Pandharpur which is considered as the spiritual capital of Maharashtra is located in Solapur District and the Temple is known as Vitthal Rukmini Temple. The Temple is located on the banks of River Bhima.   Though the Presiding Deity is called as Vitthal, He is known in few other names too such as Vittoba, Pandarinath, Pandurang, Pandhariraya, Vitthumauli, Vitthal Gururao etc.  Vittal is an incarnation of Maha Vishnu and His Consort Rukmini is none other than Goddess Mahalakshmi. Vitthal Graces His Devotees from His Shrine whereas His Consort Rukmini does the same from Her Sub Shrine located closeby.  It is the only Temple in the whole of India where Devotees can walk upto the Presiding Deity and touch the Holy Feet of Vittal when they Bow and Pray in the Sanctum Sanctorum.  This is the most visited Temple in Maharashtra.  A majority of the Devotees who come to this Temple to have a glimpse of Vitthal are from the downtrodden and most of them walk from nearby and far flung areas just for the sake of touching His Holy Feet and Praying.  A dip in the Holy River of Bhima or Chandrabhaga is considered very Divine.  The main Shrine is a five storied building and the main attraction of this Temple is its square shaped portico with an Idol of Lord Shiva.  Dwarapalakas or Guards Jayan and Vijayan are seen flanked on either side of Lord Vitthal, the Main Deity.  Since the Temple itself is in the middle of the river it gets engulfed during monsoon rains and flash floods.  Day or Night the Main Deity is resplendent and sparkling to look at since He is carved in a blank stone.  There are Sub Shrines for Ganesh, Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Venkateshwara Swamy etc. This Temple is the first of its kind in entire India to maintain social equality since the Temple Management starting from 2014 appointed Women and Backward Class as Temple Priests here.  The sick and elderly may find it a bit difficult to withstand the serpentine queue for hours together since there is no special entry here.   There are rows of shops all around the Temple selling Pooja and Divine articles and other eatables etc.  The Temple does not allow Mobile Phones or Cameras and these have to be deposited at a counter close to the Temple.

Temple Timings: 4 AM to 11 PM

Contact Details: Phone: 02186 - 224466

Distance from Solapur to Vitthal Temple, Pandharpur is 72 Kms

Distance from Mumbai to Pandarpur is 360 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Vitthal Temple, Pandharpur is 1022 Kms

For any Suggestions in the Website: T.Ragavachari - 98411 40126