Shree Vitthal Mandir (Pratipandharpur), Daund, t. Pune

In Daund, a taluka town in Pune district, stands the famous Shri Vitthal Temple, renowned as Prati-Pandharpur (the replica of Pandharpur). A unique feature of this temple is the presence of the idol of Lord Vitthal accompanied by Rahi and Rukmini. Such an idol is rarely found in other Vitthal temples. Just like in Pandharpur, the flow of the Bhima River here takes the shape of a crescent moon.

According to legend, the Pandavas’ family priest, Sage Dhaumya, came here, established the Vitthal temple, and developed the village. That is why the village came to be named Daund. This temple, built in the Hemadpanthi style, is constructed entirely of stone.

The entrance of the temple appears like a cave carved out of a single monolithic rock. The architecture of the main hall (Sabhamandap) follows the Hemadpanthi style. The hall is spacious and features १८ stone pillars, each adorned with intricate carvings. The temple is structured with a main hall and a sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). The temple has a magnificent spire (Kalash) that is ८१ feet high. This spire includes six sub-spires and one bell-spire.

The main sanctum of the temple is approximately १६ feet long and १६ feet wide. Inside the sanctum, there is the idol of Lord Vitthal with Rahi and Rukmini. All three idols appear elegant and radiant. Rahi is on the right side of Lord Vitthal, and Rukmini is on the left. The idol of Lord Vitthal stands on a brick with hands placed on the waist. There are some letters in the Modi script on the brick. There is a Shiva Linga directly on the idol of Lord Vitthal, which is why there is a tradition of offering Bel leaves on the head of this idol here.
On Ashadhi Ekadashi, devotees (Warkaris) arrive here along with the palanquins of १३ village deities from the surrounding region. These palanquins come to the Bhima River to bathe their respective village deities. At this time, the atmosphere resonates with the chants of “Dnyanoba Mauli Tukaram”. Thousands of devotees from Pune district and the surrounding areas who are unable to travel to Pandharpur for Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi come to the Prati-Pandharpur temple in Daund for darshan. Devotees believe that bathing in the Bhima River here grants the same merit as bathing in the Chandrabhaga River of Pandharpur.
There are records indicating that Saint Tukaram Maharaj performed kirtans in this Vitthal temple many times. It is said that the first revolutionary, Vasudev Balwant Phadke, recited the Gurucharitra in this temple while he was underground. Daily worship and Aarti take place in the temple every morning. Haripath is held in the evening. Devotees can enter the sanctum for the darshan of Lord Vitthal between ۷:०० AM to ۱۱:०० AM and ۶:०० PM to ۸:३० PM.

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