Sunflowers

A field of sunflowers on the route from Pandharipur to Pune on our return.

Gajanan Maharaj Ashram

The Gajanan Maharaj Ashram and Guest House. The Best Place to stay in Pandharipur. It is very near the Temple.

Vitobha Temple--Pandharipur

The rear entrance of the Vitoba Temple, Pandharipur. A rear view of the shikara.

Ganapathi Baba

Tonga

Motorised vehicles are not allowed beyond a certain point on the way to the temple. So devotees prefer these tongas.

The Colors of India

The Colors of India

On the way to the Vittal Hari Temple, we can see many shops with colourful vermilion mounds like these.

Go Matha

Gow and calf. Outside the Krishna Temple in Pandharpur. This temple is located right in the middle of the way to the main temple. I found the finish, workmanship and detailing exquisite.

Shivaji Maharaj

Every town and village in Maharshtra has a statue of Chatrapathi Shivaji in a centrally located market place or chowk. The great leader is invariably depicted mounted on a horse with drawn sword, as if in readiness for imminent battle. These photos were taken early in the morning at Pandharpur.

These statues are as ubiquitous in Maharashtra as our own Arignyar Anna in Tamilnadu. But I do wish we had chosen a more picturesque person of whom to make an icon.

A View of the Chandrabhaga River in Pandharpur

A Piece of the Moon

Pandharipur is situated on the banks of the Bhima river. The Bhima is also called the Bhivara. Nearing Pandharipur, the Bhima takes a crescent shaped turn. Hence this stretch of the river that washes the shores of Pandharipur is known as "Chandrabhaga" or "a Piece of the moon." Another story is that The Moon God (Chandra) bathed here to shake off a curse thus giving this piece of the river the name "Chandrabhaga." As in most of Hindu mythology and lore, there is no certainty in anything except in the belief that a bathe in the Chandrabhaga will wash away all one's sins.

The temple of the great devotee Pundalik stands in the midst of the Chandrabhaga River. Pundalik was the Emperor Muchkund in his earlier birth. By the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna, he was born again as the great devotee Pundalik. Lord Sree Krishna came to Pundalik's house near Pandharipur. Pundalik was serving his parents and therefore requested the Lord to wait! He placed a stone brick for Sree Krishna to stand on while waiting! And there the Lord stands to this day waiting for his devotees; to embrace them in his all-encompassing love; hands on hips and a mischeivous smile on his lips! You can see Pundalik's temple in the middle of the Chandrabhaga River in the photo.

Although we couldn't bathe in the Chandrabhaga (The river was in full flow and the current was dangerous), we sprinkled the water on our heads from the river in an act of symbolic purification.

Abhanga Amrut

Being a Jnanamargi, I have always been a bit sceptic about Bhajans and Kirthans. So I have neber truly understood the significance of the Vittal shrine in Pandharipur. All this changed as I entered the holy shrine of Panduranga Vitthala in Pandharipur on 28th September. After our Dharshan at Shirdi, we decided to visit Pandharipur. The journey takes nearly six to seven hours due south-east. We skirt Sholapur the railhead for Pandharipur. The best place to stay is at the Shri Gajanan Maharaj Dhrmashala. This well maintained and picturesque rest house is maintained by Shri Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon. A realized soul whose samadhi mandir is in Shegaon near Bhusawal in Maharashtra. I have been there with my Uncle when I spent the holidays with him at Akola.

The Gajanan Baba Rest House is pretty comfortable and they managed to find acomodation for all of us. After a quick bath to refresh ourselves, we made our way to the temple of Shri Vitthala. Fortunately there was absolutely no crowd. We simply walked straight to the sanctum sanctorum where We beheld the glorious form of the deity. Instead of attempting a description, I quote Dr. Gopal Benare's translation of Santh Tukaram's Abhang:

Beautiful is the image standing on a brick with his hands upon his hips.

On his neck is Tulsimala

On his loins a yellow silk garment

This image is my everlasting delight.

The Fish-shaped pendants sparkle in his ears

The jewel Kausthubh shines at his neck.

Tuka says:- Here is all my pleasure

I will contemplate his face with love.

I felt a similar tug in my breast as I kept gazing at the small idol of the Lordd Vitthal of Pandharipur. The image is not an intricate piece of art like the southern temple idols. Nor is it huge and impressive. Compared with many other images it looks round and primitive. But I felt that I could simply strand there immersed in this visuion of joy. I felt a lightening of my burdens; a sense of release; as if a bird had been let out of the cage.

Reluctantly, I dragged myself away from this tantalizing vision.