Pandharpur is a well known pilgrimage town, city on the banks of Chandrabhaga River in Solāpur district, Maharashtra, India. Pandharpur is situated on 17°11′ north latitude and 75°11′ east longitude in Solapur District. The Vithoba temple attracts about a million Hindu pilgrims during the major yātrā (pilgrimage) in Ashadh (June–July). A small temple of Shri. Vitthal-Rukmini is also located, which is as old as the main Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir, in Isbavi area of Pandharpur known as Wakhari Va Korti Devalayas and also known as Visava Mandir. The Bhakti Saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is said to have spent a period of 7 days in city at the Vithobha Temple. It is said that the deity Vithoba has been worshipped by many saints of Maharashtra. Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram, Sant Namdev, Sant Eknath, Sant Nivruttinath, Sant muktabai, Sant Chokhamela, Sant Savata Mali, Sant Narhari Sonar, Sant Gora Kumbhar and Sant Gajanan Maharaj are a few of those prominent saints.
Mahadwar
Is main locality in city and is main market place. Mahadwar leads to main ghat of pandharpur that is ” Mahadwar ghat”. On mahadwar ghat there is temple of bhakta pundlik. It is said that lord krishna came to pandharpur to meet his disciple bhakt pundlikwho was busy serving his parents that time, so he offered brick ( vit) for vitthal to stand some time. Time from when vitthal is standing is said to be 28 yug. So in aarati of vitthal it is mentioned ” yuge atthavis (28), vithevari ubha “.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census of India, Pandharpur had a population of 98,000. Males constituted 52% of the population and females, 48%. 71% of the population was literate; 78% males and 64% females.
Marathi is the official and main language of people.
It is a major holy place in Maharashtra and it is also called South Kashi (Dakshin Kashi) in Maharashtra. It is famous for the Lord Vitthal temple situated on the bank of Bhima river. Bhima river is also known as Chandrabhaga as it takes shape like crescent moon near the town. There are 4 yatra’s (wari- gathering of pilgrims/devotees) per year, Chaitri, Ashadhi, Kartiki and Maghi, of which Ashadhi and Kartiki are the main yatra’s. Devotees comes from all over Maharashtra. They usually come walking hundred of miles, all the way from their hometown.
Connectivity
Pandharpur is close to many larger towns including Kurduvadi, Solapur, Latur, and Pune. It has its own railway station. Other closeby stations include Kurduvadi, Modnimb, Sangola, and Mahol railway stations.