Vitthal-Rukmini Temple

Nandwal, Taluka Karveer, District Kolhapur

The city of Karveer, famous as Dakshin Kashi, is one of the three and a half Shakti Peethas. Ten kilometers from this sacred site, on the Radhanagari road, lies the village of Nandwal. The former name of this village was Nandgram, which later became Nandapur. It is believed that this temple in the village, which holds ancient history, is the true abode of Lord Vitthal. Devotees hold the faith that Lord Vitthal stays here at night and departs for Pandharpur in the morning. This temple is known as Prati-Pandharpur.

Dajiba Joshirao of the Joshirao family of Kolhapur, renowned as a scholar, poet, and astrologer, composed the text ‘Karveer Mahatmya’ in Marathi during the period from 1821 to 1837, following the end of the Peshwa era. This text provides information about the pilgrimage site of Nandwal. It mentions that Sage Agastya had the darshan of Vitthal, accompanied by Rukmini and Satyabhama, at this place. Furthermore, the text states that many of Lord Krishna’s childhood pastimes took place in this very village. According to this scripture, Nandwal means Nandgram, that is, the village of Nanda. Furthermore, the nearby village of Vashi was Vasudevgram, the village of Vasudeva, while in the village of Gokul Shirgaon in Kolhapur, Krishna [performed] Yamuna

He had brought the flow of the river. On the banks of the Yamuna here, Krishna revealed many of His childhood pastimes. Since Nandgaon was the capital of Nanda, Krishna also resided here, and many of Krishna’s pastimes took place in this village, as some scholars state with reference to this scripture.

The legend regarding this temple is that four yugas before Lord Vitthal resided in Pandharpur, He resided in Nandwal. There are three sthalapuranas available concerning Vitthal and Pandharpur. These are: the Skanda Pandurang Mahatmya, the Pandurang Mahatmya from the Padma Purana, and the Pandurang Mahatmya from the Vishnu Purana. According to the renowned Vitthal scholar and great researcher Ra. Chi. Dhere, the Skanda Pandurang Mahatmya was composed before the time of Hemadri Pandit, and it was primarily through this text that the sanctity of Vitthal in Pandharpur was established on a firm foundation. Although Nandwal is not mentioned in these texts, according to the local sthalamahatmya, Nandwal is the resting place of Lord Vitthal. Everything that exists in Pandharpur can still be seen in a different form in Nandwal today. Just like the Chandrabhaga River, there is the Bhima River in Nandwal. Near the Bhima River, there is a swayambhu pindi, and beside it is a pond. As soon as one places an ear to the pindi, the sound of water can be heard. Directly in front of Lord Vitthal, in the center of the village, is the temple of Pundalik. This temple, built in the Hemadpanti style, is ancient, and just like in Pandharpur, there is a gomukh here as well. Exactly as in Pandharpur, there is a Gopal-Krishna temple, and the idol of Gada-Chakradhar Swami is present in the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Vitthal. In the temple premises, there is a beautiful, ancient Tulsi Vrindavan. In the central part of this Tulsi Vrindavan, there is a sculpture of a tortoise.

As one enters the temple premises, ancient stone slabs can be seen arranged on one side. Among them is a hero stone (Viragal), of which only the bottom two tiers remain. The lower tier features a depiction of a battle scene, while the tier above shows celestial damsels (Devanganas) carrying the fallen warrior. Beside it stands a cylindrical stone in the form of a Linga. Here, a relief sculpture of Lord Ganesha is carved onto a stone slab. In this same area, there is an ancient idol of Lord Vishnu. Next to it stands a large sculpture of a celestial damsel. All these idols are weathered and in a fragmented state.

Upon entering through the main gate from here, there is a spacious assembly hall constructed of cement concrete. This was built at a later period. It features large, tall cement pillars and ample space around them for devotees to sit. Beautiful paintings of Krishna and Vishnu are depicted on the walls of the assembly hall. As one proceeds further inside from here, an idol of Keshav carved into a black stone slab is visible. Pictures of Saint Dnyaneshwar, Saint Tukaram, and Gajanan Maharaj have been placed on the upper side. Immediately upon moving inside from the assembly hall, one reaches the entrance of the outer pavilion. The door frame carved from black stone and the crescent-shaped stone slab on the archway offer a glimpse of the ancient architectural style. An idol of Lord Ganesha is carved at the lintel position above the entrance. Inside, there are large, intricately carved stone pillars. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, there are exquisite idols of Vitthal, Rukmini, and Rahi, all sculpted from black stone. Near the feet of Rahi, there is a beautiful idol of Lord Ganesha. The back side of the sanctum sanctorum features beautiful carvings on a golden sheet. Circular floral patterns are carved along the edges of the ceiling above.

A grand Dindi procession is organized here on the day of Ashadhi Ekadashi. Dindis arriving from various villages participate in this procession. They first perform a circumambulation of the Mahalakshmi Temple and then proceed towards the Vitthal Temple in Nandwal. A grand Ringan ceremony takes place at Puikhadi between 12:00 and 1:00 in the afternoon. Sevakaris distribute Khichdi, groundnut pods, Rajgira ladoos, and bananas as Prasad to the devotees. Amidst saffron flags, Tulsi Vrindavans, and the rhythmic beats of Taal and Mridang, the continuous chanting of the name of Vitthal resonates. Just like on Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi, devotees come for the Darshan of Lord Vitthal on the Ekadashi of every month.

Useful Information

• 15 kilometers away from Kolhapur
• ST bus facility available from Kolhapur
• Private vehicles can reach the temple.
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities are not available in the vicinity.
• Contact: Temple Office, Mob. 9323848596, 9881446056