The stone walls of the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur have developed large cracks

Pandharpur (Maharashtra ) – The conservation and maintenance work of the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple, a place of reverence for millions of devotees in the state, is currently underway under the Archeology Survey of India (ASI). While this work is ongoing, some shocking things have come to light in the temple. The roof, walls, and stone pillars of the temple have large cracks. In some places, the pillars and walls have been found nailed.

In this regard, Shri Vitthal Rukmini Mandir Committee Co-Chairman H.B.P. Gahininath Maharaj Ausekar said, “While the conservation work is ongoing, it has been found that the stones in many places in the temple are broken, and the stone walls are heavily nailed. The walls are nailed while adding a silver coating to the walls. Some places have been filled with lime, while others have been filled with cement. However, due to substantial government funding, the preservation and conservation work of the temple is currently underway and the Temple Committee will continue its efforts to clean it up and restore it to its former glory.“

In this regard, Assistant Director of the Archeology Department Vilas Vahane said, “When the ASI is asked to work on behalf of the Collector for the conservation of the temple, we do it. Our preliminary estimate is that the cementing or nailing of the walls may have been done 50 to 70 years ago. Now this work will be rectified on behalf of the department.”