The Rashtrakutas and their Times c20.87

c20.87

A temple of Śāradā existed in Managoli.⁶². The worship of the presiding deities of the locality is mentioned in record from Ṣaundatti, dated 875 A.D., which refers to the temple of the deity presiding over Sugandhavatī 12.⁶³ Whether Vithoba of Pandharpur, perhaps the most popular deity of the Deccan to-day, existed in our period is difficult to determine with certainty. An inscription from Belgaum district, dated 1250 A.D., refers to a grant made in the presence of Viṣṇu at Pauṇḍarika-kṣhetra, which is described in the document as situated on the banks of the Bhīmā.⁶⁴ The name of the Tīrtha and its situation on the Bhīmā make it obvious that our inscription clearly proves the existence of the Viṭṭhala temple at Pandharpur in 1250 A.D. It was even then a famous centre of pilgrimage; the premier Mallseṭṭi utilised his presence at Pauṇḍarika-kṣhetra for making the donation. The fame of the temple was already well established by the middle of the 13th century A.D.; it is, however, difficult to say how far earlier than 1200 A.D. the worship of Viṭṭhala had commenced at Pandharpur. Since it was a famous centre at about 1200 A.D., we may reasonably presume that the worship of the God at the place was at least a couple of centuries old at that time.