Our Pandharpur Visit from Pimpri, Pune. Review on Pandharpur

We have planned for Pandharpur Vist to have a Darshan of Lord Krishna on yesterday. Considering Varkaris procession, we have choosen bangalore Highway from Hinjewadi Signal(Mumbai-Pune Express Highway leads to Kolhapur) Pune. Its an Excellen road till narayanpur and for another 15 Kms. Then the road on the left leads to Pandhapur. I don't remember the names of main villages on the way. No Traffic conjetion at all. I could reach pandharpur in 4 Hrs Flat from my residence at Pimpri.( Started @ 6.45 A.M- Reached pandhapur @ 10.45 A.M).

Pandharpur is a town without any good infrastructure. We were searching for a good hotel and common toilet for Hrs. But couldn't find even a Single One. You can find a Common toilet near to Temple premise or in the S.T Stand in a Unhygenic Condition. We could park our Car in the Parking Lot near to the temple( Nearly less than half a KM from the temple Entrance). You can find chappel stand and Mobile Counter near the temple. Cameras, Mobiles, Ladies Hand Bags are not allowed to be taken inside the temple premise. Lots of Shops who sells Photos and Puja Items.

We have been approached by Pujaris / Priests for a Quick Darshan(in 10 Min) for the rate Rs.2001 but I turn down their offer. All are cheats. For a Normal Darshan thro' a 6-7 Storey building "Q", It would have taken a Minimum of 5-6 Hrs on that day to have a Close darshan of Lord Panduranga. But We have decided to wait for the Miracle to happen.

There is another facility called Mukh Darshan where you can have the darshan of Lord Krishna from 20- 25 feet distance . We could make that in 2 Minutes time as there used to be not much crowd over there.

I wanted to get Rs.51/-Special Darshan / VIP Tickets for the darshan( as mentioned in the other review by one Mr.Raja Kumar) but to my disappointment there are no Special / VIP tickets are sold in the office. The Temple Officials are Corrupts here. You can't approach any Temple Officers / Staff memebers . the office premise is fully sealed with railings and locks. Securities doesn't give proper answers for your Quiry. You can see only lots of Pujaris in search of their preys.

I have approaced a security guy(seems to be a Supervisor) to get the special Darshan ticket if any. Initially he has told me that the temple official would issue pouthi / Challan of denomination Rs.500 /- or Rs.1000 /- . That I would get in Half an hour time once the temple official comes to office. Then suddenly he disappeared from the scene. I have approached another guy who seemed to be a Office clerk . He has also promised me the same and disappeaerd suddenly from the scene . I met that security supervisor again to get the challans. he gave all irresponsible answers after that. We have waited for almost 1.5 hrs again for these people hoping to get challan properly from the office for the darshan. But to our disappointment no one has responded to our quiries or turned back at me. I was very much frustrated and told our familymemebers that we would go for Darma Darshan which would take nearly 5-6 Hrs for the darshan.

Suddenly a Mad rush of small crowd entering in to Office gate for a Special Darshan. When Enquired I came to know that they have paid good money for the darshan and puja thro' some temple officer / Pujari. I could locate a Pujari there and requested him to alow us for a Darshan thro' the special Entrance. He requested Rs.750 saying that he needed to give Rs.500/ for the temple official to make the challan, Rs.50 for the security and Rs.200 / for him. Finally we have paid and got an entry in to special "Q" thro' office gate and could get the Darshan of Panduranga in 10 Minutes time. But Most of them Demand a Minimum of Rs.2100 /-

We have Offered Rs.50/- to Lord Panduranga. The Pujari who was doing Puja for the lord asked for our Name, Gotra for doing archana. Then he offered us a Silk duppatta and Coconut and Garlands and demanded Rs.500 for that. He tried to tie the Garland on my wifes neck but my wife refused that. When we refused to pay Rs.500 /, the pujari / priest got so much angry and took back the dupatta, Coconut, garland and Banana and he was cursing also. The same thing happened with Radha Shrine also. Here he has done the same with Sari and demanded Rs.500. That also I refused to give. He has taken the saree back

Then we went to Gopal Pur(I don't remember Exactly). There also same thing happened. Since the temple is small, the priest demanded Rs.100/. When we have refused, he has taken all the prasad back. Really all Money Minded People. Cheats.

Finally We had our Darshan of Lord Panduranga. Anyhow, These Priests never llowed us in pray in peace. Here the Darshan is not like Tirupathi or Shirdi where the Security people push the devotees and don't allow you to stand in front of the "Moorthy" for long time. Here the priests allow the people to stand in front of the Idol for 2 to 3 Minutes if you offer them Money. Each and every devotee is given chance to toch the feet of Lord Panduranga. So, It takes very long time for the Q" to move. In Shirdi and Tirupati, Its a Mass Darshan and Noone is allowed to touch the idol. So, the Q" Move very fast. Some times you can have the Darshan in Half an Hour also. But Here it is different due to the said reason and you need to stand for very long time in Dharma Darshan.

Finally we left the place at 1.45 P.M, went to Gopal Pur. had the same kind of Bad Experience. If you don't give the demanded money, your prasadam would be taken back. If you r menatlly week, you will feel psychologically bad.

I have missed the original way on the way to Pune. 3-4 different routes to Pune. Finally I got the Phalton route. Came to Shirwal, took the route to Pune(Successfully avoided Vakaris again). On the way we have visited Narayanpur Balaji Temple also. It took us some time for the darshan. Finaaly We reached home @ 9.45 P.M in the Night.

Be prepared in Pandhapur. Pujaris / Temple Officials / Brokers are the real Thieves.