I am happy to share my happiness with all of you, family
and friends about our Deepavali celebrations this year. Hope you will be glad
to see the photos and videos.
I am posting the celebrations on my blog, Raghu’s
column, so that they can be archived for me, family, and friends to view at any
time in the future.
VIDEO: Come Deepavali! An attempt to convert our home
to Ayodhya!
VIDEO: Deepavali
celebrations 2024 in pictures!
Deepavali 2024 lamps,
lights and fireworks videos!
Pandharpur
is a significant and popular pilgrimage town on the banks of the Chandrabhaga/Bhima
River. It is 75 km from Solapur city in Maharashtra State.
The
Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur holds a revered place in Hindu culture,
being the primary pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Vitthal an incarnation
of Lord Krishna, and his consort, Rukmini Devi. Nestled along the Chandrabhaga
River, the temple serves as a spiritual haven and a vibrant cultural hub that
has drawn millions of pilgrims for centuries.
We
had the fortune of visiting the Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur recently
for two days on 7th and 8th October 2024. We feel blessed and are extremely
happy to have had darshan of Lord Vitthal/Vitthala/Vitobha/Panduranga and
Rukmini Devi on both the days. And especially on 8th October morning we
performed Tulsi Archana Pooja and got the awesome opportunity of being with the
sacred idols for some time and experiencing Pada Sparsha Darshan, that is
touching the feet of Lord Vitthal and Rukmini Devi and praying at their feet.
We
visited other temples in Pandharpur and Ashrams of various saints associated
with Pandharpur, Tulsi Vrindavan and Vishnupad in the Chandrabhaga River. And
as we were staying at the ISKCON Guest House, on the left bank of the Chandrabhaga
River we got to visit the ISKCON Shri Radhapandharinath Temple and the River a
number of times. The attached pictures are of us at Pandharpur. You may read
more about the temple after the pictures below, and you may see some more
pictures at the end of this article.
The
Vitthal Rukmini Temple is more than a place of worship; it is a living
testament to centuries of faith, love, and the pursuit of spiritual ideals. A
visit here is not just about seeking blessings but about embracing a legacy of
devotion and unity that has withstood time. For devotees and travellers alike,
Pandharpur is a journey to the divine, steeped in history, culture, and the
unending love between Lord Vitthal/Lord Krishna and his devotees.
The
Vitthal Rukmini Temple’s origins are believed to date back to the 12th or 13th
century, with connections to ancient dynasties and the medieval Bhakti
movement. The temple’s primary deity, Vitthal, is an incarnation of Lord
Krishna, depicted with his hands on his hips, standing on a brick. This unique
posture and iconography symbolize patience and readiness to assist his
devotees, and the stories behind this image are deeply woven into the folklore
of Maharashtra and neighbouring States.
The
most famous legend associated with the temple is that of Pundalik, a devoted
son who was so committed to caring for his parents that he called upon Lord
Krishna to appear before him but asked the deity to wait on a brick until he
could attend to him properly after taking care of his parents. Moved by
Pundalik’s devotion, Krishna appeared in the form of Vitthal, a God who would
be accessible and willing to wait for his devotees. This event is commemorated
by the temple, making it not only a place of worship but also a monument to the
virtue of devotion and service.
The
temple complex is not only significant to the Warkari devotee sect but also to
the larger Bhakti movement, which has shaped devotional practices across India.
Saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath, and Tukaram are deeply associated with
Pandharpur, as their devotional poetry and abhangas (devotional songs) have celebrated
Vitthal and the ideals of devotion and equality.
The
temple architecture is a beautiful blend of Hemadpanthi style, with its stone
columns and intricate carvings, combined with later additions made during the
Maratha rule. As visitors enter, they are greeted by the towering Shikhara
(temple spire) and the elaborate carvings of the primary temple structure,
adorned with figures and motifs of Hindu deities.
One
of the temple’s most celebrated events is the Wari Yatra, an annual pilgrimage
that culminates at the Vitthal Rukmini Temple. Devotees, known as Warkaris,
walk hundreds of kilometres from across Maharashtra, chanting devotional songs
in praise of Vitthal. The pilgrimage, which peaks during the Ashada Ekadashi
festival, is not just a journey; it’s a display of devotion, unity, and faith.
On
Ashada Ekadashi, the temple and town come alive with millions of pilgrims. The
festival, marking the onset of monsoon, includes rituals, cultural events, and
kirtanas (devotional singing sessions). For the Warkaris, this is a profound
spiritual experience, one that strengthens their connection to Vitthal and the
values of humility, simplicity, and service.
A
special experience is attending the Kakad Aarti, the temple’s early morning
prayer, where the idol of Vitthal is adorned and worshipped amidst vibrant
chanting and music.
Pilgrims
perform ablutions in this river before entering the temple, considering it
auspicious. Its crescent shape adds a serene atmosphere to the ritual and is
considered purifying.
The
temple complex also houses memorials and symbolic padukas (footwear) of saints
like Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram, which highlight the temple's importance in the
Bhakti tradition.
I
wonder why it took us so long to visit Pandharpur when it is just 380 km from
our house!
Oh, Mehndi, art of ancient lore,
You grace the skin and so much
more.
With every stroke, a tale
unfolds,
In patterns rich, in secrets
bold.
Your earthy scent, so warm and
pure,
Brings joy that lingers, sweet
and sure.
A language silent, yet so clear,
That speaks of love we hold so
dear.
On bridal hands or festive night,
You bloom like stars in soft
moonlight.
A symbol of the heart’s delight,
Of bonds that hold, forever
bright.
Your hues of amber, deep as dusk,
Are whispers woven into trust.
In every line, in every swirl,
A masterpiece begins to unfurl.
Oh, Mehndi, how we cherish thee,
A timeless song of artistry.
With grace you trace the soul’s
design,
A celebration, pure and divine.
On 11th January, our family embarked on a journey to the Vontimitta Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple, a gem of history and devotion nestled in ...
