Shri Vitthal Temple at Pandharpur opens after 79 days
There is a lot of enthusiasm among the Warkaris
Pandharpur (Maharashtra) – Finally, the day, Vaishakh Krishna Ekadashi, for which the Warkaris longed to glimpse the Holy feet of Pandurang, arrived on 2nd June after 79 days of waiting. Shri Vitthal was worshipped at 4 a.m. in the presence of Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee Co-Chairman HBP Gahininath Maharaj Ausekar. Guardian Minister of Solapur District Chandrakant Patil was present on this occasion. Padasparsha Darshan (Darshan by touching the feet of the Idol) is open for all pilgrims from 7 a.m. onwards. This day is nothing less than a blissful spiritual experience for Warkaris and can be described using the following Marathi poem:
Aji soniyacha dinu
Varshe amrutacha ghanu
Hari pahilare Hari pahilare
Sabahyabhyantari avagha vyapak Murari
Translation
Today is a Golden day
With the nectar showering
Got a glimpse of Shri Hari
In and out, a complete Murari
The Warkaris who came from across the State rejoiced at the glimpse of Shri Vitthal with spiritual emotion and amidst chants of Shri Vitthal.
Temple work carried out beautifully with ₹75 crore Government aid: Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil
Speaking to the media on this occasion, Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil said, ‘The Maharashtra Government had granted a fund of ₹75 crores for the conservation of Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur. In the past 2 months, this fund has done wonderful work. Earlier Mukhadarshan (Darshan with only the glimpse of the idol) was only till 11 a.m., but now darshan has been opened to all and prayers have been offered at the feet of Shri Vitthal for good rains in Maharashtra’.
Vidyadhar Tate, Senior Warkari Scholar – Warkaris have received unprecedented bliss from today. The temple was given an ancient look, showing how Hindu temples have been in the past. Such purity, cleanliness, and openness should prevail. Before 1887, it was a tradition to embrace Shri Vitthal and then take Padasparsha darshan. Since then, today only the padadarshan (glimpse of the feet of the idol) is allowed.