The vitthal temple said to be over two millennia old has a scripture that dates back to 1195 .It lists the donors who funded the renovation of the temple then . Devotees rub their back on this scripture in the belief that they will be exempted from 84 lakh births . The roof and the stone pillars of the vithal temple have exquisite carvings . The main entrance is known as the mahadwar. Saint namdeo lord vithal’s ardent devotee has his shrine on the first step of this entrance . This is called the namdeo payari ( step ) . To pay tribute to namdeo saintly devotion .it is custom not to touch it with the one’s feet but to worship it . The newly constructed darshan mandap opposite the main temple entrance can accommodate 80,000 devotees during the vari ( procession ) . Inside the temple there is another huge wall known as the solkhambi mandap. It is imposing 16 pillared stone structure , constructed in 1802 . All the pillars have exquisite carvings while the inner one known as the garuda khamb has been worked in silver . As per tradition devotees embrace this pillar before praying the lord . Pandharpur is a small place and most of the temple’s can be covered on foot . The vitthal temple is centrally located on the highest hillock in pandharpur . The perennial chandrbhaga flows a kilometer away from the temple in north south direction . The vitthal temple is said to be about 2,000 years old and could be better kept . The black sandstone idols of vitthal and rukmini are truly enchanting. After the vari is over the temple is washed with water and idols are given a different diet of spices and sugar and a new set of clothes since they are tired after a hectic day .During navratri and dusshera the deities are adorned with new clothes everyday. Both vitthal and rukmini have an exquisite array of jewelry that includes gold , pearls, diamonds , and the navratnas ( precious & semi precious gems in nine colors ) Situated on the river bank opposite the vitthal temple the pundalik temple is dedicated to vitthal’s ardent devotee . The kolis or fisherfolk manage it . There isna warm water spring outside the temple and devotees wash their feet in it before entering . Outside the temple is a small stone boat approximately 3 feet by 2 feet which is too heavy to lift with bare hands . But put it in the water and it actually floats . One legend says that sant tukaram sang some abhang which made it float . Take a ferry across the river to gopalpur where lord krishna used to graze cattle. It is a small place to pray . An old stone temple . Also on the other bank is ISKCON temple a quite place to pray . An old stone temple to mhasoba also stands on the opposite bank of chandrabhaga . These temple’s are about a kilometer from one another and the ferry stops at each . Vishnupad ( lord vishnu ‘s footprints ) is a rock in the middle of the chandrabhaga there’s a beautiful view of the river here . Ferries stop at vishnupad before going on to gopalpur .
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