Pandharpur
Pandharpur (Pronunciation: [pəɳɖʱəɾpuːɾ]) is a Popular pilgrimage town, on the banks of Chandrabhagā River, near Solapur city in Solapur District, Maharashtra, India. Its administrative area is one of eleven tehsils in the District, and it is an electoral constituency of the state legislative assembly (vidhan sabha). The Vithoba temple attracts about a million Hindu pilgrims during the major yātrā (pilgrimage) in Ashadha (June–July).
Pandharpur | |
|---|---|
The chief gate of Vitthal's temple, facing the Bhima River, Ujwala Setu, Pandharpur Wari, Chandrabhaga river | |
| Nickname(s): Pandhari, Pandaripuram | |
Pandharpur Location in Maharashtra, India | |
| Coordinates: 17°40′40″N 75°19′40″E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Solapur |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 20.2 km2 (7.8 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 9 |
| Elevation | 450 m (1,480 ft) |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 242,515 |
| • Density | 12,000/km2 (31,000/sq mi) |
| Language | |
| • Official | Marathi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Vehicle registration | MH-13 |
A small temple of Śri Vitthala-Rukmini is also located, which is as old as the main Vitthala-Rukmini Mandir, in Isbavi area of Pandharpur known as Wakhari Va Korti Devalayas and also known as Visava Mandir. The Bhakti Saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is said to have spent a period of 7 days in city at the Vithobha Temple. It is said that the deity Vithoba has been worshipped by many saints of Maharashtra. Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukārām, Sant Nāmdev, Sant Eknāth, Sant Nivruttināth, Sant Muktābai, Sant Chokhāmel̥ā, Sant Savatā Māli, Sant Narhari Sonār, Sant Gorā Kumbhār, Sant Meerā Bai and Sant Gajānan Mahāraj are a few of those prominent saints.