TEMPLE TOUR IN MAHARASHTRA - PART 2

TEMPLE  TOUR IN  MAHARASHTRA  -  PART 2

Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple, Kholapur

                Then by 12 Noon, we started our journey  to the next place in the tour itinerary – Kolhapur. Kolhapur is at a distance of 125 kms from  Dakshin Kasi.  . We reached Kolhapur around 03.00 PM. We went to Sri Mahalakshmi temple directly. Known as Shri Ambabai Temple ,also known as Mahalaxmi Mandir,  Sri Lakshmi Devi  ( Shri AMBABAI) The temple of the goddess Mahalakshmi was built by Karnadeva in 634 CE Chalukya reign.Mounted on a stone platform, the vigraham is crowned with gemstone and weighs about 40 kilograms. The image of Mahalakshmi carved in black stone is 3 feet in height. The Shri  Yanthra is carved on one of the walls in the temple. A stone lion  stands behind the statue. The crown contains a five headed snake. Further, she holds a Matulinga fruit, mace, shield and a Panapatra  (drinking bowl.  Unlike most Hindu sacred images, which face north or east, the deity faces west (Pashchim). There is a small open window on the western wall, through which the light of the setting sun falls on the face of the image for three days around the 21st of each March and September and  These days are very important festive days here. There are a number of other shrines in the praharam to the Navagraham, Mahishasuramardhini, Vittal Ruk,imi, Maha Vishnu & Others.  Very Old temple with beautiful wooden and stone carvings all around the temple. Temple opens from 5.00 AM  till 9.00 PM ( No break). Here only common queue only for all ( No special darshan)

                From Kolhapur temple we departed for Pandharpur around 04.45 P.M. Pandharpur is at a distance of 180 kms from Kolhapur and requires 3.30/3.45 hours drive on road.

                We reached Pandharpur around 08.20 PM. For the night stay we stepped in to Vithal Rukmini

Bhakta Nivas, Pandharpur run by the temple devasthanam.  Very comfortable with all facilities.

The temple is about one and half kilometre from Bhakta Nivas. We started for temple by 06.30 AM and   We  stepped in to dhrashan waiting hall around 07.00 AM. Although it was morning there was reasonably rush, but the queue was moving quickly. There are many ups and downs(climbing steps) almost for half a kilometre before reaching the sanctum. We reached the sanctum and had an excellent Dharshan of Shri Vithal and Rukmini . Here also NO Special darshan entry , only common to all queue but moving fast.

                  

         SHRI VITHAL-RUKMINI MANDIR PANDHARPUR (SHRI VITHOBA MANDIR)

                The main entrance of Lord Vithal's Temple is facing towards the Chandrabhaga or Bhima river. Samadhi of Namadev and Chokamela is at the entrance.  A small Vinayagar Sannathi is present inside the temple as first Shrine. Then, a small hall where bhajans and dances are performed.  A small Shrine for Garudan & Anjaneyar,  then, after climbing a few steps, we can see the face of Lord Vithal. The Lord Panduranga,  we can touch the feet of Lord. There are Shrines for Shir Rukmini, Sathyabama Devi, Radhika  Devi (Rahi), Lord Narashimar,  Lord Maha Vishnu,  Goddess  Mahalakshmi, Ganesha, Annapoorani.  Then  we visited other temples /places in Pandharpur.

First we went to Vishnupad Mandir situated on the banks of river Chandrabagha. 

Vishnupad Temple in Pandharpur

                The Visnupada Temple, which is nearly a kilometer south of the Pundalik Temple, is one of the most renowned pilgrim and tourist place and is visited by several pilgrims every year. The shape of the shrine is like a large hall with large sixteen pillars supporting the ceiling. Several postures of Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu are portrayed on the pillars. As Vishnupad Temple is located in middle of the river, the footsteps gets partially submerged in water, when the water level rising during the monsoon. Sometimes, the whole temple is under water for about three months during heavy rains. The main festival conducted in Vishnupad Temple is in the month of Margashirsha. On the first day of Margashirsha the sandals of Vitthal are taken to Vishnupad Temple and the last day of the same month the chariot of Lord Vitthal is brought to this temple in a grand procession. Vishnupad temple is also famous for another ritual ‘Shraddha’ in which the pilgrims perform rituals rites for their late relatives and their ancestors ( Just like GAYA Vishnupadam).

                From Vishnupad temple we proceeded to Shri Pundlik temple. This is also situated on the banks of Chndrabagha river. We have to walk around half a kilometre to reach the temple and the river bank from the Vithal temple.

    Pundalik Mandir, Pandharpur

                Pundalik or Pundarik is a central figure in the legends of the  God  Vithoba  generally considered a  Vaishnava deity identified with the deities Vishnu and Krishna.  He is credited to have brought Vithoba to Phandarpur, where Vithoba's central shrine stands today. Pundalik was one of the earliest Kundalini Yoga practitioners. As He was the master of Kundalini Yoga, people used to call him "Kundalik". Later, after several years, Kundalik become Pundalik. Just like Varanasi we can see small many temples on banks of Chandrabhagh river.

                   Then we started our return journey to Pune ( 4.30 hrs drive) Reached Pune by 6.30 PM

Next day morning by 8.30 AM from PUNE we started for RANJANGAUN town nearly 60 KMs from Pune - Ahemed Nagar highway. We visited Shri Maha Ganapathi temple. Very neat, peaceful temple. Chendur Ganapathi in sannathi. This temple is one of the ASHTA VINAYAK temples in Maharashtra.

                                       Ashtavinayaka or eight Ganesh templesare are located in Maharashtra state of India, All the Eight Ashtavinayak Templs are Swayambhu (self-originated) and Jagrut. These Temples are situated at Morgaon, Ranjangaon, Theur, Lenyadri, Ojhar, Siddhatek, Pali and Mahad. These places are at Pune, Ahamadnagar and Raigad district. Of the 8 vinayakas, 6 are in Pune district area and 2 in Raigad district but still comparatively nearer to the Pune areas

·         Moreshwar Temple at Morgaon

• Siddhivinayak Temple at Siddhatek
• Ballaleshwar Temple at Pali
• VaradVinayak Temple at Mahad
• Chintamani Temple at Theur
• Girijatmaj Temple at Lenyadri
• 
  
  
  

• Vighnahar Temple at Ozar
• 

  ·         Mahaganapati Temple at Ranjangaon

We were able to see only  three temple - Ranjangaun, Lenyadri and Ozar. Lehynadri has to climb about 700 to 800 ft height by stone steps. We had darshan from ground level only.

We returned back to Chennai 0n 9th of May 2023 evening from Pune comfortably

We really enjoyed whole trip because all went well as planned.

S.RAMASAMY  ( S.SRIRAM)

Ph: 9841048152   E.Mail: sharuinsurance@gmail.com