Shri Vitthal Rukmini Mandir, Pandharpur
Pandharpur, Solapur district, on the Chandrabhaga (Bhima) river · Lord Vitthal (Vithoba, Pandurang), a form of Krishna/Vishnu standing on a brick, with Goddess Rukmini (Rakhumai) in her own shrine
The heart of the Varkari faith: Vitthal stands on a brick with hands on his hips, and lakhs walk here from Alandi and Dehu for Ashadhi Ekadashi to touch his feet.
Pandharpur is Maharashtra's most important pilgrimage town and the spiritual home of the Varkari sampradaya, the devotional movement of the saints Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath and Tukaram. Lord Vitthal stands on a brick with his hands on his waist, waiting, the story says, for his devotee Pundalik. Unusually, ordinary devotees may touch the deity's feet (padasparsha darshan). Four great yatras (Chaitri, Ashadhi, Kartiki and Maghi) bring huge crowds; on Ashadhi Ekadashi the palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram arrive after a walk of about three weeks.
Timings
- Namdev Payari door opens: 4:00 AM
- Kakad Aarti and Nitya Pooja: 4:00 – 5:30 AM
- Darshan: 6:00 – 11:00 AM; 11:15 AM – 4:30 PM; 5:00 – 11:15 PM
- Night closure: Namdev Payari door closed about 1:00 – 4:00 AM
- Yatra periods: During Ashadhi and Kartiki yatras the temple stays open 24 hours
Darshan types and costs
- Padasparsha darshan (touching the feet) – Free
- Mukh darshan (face view) – Free
- Online darshan slot pass – Free
- Paid darshan – None
Sevas and costs
- Nitya Pooja of Shri Vitthal – ₹25,000 (4:00 – 5:00 AM)
- Nitya Pooja of Shri Rukmini – ₹10,000 (4:00 – 5:00 AM)
- Padya Pooja of Shri Vitthal and Shri Rukmini – ₹5,000 (Listed as '11 to 12' on the official page (confirm AM/PM with the office); about 5 minutes)
- Chandan Uti Pooja of Shri Vitthal – ₹2,000 (4:30 – 5:15 PM; from Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada until about Mrug Nakshatra (summer))
- Chandan Uti Pooja of Shri Rukmini – ₹1,000 (4:30 – 5:15 PM; summer season)
- Tulsi Archana Pooja – ₹700 (10:00 AM, 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM)
- Mahanaivedya sponsorship – ₹11,000 (On a chosen date, at 10:45 AM)
How to book darshan
Darshan slot passes (free), poojas, Bhakta Niwas rooms, Mahanaivedya and donations are all on the committee's online portal (login with mobile OTP). Beware of fake websites and Google Maps listings.
Dress code
Modest traditional dress. For the morning Nitya Pooja and Padya Pooja inside the sanctum, men usually wear dhoti/kurta and women saree; confirm with the office.
Best time to visit
October to February for pleasant weather. Visit on an ordinary weekday for a short padasparsha queue. Come for Ashadhi Ekadashi (June/July) or Kartiki Ekadashi (October/November) only if you want to experience the wari; expect 24–36-hour queues.
How to reach
- air: Solapur airport (about 75 km) has limited flights; Pune (about 210 km) is the main airport.
- rail: Pandharpur station is about 2 km from the temple, on the Kurduwadi–Miraj line, with trains from Mumbai, Pune and Solapur; extra trains run for Ashadhi Ekadashi. Kurduwadi Junction is about 50 km away.
- road: About 210 km from Pune and 75 km from Solapur. MSRTC buses run frequently from across Maharashtra and north Karnataka.
Festivals
- Ashadhi Ekadashi (Ashadhi Yatra) – Ashadha Shukla 11 (Jun/Jul; 2026: 25 July)
- Kartiki Ekadashi (Kartiki Yatra) – Kartik Shukla 11 (Oct/Nov; 2026: about 20–21 Nov per panchang)
- Maghi Yatra (Jaya Ekadashi) – Magh Shukla 11 (Jan/Feb)
- Chaitri Yatra (Kamada Ekadashi) – Chaitra Shukla 11 (Mar/Apr)
- Monthly Ekadashis – Twice a month