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Pandharpur is one of the most pious place in India revered with steeped devotion to Lord Sri Krishna, who is also locally known as “Vitthal” or “Vithoba”. It is the spiritual capital of Maharashtra. Padma Purana and Skanda Purana describe that Lord Krishna came to Pandharpur in search of Rukmini Devi, when she became upset from Krishna while they were in Dwarka. Rukmini departed for the forest of Dindirvana, near Pandharpur.

At Pandharpur, the most amazing pastime with Lord Krishna’s great devotee Pundalik took place. Pundalik gave a brick ‘Vit’ to stand, and asked Lord to wait as he was serving his parents. As Lord stood, He kept His lotus hands on His hips, waiting for Pundarika to return. While He was waiting, Rukmini, having forgotten her distress, came from Dindirvana and re-joined Him. Both of Them stayed in Pandharpur in this deity form. To this day the Lord stands on the same brick with hands on hips, but now He’s waiting for all His devotees to come see Him. The word “Vitthala” is derived from the Marathi word “Vit”, meaning brick, and "thala" means standing. This is why Lord Krishna is called as "Vitthala" in Pandharpur. While waiting, the Lord seems to tell the devotees, “Do not fear. For those who have surrendered unto Me, I have reduced the depth of the ocean of material suffering. See, it is only this deep.” Lord indicates the shallowness of the ocean by placing His hands on His hips.

Pundalik, in his previous life was the famous king Mucukunda, who is mentioned in Srimad-Bhagavatam to be blessed to sleep for long in a secluded cave. The brick given by Pundalik to Lord Krishna is not an ordinary brick, but King Indra himself. Long ago there was a demon named Vritrasura who was killed by Indra’s trick. While dying the demon cursed him to become a brick. However, Indra was told that he will be expelled from this curse when Supreme Lord Krishna will stand on the brick. So Indra was forced to accept the brick body. As a brick, Indra had got good fortune of being in the house of Pundalik. It was this brick which Pundalik gave to Lord to stand on. As a result Indra was free from the curse. In Pandharpur, the Lord is worshipped as Sri Vitthala. His devotees also fondly call Him Vithobha or Panduranga. Sant Tukarama, a stalwart devotee of Lord Krishna always referred Pandharpur as “Bhu-Vaikuntha”.

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