Lord Vitthal and Pandharpur

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Mahatma Gandhi says, "Temples are so many bridges between the unseen, invisible and indifinable God and ourselves who are infinitesimal drops in the infinite ocean. We. the human family, are not all philosophers, we are of the earth, very earthy, and we are not satisfied with contemplating the invisible God. Somehow, or other we want something which, we can touch, something which we can see, something before which we can kneel down. It does not matter whether it is a book or an empty stone buildings inhabited by numerous figures. A book will satisfy some, an empty buildings will satisfy others, and many others will not be satisfied unless they see something inhabiting these empty building. Then I ask you to approach these temples not as if they represented a body of superstitions. If you will approach these temples with faith in them, you will know that each time you visit them you will come away from them purified, and with your faith more and more in the living God.

For the faithful Hindu his incarnation is without blemish. Krishna of the Hindu devotee, is a perfect being. He is unconcerned with the harsh judgement of the critics. Millions of devotees of Krishna and Ram have had their lives trans- formed through their contemplation of God by these names. How this phenomenon happens I do not know. It is a mystery, I have not attempted to prove it. Though my reason and my heart long ago realised the highest attribute and name of God as Truth. I recognize truth by the name of Ram. In the darkest hour of my trial, that one name has saved me and is still saving me." Templeworship spritual the felt spirit that want of human race.

It is very clear that lacks of pilgrims are going every year to Pandharpur, showed an actual living and popular religious phenomenon. Vitthal and Varkari cult have got universal importance. Every year number of European students, historians and social critics are visiting Pandharpur. God Vitthal has become an attraction to human race. Varkari cult is becoming more wide. In Maharashtra itself, there have been few comprehensive studies on Varkari movement. The Ramdasis, the Nathas, and Mahanbhavas have been the topics of monographs.

Some Scholars have brought to our Notice that the word Vitthal has come from Kannada word Bitta and I have shown the consequences of this opinion.