasts magnificent temples and shrines. The Vitthal Rukmani Temple stands as the primary place of worship, attracting millions of devotees every year. The exquisite craft skills and intricate carving of the temple offer a glimpse into the artistic prowess of the bygone era. Besides, the Kaikadi Maharaj Math, Pundalik Temple, Shri Gopalkrishna Temple, Vishnupad Temple, and ISKCON Pandharpur are the other prominent places to visit in Pandharpur as part of Pandharpur tour packages.

Being a popular pilgrimage destination, Pandharpur is well known for its annual festivals. The annual Pandharpur Yatra, also known as the Ashadi Ekadashi, witnesses a colossal gathering of devotees. Many people go on foot and in groups from all parts of the state. Besides, Kartiki, Magh, and Chaitra Ekadashis are the other major festivals celebrated with great pomp and fervor. Pandharpur caters to all its visitors' needs by offering a range of lodging options. From budget-friendly guesthouses to blissful hotels, pilgrims can discover the ideal region to remain and immerse themselves in the religious surroundings of the city.

About 209 km from Pandharpur, Pune Airport is the nearest international airport, which has direct flights from almost all the cities in India. From the airport, tourists can take a bus or taxi to reach Pandharpur. Pandharpur is well-connected by train with Solapur, Sangli, Bangalore, Kolhapur, and Mysore. The best option is near Solapur junction (77 km), which possesses great connectivity to both north and south India. Pandharpur has good road connectivity with the rest of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana.

The best time to visit Pandharpur is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and suitable for sightseeing and temple visits. Summers are hot and humid, and the monsoon season which is followed by heavy rainfall and waterlogging in Pandharpur. So, better to avoid visiting Pandharpur during these months.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Good
STD Code: 02186
Languages Spoken: Marathi, Kannada, Telugu
Major Festivals: Pandharpur Yatra, Kartiki, Magh & Chaitra Ekadashis
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Pandharpur

By Air

Nearest Airport: Pune - Pune Airport (209 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Pandharpur (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Pandharpur Bus Station (2 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Pandharpur

#1 of 6 Places to Visit in Pandharpur

At a distance of 2 km from Pandharpur Railway Station, the Vithoba Temple, officially known as Sri Vitthal Rukmini Mandir is a Hindu temple in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. This is one of the most visited temples in Maharashtra and among the must-include places in Pandharpur tour packages.

Located on the banks of the river Bhima, also known as Chandrabhaga, Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir is dedicated to Lord Vithoba, a form of the Lord Vishnu or Krishna, and his consort Rukhmini. The temple is classified as one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams of the Vaishnavate tradition. According to inscriptions dating back to 618 CE, the place was called 'Pandaraga Vittaga' which later got modified into Panduranga Vitthala. The town also became famous as the place of Pundalik (Pundarika Muni), and this is the place where Pundalik took samadhi.

The temple was built by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire between 1108 and 1152 CE. Apparently, .....

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#2 of 6 Places to Visit in Pandharpur

At a distance of 500 m from Vitthal Rukhmini Mandir, and 3 km from Pandharpur Railway Station, Pundalik Temple is a Hindu temple located in the sacred town of Pandharpur, Maharashtra. Situated on the banks of River Chandrabhaga, it is one of the must-visit places in Pandharpur as part of the Pandharpur packages.

Bhakt Pundalik Temple is devoted to Lord Vitthal or Vithoba, generally considered a Vaishnava deity identified with the deities of Vishnu and Krishna. Sage Pundalik or Pundarik is a central figure in the legends of the Hindu God Vithoba. He is credited to have brought Vithoba to Pandharpur, where the central shrine of Vithoba stands today. Pundalik is also perceived to be the historical founder of the Varkari sect, one of the two major sects centered on the worship of Lord Vithoba. Pundalik was one of the earliest Kundalini Yoga practitioners.

Pundalik Temple in Pandharpur is a monument to the devotion of his service .....

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#3 of 6 Places to Visit in Pandharpur

At a distance of 2.5 km from Vitthal Rukhmini Mandir, and 3.5 km from Pandharpur Railway Station, Sri Gopalkrishna Mandir is another prominent Hindu temple located at Gopalpur near the holy town of Pandharpur, Maharashtra. It is one of the best places to visit as part of Pandharpur tour packages.

Perched atop the Govardhan Parvat, Sri Gopalkrishna Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple resembles that of a fort and has underground chambers. The temple premises has a kitchen and a grinding place, both of which are believed to be used by Lord Krishna. A Pandharpur tour is said to be incomplete if they have not stopped by this temple.

Gopalpur and Pandharpur are intertwined in the Lila of Lord Vitthal. According to Padma Purana, once Rukmini Devi left Dwaraka after she thought that Lord Krishna was showing greater affection for Radharani. Lord Krishna, along with cows and his Gopa friends, followed her to the Dindiravana .....

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#4 of 6 Places to Visit in Pandharpur

At a distance of 1.5 km from Sri Vitthal Rukhmini Mandir, and 2.5 km from Pandharpur Railway Station, the Kaikadi Maharaj Math Mandir is a sacred Hindu temple located in the holy town of Pandharpur, Maharashtra, India. It is one of the best places to visit in Pandharpur.

The Kaikadi Maharaj Math is a revered spiritual institution dedicated to the renowned saint, Sri Kaikadi Maharaj. Math serves as a center for spiritual teachings, meditation, and religious discourses. One of the key teachings of Kaikadi Maharaj emphasizes the importance of selfless service (seva) and compassion towards all beings. Math attracts many followers and devotees seeking spiritual guidance and enlightenment.

The math is situated in a serene and tranquil environment, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The architecture of the math reflects the traditional style of Maharashtra, with beautiful carvings and intricate .....

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#5 of 6 Places to Visit in Pandharpur

At a distance of 5 km from Pandharpur Railway Station, ISKCON Temple is situated on the east bank of the Chandrabhaga River. It is one of the many ISKCON temples in India and among the must-include places in Pandharpur tour.

Established in the early 1980s, ISKCON Temple is situated on the opposite side of the Chandrabhaga River as compared to the main Vitthal temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is known as Sri Radha Pandharinath Temple. ISKCON Pandharpur is a part of the larger ISKCON movement, which aims to promote the teachings of Lord Krishna as revealed in ancient scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. ISKCON temples emphasize the practice of bhakti yoga, the path of devotional service to attain spiritual growth, and a deeper connection with Krishna.

The temple is big and the premises are peaceful. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses beautiful idols of Lord Krishna and Radha .....

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#6 of 6 Places to Visit in Pandharpur

At a distance of 2 km from Vitthal Rukhmini Mandir, and 3.5 km from Pandharpur Railway Station, the Vishnupad Temple is Hindu temple situated at Gopalpur near Pandharpur. It is one of the sacred places to visit in Pandharpur.

The Vishnupad Temple is situated on the shore of the River Chandrabhaga in Pandharpur. The state of the sanctum is in type of an enormous open lobby, and is supported by sixteen pillars, which are intricate and display the images of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna in several postures. As per the locals, this place is Lord Krishna's eternal place of lunch pastime.

As the name suggests, the temple houses lotus footprints of Lord Krishna and hoof-prints of the cows and calves who came with him. These footprints are considered auspicious and are worshipped by the pilgrims. People who are unable to visit the namesake temple in Gaya can visit this temple as it is considered as sacred .....

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