Pundalik Temple, Pandharpur - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 500 m from Vitthal Rukhmini Mandir, and 3 km from Pandharpur Railway Station, Pundalik Temple is a Hindu temple located in the sacred town of Pandharpur, Maharashtra. Situated on the banks of River Chandrabhaga, it is one of the must-visit places in Pandharpur as part of the Pandharpur packages.

Bhakt Pundalik Temple is devoted to Lord Vitthal or Vithoba, generally considered a Vaishnava deity identified with the deities of Vishnu and Krishna. Sage Pundalik or Pundarik is a central figure in the legends of the Hindu God Vithoba. He is credited to have brought Vithoba to Pandharpur, where the central shrine of Vithoba stands today. Pundalik is also perceived to be the historical founder of the Varkari sect, one of the two major sects centered on the worship of Lord Vithoba. Pundalik was one of the earliest Kundalini Yoga practitioners.

Pundalik Temple in Pandharpur is a monument to the devotion of his service to his parents. According to legend, Pundalik was a devoted son who served his parents with the utmost care. Once, he was visited by Lord Vishnu, who came to bless him for his service. However, Pundalik was busy attending to his parents and asked Lord Vishnu to wait outside on a brick. Vishnu was impressed by his devotion and agreed to wait. Pundalik later came out and apologized to Vishnu for making him wait. Vishnu was pleased with his humility and asked him what he wanted as a boon. Pundalik requested Vishnu to stay on the brick and bless all his devotees who came to Pandharpur. Vishnu agreed and took the form of Vitthal, standing on the brick with his hands on his hips.

The main shrine of Pundalik Temple is a five-story building with a pyramidal gun spire, where the statue of Jaya and Vijaya flanks Lord Vitthal. There is a Shivlinga at the entrance of the temple. On the Shivlinga, there is the idol of Pundalik. It also has an attractive tower. Priests from Koli society are the worshipers of Pundalik.

There is a customary practice in the temple that devotees should do their darshan of the Lord only after bathing in the Chandrabhaga River, then do darshan of Pundalik and then only proceed to Vitthal Rukmini Temple. The festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated on a grand scale on the temple premises.

Timings: 4 AM - 7 PM

Entry: Free