| Temples & Legends Of
Maharastra |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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PANDHARPUR - VITTHAL |
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| Thus there are
the followers of the late Shri Gadge Maharaj, then the lady devotee of Panduranga, by name
of Manmadkar commands a large following from amongst the Varkaris. These groups have their
own rest-houses and other facilities at Pandharpur. Still more recently attempts have been
made to introduce the teaching of political philosophies or to educate the masses through
the medium of bhajans and kirtans and one such performance the author had an opportunity
of attending was the ver reverse of the hitherto known traditions of the varkari sect. The
Varkaris, all along in their history of nearly a thousand years, have been nothing less
and nothing more than the devotees of Vitthal. What changes in the panth, if any, the
changing social and political pattern may bring about is difficult to say. The mainspring of the inspiration of the Varkari faith is, as
already indicated the literature of Marathi saints. Following the needs of time these
saints have resorted to the poetical form of expression, the abhangas, for their
teachings. According to all Varkari traditions Pundalik is the first great devotee of
Vitthal. He was responsible for bringing Vitthal to Pandharpur and as such his position is
unequalled. Next comes Jnyaneshvar. His Jnyaneshivri and Amritanubliava are of
fundamental importance as far as the philosophy of the cult goes. His con- temporary
Namdev enjoys great prestige and his abhangas are greatly popular. His samadhi is below
the entrance to the Vitthal shrine. He was an able Haridas and his kirtans attracted vast
masses to the sandy banks of the Bhima. It is known that his influence was also felt in
the northern regions of the country and Granthasahib, the sacred book of the Sikhs
contains some passages from his pen. |
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