Pandharpur Vitthala
CHANDRABHAGA RIVER
We have to visit the Holy Chandrabhaga River situated at Pandharpur, at least once in our life time, in order to get the entire grace of Sri Krishna Bhagavan.
Chandrabhaga River is considered as the most sacred River, since the famous Sri Vittal Rukmini Mandir is situated nearby this Holy River. Apart from this wonderful temple, some other small temples are also surrounded near this River, and there is also a temple dedicated to Sri Bhakta Pundalik, a staunch devotee of Lord Panduranga, and in fact, Lord Krishna took the Panduranga Avatar only to please his devotee Pundalik. This Holy River is located amidst good natural scenery and greenery, and even other religious people used to visit this famous River, due to the attraction of this place.
Most of the devotees used to take bath in this holy River, before they proceed to the Panduranga Temple, Pandharpur. It is also believed that still Lord Krishna used to take bath on this Holy River along with his consort Ma Rukmini during full moon days.
It is also believed that even the Vishnu devotees like Narada, Prahalada and Dhruva had taken bath in this Holy River, and due to that, this River had attained more sanctity and purity. Devotees who come to visit this place, used to take Photo and Video shoots in order to watch the beautiful location in future also! Boating facilities are also available at an affordable cost, and pilgrims can make use of it, in order to bring happiness in their life.
During evening times, some staunch Panduranga devotees would even show Arati to this Holy River, in order to bring good fortunes in their lives. With regard to its significance, the great River Chandrabagha is considered to be as auspicious like the Holy Ganges River, and those who take bath in this River would get relieved from their sins and diseases. Pitru Tharpanam Rituals would be done by the devotees during Amavasya days (No Moon Days) at the banks of this River, in order to settle their ancestral debts and to remove the thirst and hunger of their ancestors. We can find few devotees, who used to offer rice and grains to the fishes which would sail on this Holy River.
Similar to visiting the holy places like Kasi and Rameswaram, devotees can visit this place also, in order to purify themselves. It is also mentioned in the Holy Texts, that Lord Krishna itself dwells in the form of the Holy River Chandrabhaga, and we ourselves can realise about the significance of this River, once we take bath on this Holy River.
Some of the staunch devotees of Lord Panduranga are as follows:-