Vitthal Rukhmini Temple

• Location: Situated in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, on the banks of the Bhima River (also known as Chandrabhaga).

• Deity: The temple is dedicated to Lord Vitthal, a form of Lord Vishnu (or Lord Krishna), and his consort Rukmini.

• It holds a significant place in the Vaishnavite tradition as one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams (holy shrines).

Historical Significance:

• Foundation: The temple was originally constructed by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire between 1108 and 1152 CE. The king was influenced by Pundalik, a famous devotee of Lord Krishna, to build the shrine.

• Inscriptions: An inscription from 1237 CE by Hoysala King Vira Someshwara grants the temple a village for its maintenance.

• Architecture: The temple was built following the Hemadpanti style of architecture in the second half of the 13th century, but it was destroyed during invader attacks.

• The current structure, rebuilt in the 17th century, was influenced by the Deccan style of architecture, featuring dome motifs and lobed arches, and was contributed to by the Peshwas of Pune, the Shindes of Gwalior, and the Holkars of Indore.

Modern Controversy:

• Language Row: A Marathi-Hindi language dispute has emerged at the temple recently. This conflict highlights the growing tension over the use of regional languages in religious and cultural spaces, with some stakeholders pushing for Marathi to be the primary language of worship and administration, while others advocate for Hindi.

Progressive Milestone:

• The Vitthal Rukhmini Temple gained national recognition in 2014 when it became the first shrine in India to allow women from backward categories to serve as priests, breaking traditional barriers and promoting inclusivity in religious practices.

• The Vitthal Rukhmini Temple continues to be a central figure in Maharashtra's religious and cultural life, with millions of devotees visiting every year.

• The controversy around the Marathi-Hindi language issue reflects the broader socio-political dynamics of the state, emphasizing the importance of language in shaping regional identity.