Subbu Temple Series - 10
Vitthala Temple, Pandharpur
It is the main centre of worship for Vithoba, a form of Vishnu or Krishna, and his consort Rakhumai. The temple was built by King Bittideva of Hoysala Empire between 1108–1152 CE upon being convinced by Pundalik
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Vitthala Temple, Pandharpur
It is the main centre of worship for Vithoba, a form of Vishnu or Krishna, and his consort Rakhumai. The temple was built by King Bittideva of Hoysala Empire between 1108–1152 CE upon being convinced by Pundalik
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Vitthala is known by many names, Vithoba, Panduranga, Pandharinath, Hari,Narayan
Vitthala is composed of two Sanskrit-Marathi words: viṭ, means 'brick'; and thal, which may have originated from sthala, meaning 'standing'
Thus, Vitthala would mean 'one standing on a brick
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Vitthala is composed of two Sanskrit-Marathi words: viṭ, means 'brick'; and thal, which may have originated from sthala, meaning 'standing'
Thus, Vitthala would mean 'one standing on a brick
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Historiography
The name Panduranga is found on a Rashtrakuta copper plate inscription, dated 516. Hence we can infer that Vithoba worship was well established by the 6th century
The Pandurangashtakam stotra, a hymn attributed to Adi Shankaracharya also indicates the same
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The name Panduranga is found on a Rashtrakuta copper plate inscription, dated 516. Hence we can infer that Vithoba worship was well established by the 6th century
The Pandurangashtakam stotra, a hymn attributed to Adi Shankaracharya also indicates the same
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Temple structure
1189 year monument records establishment of a small Vithoba shrine at the present location of the temple; thus, the worship of Vithoba predates 1189
1237 inscription mentions that Hoysala Someshvara donated a village for the expense of bhoga for Vitthala
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1189 year monument records establishment of a small Vithoba shrine at the present location of the temple; thus, the worship of Vithoba predates 1189
1237 inscription mentions that Hoysala Someshvara donated a village for the expense of bhoga for Vitthala
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Central Image
Although the temple may have been built in Hemadpanthi style in the 11-12th century, the statue of Vithoba is of an earlier style and its fascinating to see its resemblance to Vishnu image found in Udayagiri caves of MP, dated 3rd Century CE
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Although the temple may have been built in Hemadpanthi style in the 11-12th century, the statue of Vithoba is of an earlier style and its fascinating to see its resemblance to Vishnu image found in Udayagiri caves of MP, dated 3rd Century CE
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Pundalik
Devotee Pundalik, thrower of the brick, is a major character in the legends of Vithoba. He is a historical figure, connected with the establishment and propagation of the Varkari Sampraday & many historians consider him to be the founder of the Varkari Sampraday
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Devotee Pundalik, thrower of the brick, is a major character in the legends of Vithoba. He is a historical figure, connected with the establishment and propagation of the Varkari Sampraday & many historians consider him to be the founder of the Varkari Sampraday
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Iconography
Vithoba is shown standing arms-akimbo on the brick thrown by the devotee Pundalik. He wears a necklace of tulsi-beads, embedded with the legendary kaustubha gem, and makara-kundala, also holds a shankha in his left hand and a chakra or lotus in his right
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Vithoba is shown standing arms-akimbo on the brick thrown by the devotee Pundalik. He wears a necklace of tulsi-beads, embedded with the legendary kaustubha gem, and makara-kundala, also holds a shankha in his left hand and a chakra or lotus in his right
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Worship
Vithoba is a popular deity in Maharashtra and Karnataka; devotees also exist in Goa, Telangana, Gujarat, MP and Tamil Nadu
Pandharpur is affectionately called "Bhu-Vaikuntha"
The temple has received royal patronage from Yadava, Vijayanagara & other Maratha kings
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Vithoba is a popular deity in Maharashtra and Karnataka; devotees also exist in Goa, Telangana, Gujarat, MP and Tamil Nadu
Pandharpur is affectionately called "Bhu-Vaikuntha"
The temple has received royal patronage from Yadava, Vijayanagara & other Maratha kings
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Ashadi Ekadashi
More than 10 lakh Varkaris travel to Pandharpur for the yatra on Shayani Ekadashi, in the lunar month of Ashadha & on Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month of Kartik which are associated with Vishnu falling asleep in KsheeraSagara lying on the back Shesha-nāga
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More than 10 lakh Varkaris travel to Pandharpur for the yatra on Shayani Ekadashi, in the lunar month of Ashadha & on Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month of Kartik which are associated with Vishnu falling asleep in KsheeraSagara lying on the back Shesha-nāga
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We forgot to add info on Rakhumai 🙏
Consort
Vithoba is usually depicted with his main consort, Rakhumai, on his left side. Rakhumai literally means 'mother Rukmini' (wife of Shri Krishna)
Just like her consort, Rakhumai is also depicted in the arms-akimbo posture
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Consort
Vithoba is usually depicted with his main consort, Rakhumai, on his left side. Rakhumai literally means 'mother Rukmini' (wife of Shri Krishna)
Just like her consort, Rakhumai is also depicted in the arms-akimbo posture
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