| Temples & Legends Of
Maharastra |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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PANDHARPUR - VITTHAL |
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| Pandharpur is a
large town on the banks of Bhima or Chandrabhaga as it is locally known. This is referred
to in old texts by various names such as Pandhari, Pandu- rangapur, Pandarangapalli,
Pandarange, Phaganipur, Pundarik Kshetra. It is impossible to trace the original forms
from which these derivatives have beenevolved, except in the case of Pandaranga palli and
Pundarik Kshetra, one indicating the presence of Pandurang and the other indicating that
of Pundarik or Pundalik, the great devotee who caused the god to stand where he today is.
Today it is known as Pandharpur or simply Pandhari. Railway routes connect the place with
important junctions like Kurduwadi and Miraj on the Central and Southern railways. State
buses link the place with all nearby district places like Sholapur, Poona, Satara, Sangli
etc. All roads are in good condition making the bus ride easier and comfortable. Visitors
to the place were and are accommodated by the Badavas who act as kshetro- padhyayas. In
addition lately huge rest- houses or dharmsshalas are erected by great devotees of Vitthal
like Sant Gadage Maharaj, Hotels and guest-houses also entertain visitors and lodging at
Pandharpur is not a very difficult proposition, of course in off seasons. When the two
great yatras are taking place it is with great difficulty thataccommodation of a decent
sort could be found. Moreover, in spite of the best precautions that the authorities take
the sanitation of the place is not always satisfactory and as such a casual visitor, one
who is not a varkari would be well advised to go to the place when no fair is in progress.
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