Om Sai Ram!Jai Maata Di!
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Aerial View of Vithobha temple in Pandharpur
Pandharpur is one of the revered pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra. It is located 65 km west of Sholapur, on the banks of the river Bhimarathi also known as Chandrabhaga. Vithoba temple, Pandharpur is the main centre of worship for the Hindu deity Vithoba, believed to be a local form of god Krishna or Vishnu and his consort Rukmani. It is the most visited temple in Maharastra. The warkaris start marching from their homes to the temple of Pandharpur in groups called Dindi to reach on Aashadhi ekadashi and Kartiki ekadashi
These are a couple of very old pictures of this temple.I have no idea in which year they were clicked but by the appearance -I am sure, it is pretty old.. specially if u compare the aerial view picture with this one..Alot seems to have changed here...
A dip in the holy river Chandrabhaga on whose banks Pandharpur resides, is believed to have power to wash all sins.
Pandharpur is the abode of the famous Lord Vitthala also known as Panduranga, Pandhari or Vithoba enshrined in the Vithoba temple. This temple is the greatest center of attraction in Pandharpur for the masses as far as the spiritual field goes. This temple has a total of six gates and covers a large area. One of the most famous pilgrimages in Maharashtra, Pandharpur Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari has been taking place for more than 700 years. The procession was started in the current form by Sant Tukaram's son Narayanmaharaj in 1685. But it is believed that the first pilgrimage was done by the parents of Saint Dnyaneshwar in the 13th century and Sant Dnyaneshwar during his time popularized it.
Pandharpur hosts four "Yatras" in a year. The "Aashadhi Yatra" is the one which attracts most pilgrims (around 0.5 to 0.7 million) to Pandharpur every year. Devotees take holy bath in river Bhima and usually stand in long queues in order to take "Darshana" of Lord Vitthala. The second important yatra is "Kartiki". The huge crowds that accompany the palanquins of the various saints to Pandharpur gives a clear image of the popularity of Vithoba in the region.
The Western gate and shikhara of Vithoba's shrine
The Western gate and shikhara of Vithoba's shrine
Chief (eastern) entrance of the temple, with houses the "Namdeva chi Payari". The small blue temple in front of the gate is saint Chokhamela's memorial.One interesting tale is also of the first step in the temple called “Namdev chi payari” (step of Namdev). The child Namdev was always an ardent devotee of Vithoba. One day his mother asked him to complete the ritual of “naivedya” (any food made in the house is first offered to God, the ritual comprises placing the offering plate before the idol and sprinkling water around the plate and with a prayer to God). Namdev was pleased to do “naivedya” . After the ritual he waited for God to appear and take the offering. But God did not appear. He was disheartened. He kept praying and requested God to come in person and accept the offering. The child was so unhappy with the non-appearance of God, he started banging his head at the feet of God and begging him to come and take the offering. Seeing the utmost devotion and innocence of a child, God was pleased. He appeared and ate the offering and blessed Namdev. The adult Namdev when blessed by God asked for being present in the "first step" in God’s temple, so that he could be blessed with the touch of infinite number of devotees who would be able to have “darshan” (view) of God. Thus, the first step in the temple at Pandharpur is called “namdev chi payari”.
The shikhara of Rakhumai's cella
The saga of Pundalik is one of the most important Mahima legends associated with Vithoba. How Vithoba came to Pandharpur is a story in which a man called Pundalik plays an important part. Pundalik was a devoted son to his parents Janudev and Satyavati. They lived in a forest called Dandirvan. But after his wedding, Pundalik began ill-treating his parents. Tired with their son’s misbehaviour and ill treatment, the elderly couple decided to leave for Kashi. Legend holds that people who die in the city of Kashi attain salvation and emancipation from the cycle of birth and death, and so, many pious Hindus in bygone era would relocate to Kashi as their end drew near.
However, the elderly couple were not destined to escape their sufferings so easily. Upon hearing of their plans, Pundalik's wife decided to join them and make a pilgrimage. Pundalik and she then joined the same group of pilgrims on horseback. The ill treatment of the old couple continued at the hands of Pundalik. While the youthful son and his wife rode on horseback, the frail old couple walked in bad weather. Pundalik even made his old parents work towards making his own journey comfortable. Every evening when the party camped for the night, the son forced his parents to groom the horses and do other jobs.
On the way to Kashi, the group reached the ashram (hermitage) of a pious and venerable sage named Kukkutswami. Being tired from the journey, they decided to spend a few days there. That night, when all were asleep, Pundalik by chance lay awake. He witnessed a remarkable vision. Just before dawn, he saw a group of beautiful, young women, dressed in dirty clothes, enter the ashram, clean the floor, fetch water and wash the venerable sage’s clothes. After they finished their chores, they went to the prayer-room of the hermitage. When they reappeared after prayer, their clothes were spotlessly clean. Then, they vanished as inexplicably as they had appeared.
Pundalik did not feel moved to raise an alarm; on the other hand, he felt a deep sense of peace as he witnesses this scene. It remained on his mind the whole day, and he resolved upon remaining awake the next night, to be sure that what he had witnessed was not merely a dream. This time however, Pundalik was very curious. He approached the beautiful women and asked him them on who they were.
They said, they were the Ganga, Yamuna and other holy rivers of India in which were revered for their holiness and pilgrims thronged to have a dip in their holy waters to wash away their sins. The holy rivers explained that their clothes were dirty and unclean due to the sins of the bathing pilgrims. "But O Pundalik, you, with your ill-treatment of your parents, are the greatest sinner of them all! "
Message from the teachings of Saibaba for 29th September
Sainath's Sacred Foot-Prints
They said, they were the Ganga, Yamuna and other holy rivers of India in which were revered for their holiness and pilgrims thronged to have a dip in their holy waters to wash away their sins. The holy rivers explained that their clothes were dirty and unclean due to the sins of the bathing pilgrims. "But O Pundalik, you, with your ill-treatment of your parents, are the greatest sinner of them all! "
This incident completely shocked Pundalik and got a transformation in him. He realized his mis- deeds and became devoted to his parents. He made all efforts to make his parents comfortable. And left no stone unturned to make his parents happy, even at the cost of his own comfort.
They say, devotion in any form reaches God immediately. Seeing this outmost devotion of Pundalik to his parents , Lord Vishnu was very pleased. God was so happy with him that He wanted to bless Pundalik immediately, so he left from Vaikuntha (Lord Vishnu’s abode) for bhoolok (Earth)and Pundalik’s ashram.
Lord knocked Pundalik’s door. At that time Pundalik was serving his parents food and was busy. Pundalik heard the door knock and realized it was God who had come to see him. But such was his devotion to his parents, he wanted to complete his duties and only then attend to the visitor, irrespective of whether it was even God at his doorstep. Pundalik threw a brick outside for God to stand on and wait for him until he finishes attending to his parents.
Seeing this devotion & commitment to his parents he was extremely impressed. And the ever-loving God waited for his devotee. When Pundalik came out and begged God's pardon, Lord Vishnu replied that far from being displeased, he was pleased with his love for his parents and granted a boon to him. Pundalik requested God to stay back on Earth and bless all his numerous devotees. Lord agreed to stay back as Vithoba, or God who stood upon a brick. Along with Vithoba, Rakhumai (Mother Rukmini) is also worshipped.
A temple was built at the place where Lord Vishnu stood on the brick..
May Lord Vithobha help us to clean our past bad deeds with our good deeds and pure devotion for our creatorThey say, devotion in any form reaches God immediately. Seeing this outmost devotion of Pundalik to his parents , Lord Vishnu was very pleased. God was so happy with him that He wanted to bless Pundalik immediately, so he left from Vaikuntha (Lord Vishnu’s abode) for bhoolok (Earth)and Pundalik’s ashram.
Lord knocked Pundalik’s door. At that time Pundalik was serving his parents food and was busy. Pundalik heard the door knock and realized it was God who had come to see him. But such was his devotion to his parents, he wanted to complete his duties and only then attend to the visitor, irrespective of whether it was even God at his doorstep. Pundalik threw a brick outside for God to stand on and wait for him until he finishes attending to his parents.
Seeing this devotion & commitment to his parents he was extremely impressed. And the ever-loving God waited for his devotee. When Pundalik came out and begged God's pardon, Lord Vishnu replied that far from being displeased, he was pleased with his love for his parents and granted a boon to him. Pundalik requested God to stay back on Earth and bless all his numerous devotees. Lord agreed to stay back as Vithoba, or God who stood upon a brick. Along with Vithoba, Rakhumai (Mother Rukmini) is also worshipped.
A temple was built at the place where Lord Vishnu stood on the brick..
Message from the teachings of Saibaba for 29th September
Sainath's Sacred Foot-Prints
Sri Sai used to sit underneath a neem tree since He entered Shirdi. One day, Krishnaji had a desire to see the Padukas, sacred foot-prints of Saint Akkalkot Maharaj. Before he could start to Akkalkot, the Swami of Akkalkot appeared in his dream and said, "You need not come to Me now. My present stay is at Shirdi. So you go there and have the darshan". Krishnaji believed that Swami Samarth of Akkalkot and Sai Baba were one and the same. Krishnaji went to Shirdi, stayed for six months and wanted to install the padukas of Sai Baba underneath the neem tree hallowed by Baba sitting under it. Krishnaji was advised by his friend to ask Dr. Rama Rao Kotare to make the padukas. When the blue-print of the foot-prints were shown to Sri Upasani Maharaj, he added lotus, conch-shell, chakra, the disc on them. They got the padukas made in Bombay. Baba ordered that the padukas be installed on the auspicious Sraavana Pournami day.Dikshit brought the sacred padukas, keeping them on his head, to Dwarakamayi and placed them before Baba who touched them and declared that the padukas were the Feet of God. He gave twenty-five rupees to meet the expenditure to be incurred for the installation of the padukas. Since then, devotees who visit Shirdi wave the camphor-lit lamp and offer sanctified food to the padukas. It is a sacred service to the Lord of the Universe.
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