Pandharpur

Pandharpur
पंढरपूर
City

The chief gate of Vithoba's temple
Nickname(s): Pandhari, Pandaripuram
413304
Pandharpur

Location in Maharashtra, India

Coordinates: 17°40′40″N 75°19′40″E / 17.67778°N 75.32778°E / 17.67778; 75.32778Coordinates: 17°40′40″N 75°19′40″E / 17.67778°N 75.32778°E / 17.67778; 75.32778
Country  India
State Maharashtra
District Solapur
Government
 • Type City
Area
 • Total 25 km2 (10 sq mi)
Area rank 9
Elevation 450 m (1,480 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 140,000 (Approx)
Language
 • Official Marathi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Vehicle registration MH-45 and MH-13

Pandharpur is a well known pilgrimage city on the banks of Bhimā river in Solāpur district, Maharashtra, India. Pandharpur is situated on the 1711 north axis and the 7511 east longitude in Solapur District. The Vithoba temple attracts about a million Hindu pilgrims during the major yātrā (pilgrimage) in the month of Ashadh (June–July).

Geography

Pandarpur has an average elevation of 458 metres (1502 feet).

Demographics

According to the 2011 census of India, Pandharpur had a population of 1,20,000. Males constituted 52% of the population and females, 48%. 71% of the population was literate; 78% males and 64% females. Marathi and Kannada are spoken here.[1]

Transport

Pandharpur is well connected by Road, Rail to all the major places. Its state transport bus terminal is one of the biggest in Maharashtra. The nearest airport is Solapur which handles non-schedule charter flights. The nearest Major airport is Pune at 222 Km from Pandharpur.

Distances from State Transport Bus Stations-

Religious importance

Further information: Vithoba and Vithoba temple, Pandharpur
Map of Vithoba Temple of Pandharpur and surroundings

Pandharpur is located on the banks of the Bhimā river, which is alternatively known as Chandrabhāgā because of its half-moon-like shape. The city is named after a great merchant, Pundalik, who achieved self-realization there.[2]

Pandharpur, also known as Pandhari, hosts the renowned Vitthal temple on the banks of Bhimā. "Vithoba", "Pāndurang", and "Pandharināth" are the popular alternate names of the deity, Vittal, who is regarded in Hinduism as a form of Lord Krishna. Krishna is considered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rakhumāi or Rukmini is Viththal's consort in the temple.

The worship of Vittal in the Pandharpur temple is based mainly on the contents of the Puranas, and the contributions of the Vaishnav saints of Maharashtra and Karnataka during the 13th through the 17th centuries. Some of these saints are Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Gora Kumbhar, Chokhamela, Eknath, Tukaram, Purandara Dasa, Vijaya Dasa, Gopala Dasa, and Jagannatha Dasa.

The Pandharpur temple covers a large area and has six gates. The eastern gate is known as the "Namdev Gate."

Pandharpur hosts four annual pilgrimages ("yātrās") of Hindu devotees. Among them, the pilgrimage in the month of Āshādh (June–July) in the Hindu calendar attracts the largest number of pilgrims—around 500,000 to 700,000 people. The pilgrimages in the months of Kārtik (October–November), Māgh (January–February) and Shrāvan (July–August) attract the second, third and fourth largest numbers of pilgrims respectively.

Education

In Pandharpur there are 3 engineering colleges and 3 polytechnic engineering colleges. Karamvir Bhaorao Patil Mahavidyalaya is one of the popular Art, Commerce and Science college in Solapur district. [3]

References

  1. ↑ Rice, Lewis. Mysore and Coorg : A gazetteer compiled for the government of India. Bangalore: Mysore Government Press. p. 460.
  2. ↑ Pandharpur on Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
  3. ↑ http://www.dtemaharashtra.gov.in/approvedinstitues/StaticPages/HomePage.aspx
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