Maharashtra: Pandharpur Vitthal Temple Corridor Work Accelerates; Modern Facilities for 'Wari' Pilgrims

Solapur/Pandharpur, January 10, 2026: The spiritual capital of Maharashtra, Pandharpur, is witnessing a historic transformation. Developed on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Ujjain’s Mahakal Lok, the 'Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Corridor' project has gained significant momentum. Today, the district administration and the temple committee finalized the blueprint for the second phase, including a state-of-the-art Darshan Mandap. The primary goal is to ensure a seamless and dignified experience for the millions of 'Warkari' devotees who undertake the arduous 'Wari' pilgrimage every year.

The ₹129 Crore Grand 'Darshan Mandap': World-Class Facilities

The biggest challenge for devotees has always been the grueling wait in long queues, sometimes lasting over 24 hours. To address this, a high-tech Darshan Mandap is being constructed at a cost of ₹129 crore:

• Expansion on Gopalpur Road: Spread across 2 acres, the construction is set to begin next month.

• Climate-Controlled Queues: For the 'Pad-sparsh' (touching the feet) darshan, the waiting halls will be fully air-conditioned with pure drinking water and modern seating.

• Skywalks and Elevators: To assist senior citizens and the differently-abled, dedicated skywalks and lifts will be installed to provide direct access to the temple vicinity.

• Live Digital Darshan: Large LED screens will be installed throughout the corridor, allowing devotees to watch live rituals of Lord Vitthal while they wait.

Revamping the Chandrabhaga Banks and Heritage Sites

The corridor project extends beyond the temple walls to the entire town of Pandharpur:

1. Massive Bhakt Niwas: A mega pilgrim rest-house is being built on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River, capable of accommodating thousands of pilgrims simultaneously.

2. Widening of Arterial Roads: The narrow lanes leading to the temple are being widened to 6–8 feet. This will prevent bottlenecks and ensure a smooth flow of crowds during peak festival days.

3. Conservation of Heritage Wadas: The administration has assured that historical landmarks like the 200-year-old Holkar Wada and Shinde Sarkar Wada will not be demolished but instead preserved and integrated into the aesthetic of the new corridor.

Coordination between Warkari Sect and Administration

Initially, there was resistance from local shopkeepers regarding land acquisition. However, the administration has now secured over 80% consent from property owners through an attractive 'Relocation and Compensation' package. The Chief Minister emphasized that this corridor will emerge as a 'Triveni Sangam' (confluence) of modern infrastructure, ancient Warkari traditions, and cultural heritage.