Pandharpur’s Vitthal Mandir Open For Devotees 24/7; VIP and Online Darshan Suspended
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Pandharpur: Vitthal Mandir Open For Devotees 24/7; VIP and Online Darshan Suspended In a move to accommodate the influx of devotees during the Ashadhi pilgrimage, Pandharpur’s Vithuraya will be available for darshan 24 hours a day from July 7 to July 26.
The decision was announced by the Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple Committee’s Deputy Chairman, Gahininath Maharaj Osekar.
With this new arrangement, approximately 50,000 devotees will be able to touch the feet of the deity, and an additional 50,000 to 60,000 will have the opportunity for visual darshan daily. To prepare for this continuous darshan, the deity’s resting silver bed was ceremoniously removed, and soft cotton pads were placed behind Lord Vitthal and Rukmini Mata to prevent fatigue.
Traditionally, during the Ashadhi and Kartiki pilgrimages, the deity stands 24 hours a day to ensure all devotees have the opportunity for darshan. The removal of the deity’s resting bed from the inner sanctum is performed following ritualistic worship. This custom has been observed for hundreds of years by the Warkari community.
Starting today, all royal honors and privileges have been suspended, and the deity is solely focused on the devotees’ darshan. The temple’s Executive Officer, Rajendra Shelke, outlined the daily schedule: the deity’s bath and morning rituals will take place at 4:30 AM, during which darshan will be closed for one hour. Additionally, darshan will be paused for 15 minutes at noon for the Mahanaivedya and again at 9 PM for offering lemon water to the deity. Other than these brief interruptions, Lord Vitthal will be available for darshan round-the-clock.
This decision ensures that the beloved deity will be continuously available to the thousands of pilgrims flocking to Pandharpur for the Ashadhi pilgrimage.
