Pandharpur is a holy place of Shri.Vitthal and Shri.Rukmini. It is also known as the Southern Kashi of India and Kuldaivat of Maharashtra State. It is located at a distance of 72 kms by road from Solapur District headquarters. The Pandharpur Railway Station falls on the Miraj-Kurduwadi-Latur railway track.
`Padsparsha Darshan` is the unique feature of Vithoba Temple. Irrespective of the caste and creed every devotee can enter the Sanctum Sanctorum and can place his/her head on the feet of Lord Vitthala. This tradition is followed nowhere in India. The Bhagawat Dharma is being followed with full spirit in Pandharpur.
pandharpur
Solapur
Shri.Siddheshwar is the Gramdaivat of Solapur city. A Siddheshwar Temple is located at the heart of the city. It is surrounded by a large water tank which resembles as view of an island. The brief history of Shri.Siddheshwar runs like this. There was a great saint Shri.Siddaram, who preached the teachings of Shri.Basaweshwara. A young girl, inspired by the teachings of this saint wished to marry the saint. Shri.Siddaram being a brahamachari denied to marry her and gave permission to marry with his Yogadanda. The same marriage function is celebrated every year on the Makar Sankranti for three days on Bhogi, Sankrant and Kinkrant. The Nandi Dhwajas are presumed as Bride and Groom for the marriage. This festival falls around 14th Jan. every year. A fare popularly known as Gadda Jatra is arranged for fifteen days during this period.
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Akkalkot
Akkalkot is a Holy place of Shri.Swami Samarth Maharaj. It is located at a distance of 38 kms. by road from Solapur District headquarters. This Saint is believed to be the reincarnation of Lord Dattatraya. The Samadhi of this Saint is worshipped by the devotees. The Death Anniversary is celebrated on Chaitra Shuddha Trayodashi every year. Large number of devotees visits the place everyday.
The present temple is built around famous banyan tree. This is the same banyan tree sitting under which Shri.Swami Maharaj used to meditate and preach the followers. The temple consists of main temple, sabha mandap and accommodation. Annacchatra (free meals to devotees) is organized daily (two times in day) by temple authorities.
The Swami Samarth Maharaj came to Akkalkot at the beginning of Shake 1779. The total period of reincarnation of Swamiji as the fourth Avataar of Shri. Datta is forty years of which he spent 21 years in Akkalkot.
From the historic point of view Shri.Swami Maharaj brought to an end his avatar in Shake 1800. But after three months, he resurrected and appeared before the faithful in Kashi (Varanasi).
The holy Samadhi of Shri. Swamiji is located in the house of Shri. Cholappa in the place already reserved for it before his bodily demise. This is known as Samadhimath.
The spiritual fearless slogan in Marathi `BHIU NAKOS MI TUJHYA PATHISHI AAHE` (Don’t fear, I am with you) is given by Shri. Samarth Swami Maharaj himself.
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Karmala
Karmala is famous for the temple of Shri. Kamaladevi.
There is a significance of no. 96 for the temple.
The Kamala Bhavani Temple is built by Rao Raje Nimbalkar in 1727. It is considered to be the second seat of Tulajapur Tulaja Bhavani. Built in Hemdpanthi style, the temple has entry doors in East South and North directions. The uniqueness of this temple architecture is, the temple is having well of 96 steps. The temple is constructed with 96 pillars.
Navaratra festival is celebrated with great devotion. The annual festival (yatra) is held during Kartik pornima to Chaturthi.
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Barshi
Barshi is famous for the BHAGWANT MANDIR.
Bhagwant temple is dedicated to Shri Vishnu. The uniqueness of this temple is that, this is the only one temple of Shri Vishnu all over India having Shri Vishnu`s name as BHAGAWNT. The temple is built in Hemadpanthi style in the year 1245 A.D. There are four entries to the temple from all the four directions, but the main entry is east-facing. There is one GARUDKHAMB in front of Garbhagraha. The idol of main deity Shri Bhagwant is in black stone having SHANKH, CHAKRA and GADA in the hands and picture of devotee king Ambrish below the right hand. Shri Laxmi is on the back of Bhagwant idol. Shivlinga is there on the forehead and marks of Footsteps of Bhrigu Rishi on the chest of the deity.
There are old records showing the grants released by Shri Nanasaheb Peshve in the year 1760, by East India Company in 1823 and by British Government in 1784. The temple management is looked after by a Panch Committee. Badves carry out the work of daily rituals of the temple. The daily rituals include Kakada Arti, Nitya Puja, Mahapuja in the morning, Dhuparti in the evening and Shejarti in the night.
Large no. of devotees visits during the Chaitri, Maghi, Aashadi & kartiki (Hindu Months) Ekadashi. During the Aashadi & Kartiki Ekadashi a large procession is taken out covering the town with Bhagwant riding on Garuda. A CHABINA is taken out on every full moon day.
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Mangalwedha
Mangalwedha is famous for Sant Damaji. A temple by the name of Shri.Sant Damaji is located in the heart of the city.
