of nights. They were all tired and soon fell asleep-except Pundalik who could not sleep. Just before daybreak he saw a group of beautiful, young women, dressed in dirty clothes, enter the ashrama, clean the floor, fetch water and wash the swami's clothes. Then they entered the inner room of the ashrama, and came out in beautifully clean clothes and passing near Pundalik, they vanished.

Next night he saw the same sight again. Pundalik threw himself at their feet and begged them to tell who they were. They said they were Ganga, Yamuna and other holy rivers of India in which the Pilgrims bathed and washed off sins. Their clothes became dirty by the sins of the bathing pilgrims.

"And because of your ill-treatment of your parents," they said, "You are the greatest sinner."

This brought about a complete change in him and he became the most devoted son. Now the parents' rode the horses while the son and his wife walked by their side. By their love and affection, the son and his wife urged the parents to give up the pilgrimage and return to Dandirvan.

One day it so happened that Lord Krishna, the King of Dwarka, while feeling lonely, was reminded of his early days in Mathura. He particularly remembered his sports with the milkmaids, the cowherd boys, and his love, Radha. Though she was dead, he longed to see her again. By his divine powers he brought her back to life and seated her by his side. Just then his queen, Rukmini, entered the room. When Radha did not rise to pay her respect, Rukmini left Dwarka in anger and hid herself in Dandirvan forest. After some days, Lord Krishna set off in search of Rukmini. He first went to Mathura, then to Gokul. He met the milkmaids and cowherd boys. They too joined in the search. They went to Mount Govardhan in her search.

At last they reached the banks of the river Bhima in the Deccan. Krishna left his companions at Goplapura, and he himself entered Dandirvan forest alone in search of her. At last he found her and managed to calm her. Krishna and Rukmini came to Pundalik's ashrama.

But at that time Pundalik was busy attending to his parents. Though he knew Lord Krishna had come to see him, he refused to pay his respect to the god before his duty towards his parents was done. He, however, threw a brick outside for lord Krishna to stand upon. Impressed by Pundalik's devotion to his parents, Lord Krishna did not mind the delay. Standing on the brick he waited for Pundalik. When Pundalik came out and begged God's pardon, Lord Krishna replied that far from being displeased, he was pleased with his love for his parents. Lord Krishna then ordered him to worship Vithoba, or God who stood upon a brick.

An imposing temple was built at the place where Krishna and Pundalik had met. Inside the temple stands Krishna's image on a brick. By his side stands the image of Rukmini.This temple covering a vast area has a total of six gates.

The eastern entrance to this temple is known as the Namdev gate (after the great 13th century Vaishnava saint). The sanctum enshrines the standing image of Vithoba also known as Panduranga, Pandhari or Vitthala. Stylistically the image dates back to the 5th century. There are inscriptions in this temple dating back to the 13th century which place origin of this shrine to the 6th century.

The city is located on the banks of Bhima river in Solapur district, Maharashtra

History of Pandharpur
Long ago there was a brave king. His name was ‘Muchkung’. In the battle of Gods and Devils, Gods demanded help of the king. Making a great feat the king gave a great victory to the Gods, favorably disposed on his deed God told him to demand blessing. The king said, I am very tired, I want to rest now. If anyone brings an obstacle in my rest, he will be burnt by my eyes. Then he slept in cave, in the incarnation of Shree Krishna. The strongest cannot die devil ‘Kalyavan’ who by any weapons. Shree Krishna by trick brought him in where the king Muchkund and hide in the darkness. Kalyavan came in the cave. He saw the shawl of Shree Krishna, so he gave a strong kick to the king. As soon as the king Muchkund awakened from his sleep, he burnt the devil by his eyes. Then Bhagavan Shree Krishna gave darshan to Muchkund. He told the king all events. Then the king Muchkund begged to the Lord stand him as it is. Our Lord Shree Krishna has him front of Muchkund, promised his to complete his desire in the next life.

Thus the king Muchkund was borne as the name of great devotee Pundlik. He lived in ‘Dindir forest’ which was near to Pandharpur. To complet the promise shree Krishna came in Dindir forest, to find Rukmini. Pundalik hated his father and mother. His wife was an obstinate woman. He was set off to Kashi pilgrimage with his wife. On the road he lived in the Hermitage of Kukkut Muni. Kukkut Muni was a great devotee of his parents. He got a great strength by servicing of his parents. Many sinful persons take bath in the river. So they want to become soared, Hence our sacred rivers Ganga. Yamuna and Saraswati serviced in this heritage. It was experienced by Pundlik that the rivers perched. He got knowledge and then he took a bath of service to His parents. Then he returned to Pandhari. He devoted his entire life in the service of his parents.

Seeing of his devotion about his parents our Lord delighted on him. He came near the Pundlik’s place, where he lived. He saw Pundlik lost in the service of his parents. Lord gave him darshan and blessings. Pundlik prayed him to stand on brick stone and wait. Lord approved his pledge. Pundlik put a stone brick for standing. The bank of Bhima River means the second ‘Dwarka’. Our Lord Shree Krisna has changd his form and become Shree Vitthal. From that time our Lord Vitthal has been standing on brick of his devotee Shree Pundlik. Vitthal means our Lord Shree Krishna.