Bhakt Pundalik Utsav Pandharpur

Lord Vithoba as also known as Vitthal, Pandurang, and Pandharinath, is a Hindu deity primarily worshipped in the Indian state of Maharashtra, and also in the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. He is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu by his devotees. The history of Lord Vithoba can be traced back to the 13th century.

According to legend, a devotee named Pundalik, who was known for his devotion to Lord Vishnu, had a vision of Lord Vishnu in the form of Vithoba. Pundalik is said to have built a temple for Vithoba in Pandharpur, a city in Maharashtra. The temple soon became a popular pilgrimage site, and over time, Lord Vithoba gained a significant following among the people of Maharashtra.

The temple at Pandharpur is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra. It is believed that Lord Vithoba grants the wishes of his devotees who visit the temple and offer prayers to him. The temple attracts thousands of devotees during the annual "Ashadhi Ekadashi" and "Kartik Poornima" fairs.

Vithoba is also known as a saint-friendly deity, and many saints like Saint Dnyaneshwar, Saint Tukaram, and Saint Namdev have written many hymns in his praise. He is also considered as the God of common people and his worship is not limited to any caste or class.

The history of Lord Vithoba is also closely linked with the Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra, which began in the 13th century and emphasized devotion to God as the path to spiritual realization. Many saints like Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram have composed many hymns and bhajans in his praise that are still recited by devotees today.

Once upon a time there was a devotee named Pundalik, who was travelling to Kashi and on the way he reached the ashram of a Saint named Kukkut. Pundalik asked the saint the way to Kashi, to which he replied that he wasn't aware of the way as he had never been there. Hearing this Pundalik made fun of the Kukkut Rishi for not knowing the way, and further said “ a holy man like you should have already visited Kashi”. The Rishi kept quiet and din't react to Pundalik’s comments.

That Night Pundalik stayed at the ashram. And suddenly he woke from his deep sleep hearing to women’s voice. He saw that 3 women were sprinkling water in the ashram and cleaning. On enquiry, Pundalik found that the 3 women were Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, the three Holy rivers came down to clean the ashram of Rishi Kukkut. Pundalik was bit surprised how a saint like Kukkut who had not visited Kashi, was such holy and powerful that the 3 holy Rivers have come to His ashram !

The three women told to Pundalik that piousness, spirituality and devotion doesn't depend on visiting holy places or doing costly rituals. But depends on performing one's Karma correctly (fulfilling all the duties and responsibilities). They further added that Sage Kukkut, had served and nursed his parents most faithfully and devoted all his life to them. Thus he had accumulated virtue enough to earn Moksha, and thereby the 3 holy women came down to Earth to serve the Rishi.

On the contrast, Pundalik has left his old parents at home and was visiting Kashi to gain Moksha and blessing. Pundalik didn't bother to entertain the request of his parents to take them along with him to Kashi. Pundalik after hearing all this understood his mistake and rushed back home, and took his parents to Kashi and after return from the holy Kashi, started to take utmost care of his old parents. Lord Krishna was moved by the sincere devotion of Pundalik towards his parents and decided to test Pundalik.

Lord Krishna came to Pundalik’s home, but Krishna saw that Pundalik was busy attending his parents. Pundalik saw Lord Krishna at the door, but his devotion towards his parents was so intense, that he wanted to finish his duties first and later attend to his guest. Pundalik has reached such a stage that it didn't matter to him, whether the guest was a mere mortal or God. All that mattered was service to His parents. Pundalik gave Lord Krishna a brick to stand on , and asked Him to wait until his duty was completed. And Lord Krishna moved by the devotion of Pundalik to his parents, waited for him patiently.

Later, Pundalik came out and asked Krishna for forgiveness for making Him wait. Krishna asked for any desired boon, for which Pundalik said “ My lord , what can I ask for ? My lord himself waits for me”? Krishna insisted that Pundalik ask for a boon, then he asked Krishna to remain on Earth to bless and take care of His devotees. Lord Krishna agreed to stay there and is known as Vithoba or the Lord who stands on a brick. This form of the Lord Vithoba is Swayambhu (which came into existence on its own). Today is Magh Dashami when Pundalik Utsav is celebrated in Pandharpur in Maharashtra. Jay Hari Vitthal Shri Hari Vitthal