Shree Lakhubai Temple Dindirvan, Pandharpur, Pandharpur Solapur

Pandharpur, which is the revered abode of sages, saints, and millions of Warkaris, is a land of spiritual, social, and cultural revolution. During the Ashadhi and Kartiki Wari, millions of devotees forget all differences of caste and creed and immerse themselves in the chanting of Lord Vitthal’s name in the sandy expanses of the Chandrabhaga River here. It is believed that Rukmini arrived and stayed in Pandharpur twelve years before Lord Krishna. The ancient temple of Rukmini in Dindiravan here is very famous. Devotees have deep faith that Rukmini, affectionately worshipped as Lakhubai, rushes to the aid of anyone who calls upon her.
It is said that this temple dates back to the Dvapara Yuga. Records show that this temple was renovated by Dhondbhat Katke in the year 1780. According to the legend surrounding the temple, once Rukmini saw Lord Krishna surrounded by the Gopis. Notably, seeing Radha seated on Lord Krishna’s lap filled Rukmini with grief and anger. Consequently, Rukmini left Dwarka and came to Dindiravan on the banks of the Chandrabhaga. After performing penance here for twelve years, Lord Krishna came to meet Rukmini and stayed right here.
Regarding the legend of why Rukmini had to endure a twelve-year separation from the Lord, it is said that once Durvasa Rishi came to the borders of Dwarka to meet Lord Krishna and Rukmini. At that time, both of them requested Durvasa to come to the palace. Durvasa stated that he would come to Dwarka only if the two of them pulled his chariot. Accepting the sage’s condition, Rukmini and Lord Krishna seated Durvasa in the chariot and began pulling it. After coming halfway, Rukmini felt extremely tired and thirsty. Lord Krishna pressed the big toe of his right foot into the ground and created the Ganga. A fountain of Ganga water gushed forth from the ground. Rukmini drank a mouthful of that water. Since Rukmini drank water before their guest, Durvasa became furious and cursed her that she would have to endure a twelve-year separation from Lord Krishna.
The temple stands on a high platform on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River. There are about six steps to climb up to the platform. Built in stone using the Hemadpanti architectural style, the temple comprises a Sabha Mandapa (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In front of the temple is an open-style Darshana Mandapa featuring a tin roof supported by iron pillars. The Darshana Mandapa has iron-meshed safety railings along its exterior. There are two Meghadambaris (canopies) in the Darshana Mandapa. One of them houses an idol of Maruti smeared with vermilion, and the other contains a five-hooded snake stone (Panchaphani Nagashila).
The Sabha Mandapa has three entrances. On both sides of all three entrances, there are two circular carved motifs each. The door jambs of the middle main entrance feature floral and leaf carvings, with an idol of Ganesha at the lalatabimba (lintel centre). The threshold features a Chandrashila (moon stone). Paintings of Garuda and Hanuman are depicted on the front walls on both sides of the entrance. The Sabha Mandapa has four rows of three square carved pillars each. Semicircular arches are formed by the brackets on top of the pillars. The roof rests on the beams above the brackets. The ceiling panels between every four pillars feature circular carved patterns. In the Sabha Mandapa, there are two devakoshtakas (wall niches) on both sides of the entrance to the Garbhagriha. One of these niches contains a vermilion-smeared idol of Maruti, and the other contains a vermilion-smeared idol of Hanuman.
The door jambs of the entrance to the Garbhagriha feature vertical line carvings, and the lintel centre features an idol of Ganesha. Padmapaduka (lotus footprints) are placed on a table in the doorway. Devotees must have the darshana of Rukmini from right here. Inside the Garbhagriha, against the back wall, stands the black stone idol of Rukmini upon a Vajrapitha (pedestal). The Goddess is seated within a stone-carved arched alcove (makhar). The idol is adorned with various garments and ornaments. On the floor of the Garbhagriha, there is a self-manifested (swayambhu) stone idol of the Goddess in the form of Tandula (grains of rice), smeared with vermilion.
The management of this temple is handled by the Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple Committee. The Navaratotsava is the main annual festival celebrated here with great enthusiasm. For the ten days of Navaratri, the Goddess is worshipped in various forms of divine energy (Shakti). Programs such as bhajans, kirtans, discourses, and classical singing are organized in the temple for ten consecutive days. At this time, crowds of devotees gather for the darshana of the Goddess. Thousands of devotees who come to Pandharpur for the wari on Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi make it a point to visit and seek the darshana of this Goddess. A large number of devotees also visit the temple for darshana on occasions such as Chaitra Padwa, Dasara, Diwali, Shakambhari Navaratri, all Ekadashis, Purnima, Amavasya, and others.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery