Vitthala

Vitthala, also known as Vithoba or Vitthal, is a form of the Hindu god Krishna revered primarily in Maharashtra. He is considered a manifestation of Krishna, and in some traditions a form of Vishnu. He is most closely associated with the town of Pandharpur in Solapur district, where the Vitthala Temple houses the main statue of the deity, a standing form typically depicted with hands on the hips.

The Pandharpur temple complex includes a sanctuary dedicated to Vitthala and a separate shrine to his consort Rukmini. The temple's origins are uncertain, but it became a major pilgrimage site during the medieval period and grew central to the Bhakti movement in the region.

In Marathi culture, the Vithoba tradition is linked to the Warkari devotion; saints Namdev, Tukaram, and Dnyaneshwar contributed abhang poetry and hymns. The annual pilgrimage, or Wari, from various places culminates at Pandharpur during Ashadhi Ekadashi, drawing tens of thousands of pilgrims.

The worship of Vitthala continues in modern times with temples across Maharashtra and Karnataka. The tradition emphasizes inclusive devotion and communal singing, and Vitthala remains a symbol of regional religious identity and cultural heritage.