Founded by Tukaram Maharaj nearly 400 years back, this temple—Prati-Pandharpur (Pandharpur temple’s replica) — was built to facilitate aged devotees who could not trek to Pandharpur in Solapur.

“We still follow the exact rituals as it is being done at the original temple at Pandharpur,” declared S G Naik, president of the temple’s trust.

He added, “These rituals include Kakad Arati (Early Morning Prayers), Mahapuja (Mega-Worship), Mahanaivedya (Food offering), Poshakh (putting the robe) Dhoop Arati, Padya Pooja, etc. All this is performed at the Vitthal temple as well as here.” The fair which begun on Sunday afternoon would go on till Monday midnight with groups of performers who would continue to sing Lord Vithal’s bhajans for almost 36 hours. 

The atmosphere at the temple here has started to fill up with sounds of Vithoba Che Navane Chang Bhala and Jai Jai Vithoba as the sea of devotees gear up to catch the glimpses of the God.

Members of the Warkaris sect decked up in the old-fashioned warkari style equipped with tanpuras and dholaks have gathered in the temple. Members of this sect trek to Pandharpur temple annually without breaking its traditions.

“For people who cannot go to Pandharpur come here for darshans. The seven-hundred-year-old Warkari sect adores Lord Vitthala. It is believed if devotees get a darshan of Lord Vitthala on the day of Ashadi Ekadashi, all their sins will be purged,” said J M Shah, trustee of the temple. One of the bhajan singers, Asruba Kale is enthusiastic about performing at the temple. He said, “I’ve never come here to perform. I hope I don’t disappoint Him.” 

“The bhajans are sung to put God to sleep, as we sing lullabies for infants. God sleep for four months during which no auspicious events are undertaken,” Naik explained.