Vitthalapur beckons faithful from across state for Ashadhi Ekadashi

Time of India

2 days ago

Bicholim:
The Shri Vitthal Rakhumai Satyabhama Temple at Vitthalapur, Sanquelim, is set to celebrate Ashadhi Ekadashi on Sunday. Temple purohit Ramapati Pitre said the shrine's history spans more than 550 years, and the celebration attracts devotees from across the state.
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Before this temple was established, a miracle had occurred, Pitre said. A pious member of the Rane family was on the Pandharpur Vari.
'It is said that after he offered prayers to Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur, the idols of the deities Vitthal, Rakhumai, and Satyabhama fell into his lap,' Pitre said. 'These very idols were brought to Vitthalapur in Sanquelim by some devotees and were installed at a place called Pandharini, 3-4km from this temple.'
Since the original site was in a dense forest, devotees faced hardships in approaching the idols to pay obeisance.
'Around that time, a businessman called Porob had a vision that his ship out on the sea would sink. Praying for his ship's safety, he vowed to construct a temple of Lord Vitthal at Vitthalapur,' Pitre said. 'His ship returned safely. He then went on to build a wooden temple. That structure deteriorated over time.'
Pitre explained that eventually, a daughter from the Rane family married into the Shinde family of Gwalior, and constructed the temple that stands today.
The priest said that the temple's idols are similar to those at Pandharpur. Besides, the temples of Lords Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Maruti, and Goddess Bhagwati make the location a Panchayatan Devasthan, a sanctified home to five deities.
The Ashadhi Ekadashi festival concludes on the day of Trayodashi during which the Gopal Kalo or Chikhal Kalo festival is celebrated on the banks of the Valvonti river.
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This celebration draws droves of children.
During this festival, devotees are served ayurvedic juice in the form of tirtha, which is believed to be helpful in curing some diseases.
As festivities along the river approach, Mayem MLA Premendra Shet said the banks of the Valvanti will get a new look at the cost of Rs 2 crore, under the aegis of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.
He said work will begin after the rains in two phases.
For now, Ashadhi Ekadashi has been celebrated on the premises of Dr BK Hedgewar Vidhyamandir, Karapur-Tisk, with pomp and fervour. As many as 600 students went on a walking pilgrimage from the school to Lord Vitthal temple. Students of govt primary school at Maulingem also undertook the pilgrimage.