Popular Temple
Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple, Pandharpur
Pandharpur, Solapur district, Maharashtra
Heart of Maharashtra's Warkari devotional tradition — often called the 'Kashi of the South'
At a glance
- Location
- Pandharpur, Solapur district, Maharashtra
- Presiding deity
- Lord Vitthal (a form of Vishnu/Krishna) and Goddess Rukmini
- Temple type
- Popular Temple
- Tradition
- Vaishnava
- Nearest railway station
- Pandharpur railway station (~3 km)
- Nearest airport
- Pune International Airport (~210 km); Solapur Airport (~72 km)
- Best time to visit
- October to February for a comfortable visit; Ashadhi Ekadashi (June-July) is best for experiencing the Wari, though extremely crowded.
History
The Vitthal-Rukmini temple at Pandharpur stands on the banks of the Chandrabhaga river (a tributary of the Bhima) and is the epicentre of Maharashtra's Warkari devotional tradition. Bhakti-era saints such as Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram, and Sant Namdev were instrumental in popularizing Vitthal devotion. The temple's origins are believed to date to around the 12th-13th century.
Spiritual significance
Every year on Ashadhi Ekadashi, millions of "Warkaris" (foot pilgrims) walk from Alandi and Dehu to Pandharpur in the traditional Wari procession — one of India's largest annual foot pilgrimages.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
4:00 AM to 11:30 PM, with special extended hours during Ashadhi Ekadashi.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
Autos and taxis are readily available from Pandharpur railway station to the temple; direct bus services also run regularly from Pune and Solapur.
Continue your Krishna bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.