Story of Lord Vitthal and Krishna Devotee Pundalik: This temple located in Pandharpur, Maharashtra is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Here Shri Krishna is called Vithoba. That is why it is also called Vithoba Temple. This Hindu temple is known as the Vitthal-Rukmini temple. In Pandharpur, in honor of Lord Vishnu’s avatar Vithoba and his wife Rukmani, this city gather 4 times a year to celebrate festivals.
Story of Lord Vitthal and Krishna devotee Pundalik:
In the 6th century, the saint became Pundalik who was an ardent devotee of the parents. His presiding deity was Shri Krishna. There is a long story behind parents being devotees. There was a time when he left his devotion to his Ishtadeva and expelled the parents from the house, but later he regretted and he became absorbed in the devotion of parents. At the same time, he also started doing devotion to Shri Krishna. Pleased with his devotion, one day Shri Krishna appeared at the door with Rukmaniji. Then the Lord called him with affection and said, ‘Pundalik, we have come to receive your hospitality.’
At that time Pundalik was pressing his father’s legs, the father’s head was on his lap and his Pundalik’s back was towards the doorway. Pundalik said that my father is sleeping, so I am not able to welcome you right now. You have to wait till the morning. So you stand on this brick and wait and they were absorbed in pressing their legs again.
God obeyed the command of his devotee and stood on the bricks by putting both hands on the waist and adding feet. Due to standing on brick, he was called Vitthal and his form became popular. They are also called Vithoba. The brick is called Vith or Vitho in Maharashtra.
After opening the father’s sleep, the Pundalik started looking at the door but by then the Lord had taken the idol form. Pundalik enshrined that Vitthal form in his house. This place is called Pandharpur in Pundalikpur or Apabhramsa form, which is the most famous pilgrimage in Maharashtra. Pundalik is also considered a historical founder of the Varkari sect, who worships Lord Vitthal. The memorial of Bhaktaraja Pundalik remains here. A fair is held here every year in memory of this incident.
