Category Archives: Pandharpur

Other Temples in Pandharpur

Chandrabhaga
Skhanda puran narrates this story of lord Shiva’s fight with Tripurasur. Once Tripurasur was causing havoc in all three worlds. Lord Shiva fought valiantly and killed Tripurasur. While killing him, Lord Shiva perspired heavily. His perspiration took the form of a river and traversed the earth planet causing flood. When this flood reached Pandharpur the residents became fearful and prayed to Bhairav who is the guardian of this holly place. Lord became angry on river and was about to destroy it. The river in turn prayed to Lord Vitthal for protection. Lord Vitthal assured her protection and allowed her to flow through Pandharpur, but without making any noise. This river is none other than river Bhima and because she half circumambulates Pandharpur like half moon, hence here she is also known as Chandrabhaga.

Chandrabhaga

Chandrabhaga River

Gopalpur

Gopalpur lies 2.5 km south of Pandharpur. Gopalpur temple is on a hill which is also called as Gopalpur hill and is non different from Govardhan hill. Once Lord Krishna along with his cows came to visit Pandharpur. This past time is commemorated even today at a temple called Vishnupad in Gopalpur, where Lord Krishna’s foot prints are embedded on a stone slab along with the hoof prints of cow and the prints of Krishna’s foot. Local devotees say that this place is Lord Krishna’s eternal place of lunch pastime. Even today this pastime takes place. Narada muni’s small temple demonstrates his everyday’s visit to witness this. At Gopalpur river, Pushpavati meets Bhima. This Pushpavati river is nondifferent from Yamuna.
On the first day of the month of Margashirsha, Lord Vitthala’s sandals are taken to this vishnupad temple. On the last day of the same month, Lord Vitthala’s chariot is brought to the temple in a grand procession.

Gopalur Temple

Foot Print of Krishna and Cows

Narad Muni Temple at Gopalpur

Gopal Krishna Mandir at Gopalpur

Lohadanda Tirtha

This holy place is on the Chandrabhaga river in front of Pundalik temple.It is said that stone boat floats on river in this place. Story about this holy place is as follows – lord Indra took the appearance like gautam rishi and violated his wife Ahalya’s chastity. Gautam rishi cursed his wife into a stone and cursed Indra to suffer from disease all over his body. Ahalya became free from curse by the touch of lord Ramchandra’s feet. Indra approached Bhagvan Vishnu for help. Bhagvan Vishnu gave an iron rod in the hand of Indra and told him to go for a pilgrimage. Bhagvan Vishnu also blessed him “The holy river in which this rod will float,that will give you relief from this disease . After travelling lots of holy place, Indra reached this place. In this place, the iron rod floated and Indra took bath here. After taking bath, Indra became free from curse and disease. In this way, this the place got the name as LOHADANDA TIRTHA.

Lakhubai Temple

This temple is Rukmini’s temple. This is a place where she performed tapasya being unhappy with Lord Krishna at Dwarka. This place is also known as Dindirvan.

Lord Ram Temple

This temple is built to remind of Lord Rama’s visit to Pandharpur in his exile while he was searching for mother Sita.

Mallikarjun Temple

This pastime is even before Lord vitthal came here. Once a great demon of the name dindirav after getting blessings of many gods started troubling all directions. All the gods pleaded to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu appeared as Mallikarjun, the son of king shri Chandra. Shri Chandra performed tapasya to lord Shiva wanting to have a son like Lord Vishnu. In answer to his prayers Lord Vishnu came as child Mallikarjun. at the age of 20,Lord came to this forest for hunting and was challenged by demon Dindirav. The fight lasted for thousand years. Lord then took a mace of iron rod (loha danda) and hit demon on head. while dying demon chanted unknowingly “Hari Hari”. Being pleased with him lord asked him to ask for a benediction.

Dindirava demon asked “since I was killed by a iron rod (Loha danda),let this place be called as LOHADANDA TIRTHA and this forest gets my name as DINDIRAVAN.

Taak Pithe Vithoba Temple

This temple is close to west gate of the main vitthal temple. Long ago one old devoted lady of the name Ramabai used to stay here. She had come here from Paithan on the order of Lord himself. She would everyday serve Lord in the main temple and only eat food which is offered to Lord. On the order of Lord everyday she would bring a special food item “TAAK PITH”-Butter porridge and the Lord would relish it . As years went by Ramabai became old and could not come to temple. So lord himself along with Rukmini devi went and stayed in her house.

There lord like a child would demand and relish her TAKH PITH. When Ramabai’s health improved and she was able to go again, the lord decided to return. At this time she requested the Lord to stay permanently in her house. Agreeing with her Lord decided to expand and stay here also . even today during Ashadi Ekadashi when pilgrims can’t take darshan of the main deity they come here knowing well the non difference.

Namdev Payari(Namdev’s Steps)

Saint Namdev prayed to lord Vitthal “ oh lord, I do not want Vaikuntha , but only aspire to get dust from feet of all devotees who visit you. I wish to become the steps on your doorway.” In answer to his prayers lord Vitthal arranged for the ground near the steps to part . saint Namdev with his whole family entered into the ground. This step is even today visible on the main front door of Lord Vitthal’s temple and is called as NAMDEV PAYRI.

Namadev Payari

Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Visit to Pandharpur

Chaitanya Mahaprabhus Visit to Pandharpur

Lord Caitanya visited Pandharpur while on a journey through South India, apparently to search for His sannyasi brother, Sankararanya, formerly known as Visvarupa.

After travelling down the east coast of India through the province of Tamil Nadu and up the west coast through Kerala and Karnataka, Caitanya Mahaprabhu entered Maharashtra. As stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 9.282–283), the Lord went to Pandharpur, where He happily saw the Deity of Lord Vitthala and chanted and danced.

In Pandharpur, Lord Caitanya met Sri Ranga Puri, a Godbrother of His spiritual master, Isvara Puri. They talked about Lord Krishna continuously for five to seven days.

Sri Ranga Puri recalled that he had once been to Navadvipa, Lord Caitanya’s birthplace, where he had visited the house of a brahmana named Jagannatha Misra. Sri Ranga Puri remembered the taste of a curry cooked from banana flowers by Jagannatha Misra’s wife. Jagannatha Misra’s eldest son had accepted the renounced order. Sri Ranga Puri had later learned, he said, that this son had passed away in Pandharpur.

Jagannatha Misra, Lord Caitanya then revealed, had been His father, and the son who had passed away had been His brother.

Lord Caitanya stayed four more days in Pandharpur, before moving on. During His tour of South India, Lord Caitanya was constantly on the move, but He stayed in Pandharpur for about eleven days. His pastimes there, and those of His brother, establish yet another link between Pandharpur and the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition followed by the present-day Hare Krishna devotees.

Lord Chaitanya stayed in Pandharpur for eleven days.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visits to Pandharpur Dham

In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya Lila, Chapter 9, we read about Lord Caitanya’s visit to a famous Krishna temple in Maharashtra state:

Madhya 9.282

tatha haite pandarapure aila gauracandra

viththala-thakura dekhi’ paila ananda

“From there Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to Pandarapura, where He happily saw the temple of Viththala Thakura.”

PURPORT

The city of Pandarapura is situated on the river Bhima. It is said that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu initiated Tukarama when He visited Pandarapura, and thus Tukarama became His disciple. Tukarama Acarya became very famous in the Maharashtra province, and he spread the sankirtana movement all over the province. The sankirtana party belonging to Tukarama is still very popular in Bombay and throughout the province of Maharashtra. Tukarama’s book is known as Abhanga. His sankirtana party exactly resembles the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sankirtana parties, for they chant the holy name of the Lord with mridanga and karatalas.

Later in Madhya Lila 9, we find further information about Lord Caitanya’s association with Pandarapura, this time in relationship with His brother Vishvarupa :

Madhya 9.300

ei tirthe sankararanyera siddhi-prapti haila

prastave sri-ranga-puri eteka kahila

“Sri Ranga Puri informed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that the sannyasi named Sankararanya had attained perfection in that holy place, Pandarapura.

PURPORT

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s elder brother was named Visvarupa. He left home before Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and accepted the sannyasa order under the name of Sankararanya Svami. He travelled all over the country and finally went to Pandarapura, where he passed away after attaining perfection. In other words, he entered the spiritual world after giving up his mortal body at Pandarapura. Sri Ranga Puri, a disciple of Sri Madhavendra Puri and godbrother of Isvara Puri, disclosed this important news to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Madhya 9.301

prabhu kahe,—-purvasrame tenha mora bhrata

jagannatha misra—-purvasrame mora pita

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “In My previous asrama, Sankararanya was My brother and Jagannatha Misra was My father.”

Madhya 9.302

ei-mata dui-jane ista-gosthi kari’

dvaraka dekhite calila sri-ranga-puri

After finishing his talks with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Ranga Puri started for Dvaraka-dhama.

Madhya 9.303

dina cari tatha prabhuke rakhila brahmana

bhima-nadi snana kari’ karena viththala darsana

After Sri Ranga Puri departed for Dvaraka, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu remained with the brahmana at Pandarapura for four more days. He took His bath in the Bhima River and visited the temple of Viththala.”

Lord Nityananada Meets Laksmipati in Pandharpur

Nityananda Prabhu meet Lakshmipati

Adapted from Narahari Chakravarti Thakur’s

Sri Bhakti-ratnakara 5.2241-2328

Nityananda Prabhu was born in the village of Ekachakra. (Text 2241) His mother was Padmavati and his father was Hadai Pandit. Who can describe the love they felt for their son? He was their breath of life. Padmavati’s blissful son enjoyed many pastimes in Ekachakra. Filled with ecstasy, Nityananda showed the people the pastimes of Krishna’s avataras. The people of Ekachakra were very fortunate. For all of them, Nitai was a treasure more dear than one’s life. Their love for him grew and grew. For twelve years, Nityananda Prabhu stayed in that village. Who has the power to understand Lord Nityananda’s heart? Without Sri Krishna Chaitanya’s association, Nitai could not remain peaceful. One day, Lord Nityananda thought in his heart, ”It is not yet the time for me to obtain him. Sri Krishna Chaitanya is now in Nabadwip. Concealing his true identity, he enjoys pastimes as a child. When he openly manifests his true identity and enjoys pastimes with the devotees, then I will go and meet him. For now I will go on pilgrimage.” Thinking in this way, Lord Nityananda smiled. Soon thereafter, a sannyasi came to that village and, getting directions from the inhabitants, he arrived at Hadai Pandit’s house. Seeing the saintly guest, Hadai Pandit became joyful. In a moment he placed many foodstuffs before him and requested him to eat. The sannyasi said, ”O brahmin, promise that you will fulfill my request, only then I will eat.” Attaining that promise, the renunciate took his meal. Then, at the time of his departure, he asked that Nityananda be given to him. Consoling his father and mother, and with a peaceful heart, Nitai departed with the sannyasi. In this way, Nityananda Prabhu left home. Who has the power to understand his wonderful pastimes?

Nityananda Chandra is in the full bloom of youth. His handsomeness charms all the worlds. A single glimpse of him brings cooling bliss to the eyes. Wherever Nitai, who was filled with divine love, went, the people’s hearts became wild with ecstasy, ran to see him. Showing great mercy to everyone, Nityananda Svarup, the Personality o f Godhead himself, walked like a great king of the elephants. Nityananda Prabhu visited the same holy places he visited as Lord Balaram in Dvapara-yuga. Travelling south, he went to Pandharpur. There, Lord Nityananda saw the deity of Lord Vitthalanath. In that town lived a gentle brahmin who was a godbrother of Madhavendra Puri. Inviting the Lord to his home, the brahmin respectfully offered fruits, roots, milk, and other foods for him to eat. Gazing at Nityananda Rama, the fortunate people of Pandharpur felt their life’s breath filled with cooling bliss. Who can understand the desires in Nityananda Prabhu’s heart? After seeing Lord Vitthalanath, Nityananda stayed in a secluded place. Coming from afar, that brahmin’s spiritual master, Sri Lakshmipati, suddenly came to that village. Seeing him, the brahmin was very excited. Lakshmipati was very old. His glorious activities were beyond description. His fame extended everywhere. He was a great saint, surrounded by followers, learned in all scriptures, who walked on the path of pure devotional service. Who can describe the fatherly love that Lakshmipati felt for his disciples? ke kahite pare lakshmipatira mahima? yaa’ra sishya madhavendra pure — ei sima. Who has the power to describe Lakshmipati’s glories? His disciple was Madhavendra Puri, whose glories were the greatest. (Text 2271) madhavendra pure prema-bhakti-rasa-maya yaara nama-smaraae sakala siddhi haya. Madhavendra Puri was the abode of the mellow of pure love of godhead. The remembrance of his name grants all perfection. (Text 2272) Madhavendra Puri’s disciples, headed by Sri Isvara Puri and Sri Ranga Puri, were all intoxicated with the nectar of ecstatic love. Sripad Madhavendra had many disciples in Bengal, Orissa, and other places. They were all devoted to Krishna and were absorbed in ecstatic love. Madhavendra Puri was famous in the Madhva sampradaya. He was an ocean of good qualities and very dear to his spiritual master. Lakshmipati took his meal at that brahmin disciple’s house. Eagerly he spoke of Lord Krishna. Again and again Lakshmipati said, “I see great auspiciousness has come to your house. I have come to your home many times, but never has such bliss taken birth in my heart! I think a great devotee must be staying here.” To this, the brahmin replied. ”Your mercy is very powerful.”

By Lord Nityananda’s wish, the brahmin did not reveal Nitai’s presence in the house. The day was passed in speaking topics of Sri Krishna. That night, while sitting in his room, the glorious sannyasi Lakshmipati sang songs glorifying Lord Balaram’s pastimes, pastimes that enchant the heart. Absorbed in ananya-bhakti, unflinching love for Balaram, Lakshmipati wept. He prayed:ohe baladeva, mu adhama duracare kara anugrahana — yasa ghushuka saasare ”O Lord Balaram, I am very fallen and ill-behaved! Please be merciful to me. I will sing your glories all over the world.” (Text 2283) Speaking these words, Lakshmipati could not remain peaceful. He rolled on the ground and tears streamed from his eyes. He lamented bitterly. Overcome with powerful emotions, he was speechless and agitated. Suddenly, by Lord Nityananda’s will, he was drawn into sleep. Then, on the pretext of a dream, Nityananda Svarup happily revealed Lord Balaram’s form to Lakshmipati. How glorious was Lord Balaram! Cupid’s pride was crushed. Lord Balaram’s beautiful form rebuked a glistening silver mountain. His arms reached his knees. His chest was broad. Reaching almost to his ears, his large graceful eyes charmed the heart. A single earring on his ear charmed the hearts of the whole world. A delightful bugle-horn was tucked into the left side of the sash at his waist. His body was decorated with many ornaments. No metaphor or simile of this world could describe him. His face conquered the radiance of the full moon. On the pretext of speaking words, he created a flood of nectar. Gently, gently, he said to his dear devotee Lakshmipati, ”When I heard your lament, my heart broke. Krishna is the master of my life. Birth after birth you are his servant.” Grasping Lord Balaram’s feet, Lakshmipati said, ”I pray that in my heart I will never think you are different from Krishna.” Hearing Lakshmipati’s words, Lord Balaram smiled and said, “Wearing the dress of an avadhūta, a brahmin’s son has come to this village. He will become your disciple. With this mantra, make him your disciple.” After speaking these words, Lord Balaram spoke a mantra into Lakshmipati’s ear. Receiving the mantra, Lakshmipati became joyful. After giving his mercy in this way, Lord Balaram disappeared.

Upon rising the following morning, Lakshmipati contemplated the wonderful dream. At that moment, Lord Nityananda Rama arrived. Seeing Nitai’s effulgence, the sannyasi Lakshmipati thought, ”How wonderful is his effulgence! He is no mere human being.” Thinking in this way, with unblinking eyes the wise sannyasi gazed at Lord Nityananda’s handsome face. Falling to the ground, Nityananda Prabhu offered respects at the feet of the holy man. Lakshmipati hurriedly picked him up and embraced him. Again and again, Nityananda Ray begged, ”Please give me diksha and deliver me.” Hearing Nitai’s sweet words, Lakshmipati floated in tears from his eyes and could not remain peaceful. Unable to jump over Lord Balaram’s command, that same day he (Lakshmipati) gave mantra-diksha to Nityananda. After giving him initiation, he embraced Nityananda Prabhu. His heart overflown with bliss. Merciful Lord Nityananda was very dear to Lakshmipati. Nityananda Svarup had the power to do whatever he wished. What did he not have the power to do? In this way, Sri Nityananda Rama, who loves the devotees and who is the root of divine ecstasy, bestowed bliss on the Madhva-sampradaya. An ancient verse describes: nityananda prabhu vande srimal lakshmipati priyam sri madhva sampradananda vardhanaei bhakta-vatsalam I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nityananda, who loves the devotees, who is dear to Sri Lakshmipati, and who increases the bliss of the Madhva-sampradaya. (Text 2310) Thus becoming Lakshmipati’s disciple, Lord Nityananda was overwhelmed with astonishing happiness. Lord Nityananda departed at once. No one has the power to understand his wonderful pastimes! In Nitai’s absence, Lakshmipati became filled with sorrow. He did not speak a word to anyone. In his heart he lamented. As night was ending he was drawn into sleep. On the pretext of a dream, Nityananda Chandra appeared before him. Seeing Nityananda Prabhu, saintly Lakshmipati could not stop the tears flowing from his eyes. Suddenly Nityananda manifested the form of Lord Balaram. Seeing this, Lakshmipati immediately fell before the Lord’s glorious feet. He washed the Lord’s feet with the tears from his eyes. Again and again he said, ”Only to trick me have you descended to this world. No one has the power to know you. Even Brahma and all the devas don’t understand you. Only if you reveal yourself can someone know you. Why do you trick a fool like me, a fool worthless like a pile of ashes? O Lord, please be merciful to me. I take shelter of you.” Hearing Lakshmipati’s words, the Lord at once manifested his form of Sri Nityananda. Gazing at the sweet glory of Lord Nityananda’s form, a wonder that eclipsed a host of glistening lighting flashes, Lakshmipati became wild with ecstasy. Then Lord Nityananda Rama gave his mercy to him. Lakshmipati’s desires were now fulfilled. Forbidding him to tell anyone of what had happened, and comforting him again and again, Lord Nityananda Prabhu disappeared. When the Lord was no more visible, Lakshmipati became filled with sorrow. His sleep fled far away and he saw that the night had ended. To whom could he tell anything of this? He could not be peaceful.

From that day his life was filled with wonders. Seeing his condition, his disciples became worried. Leaving the world behind, Lakshmipati suddenly left the field of their vision. Who knows how to describe Lakshmipati’s glorious character and activities? In the world he is famous as a devotee especially dear to Nityananda Prabhu. No one can describe the great devotion of the people in Pandharpur. By Lord Nityananda’s mercy, even today the inhabitants of that village feel very strong devotion to the Lord.

ISKCON Temple at Pandharpur

Across the Candrabhaga River, right on the bank, rests a beautiful and peaceful Hare Krsna asrama, started by ISKCON devotees from Maharashtra in the early 1980’s. They cultivate the land, keep cows, and during Ekadasi festivals help serve the pilgrims. The devotees supply Srila Prabhupada’s Marathi Bhagavad-gita, always popular.

H.H Lokanath Maharaj has under expert guidance preached vigorously in this part of India following the orders given by Srila Prabhupada personally to him.

The Deities of Sri Sri Radha Pandhiranath are very beautiful.

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