Solapur - Gateway to Many Holy Places (Pilgrimage Tours)

The regular readers of my blog will be surprised while reading this blog post. Unlike my usual blog posts which are about the holy and pigrimage places, this post is all about a city and its importance of being a hub connecting different places. This city is a great connecting place or gateway to many holy places that includes Akkalkot, Gangapur, Pandharpur, Tuljapur etc. Beside this there is a a famous Siddheshwar Temple in the city of Solapur.

Many pilgrimages can be planned surrounding the city of Solapur. One can make Solapur city for their stay beside the local sightseeing. One can plan a pilgrimage of 2-3 days. One can stay in Solapur and then plan a day's tour to visit Akkalkot, Gangapur. One day can be planned for visits to Tuljapur and Pandharpur. One day for some rest and local Solapur city darshan.

It is a well developed city with all amenities. You can find many eating places across the city, but one I cherish the most is eating at Shree Datta Bhojanalaya. This is the place where I find good food at affordable prices. The food is also delicious.

Solapur City is some 400 kms from Mumbai and takes little over 6 hrs by road. Lots of buses (private and public transports both) are available. There are also good number of trains going to Solapur from Mumbai. Siddheshwar Express is one such milestone train between Mumbai and Solapur.

So what are you waiting for plan your visit to this city and/or a pilgrimage surrounding Solapur.

To book luxury bus tickets to Solapur or know more, please visit Sonal Travels or call Mr. Vijay Mane on 022-2340 9745 / 9869554222.

Pandharpur Pilgrimage - Vithoba Darshan

Known as “Sourthern Kashi of India”, Pandharpur proudly hosts the “Kuladivat” of Maharashtra State- Shree Vitthal and Rukmini.

Also known by the other names, Pandurang or Vithoba it is supposed to be The Supreme God of The Universe for all the Maharashtrians and an incarnation of Lord Shiva and Vishnu.

It’s praises were sung and written by the most auspicious saints of Maharashtra- Saint Dnyaneshwar, Saint Tukaram, Saint Namdev, Saint Purandardas, Chikha Mela, Janabai and many others.

In the temple of Vithoba, “Pad-Sparsha-Darshan” is a special ceremony. Irrespective of caste any devotee can enter the sanctum sanctorum and can place his/ her head at the feet of Vitthal. The Bhagwat Dharma sect is followed in Pandharpur, with full spirit.

The river Bhima, better known as “Chandrabhaga” flows through the city. Large number of devotees walks from the whole of Maharashtra, to celebrate the “Ashadhi Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi” twice every year. The palanquins (Palkhis) of various saints from different locations come together at Wakhri, 5 kilometers away from Pandharpur.

Although not religiously very crucial, certain daily rituals do form the routine of Bhaghwat Dharma, at Pandharpur. These signify the devotedness of the followers towards it’s deity. These rituals include Kakad Arati (Early Morning Prayers) , Mahapuja (Mega-Worship), Mahanaivedya (Food offering), Poshakh (putting the robe) Dhoop Arati, Padya Pooja, etc. All this is performed in main Vitthal temple. As one enters from Namdeo-Payri (The Step in memory of Saint Namdeo) and comes out of the Westward Exit (the Paschim Dwar) one crosses various other temples- as many as 25, in the same premise.

Ganesh Mandir, Garud Mandir, Ekmukh Dattatraya Mandir, Satyabhama Mandir, Kanhopatra Mandir to name a few.

Geographical and Traveling Information

From main Solapur city, Pandharpur is at a distance of 72 kilometers and is well connected by roads to practically every city in Maharashtra, railway track also exists. Pandharpur falls on Miraj-Kurduwadi-Latur track. From Solapur numerous local level transport buses commute to Pandharpur.

Major Activities

At Pandharpur, every Wednesday is regarded as an auspicious day and Ekadashi- auspicious day of the month. Four major festivals- Ashadhi Kartitki, Magh and Chaitra Ekadashis are yearly celebrated. Out of these, 1st two attract a crowd of about 8 to 10 lakhs.

Apart from these, the temple premise also celebrates Gudhi Padawa, Ram-Navami, Dasehara and Deepavali festivals.