After gap of 2 yrs, Dhapewada Rath Yatra today

 

 

 

Excitement is at its peak in Dhapewada as the small village on the banks of Chandrabhaga river is decked for the most important event, the annual Rath Yatra that is taken out in the Kartik month, as per Marathi calendar. The Yatra to be taken out on November 22 would be in its 116th year. This year is of importance as the yatra is being taken out after a gap of two years. Dhapewada is about 8 km from Kalmeshwar town and is considered as the Pandharpur of East as the village has temple of Lord Vitthal. As per the historical accounts, Bhagirathibai Jamadar had donated a huge wooden Rath to Lord Vitthal in year 1906 and since then yatra started. From Ekadashi that comes after Vijayadashmi the one and a half months long religious programmes start at the temple. The idols of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini are kept in the Rath that moves through the village. On Trayodashi, the Maraoti is the charioteer while on Chaturdashi it is Garud. Old records reveal that Dhapewada was earlier referred to as Dharmanagari and maximum population in village belongs to Koshti community and pilgrims from all over country comes to Lord Vitthal-Rukmini temples to pay their respects. The temple also has tombs of Saint Kolabaswami and his wife and their descendants.

 

As per anecdote Kuntalpur’s king Chandrahas penance at Metpanjara resulted in flowing of river Chandrabhaga in Dhapewada and the temple is on North bank. Lord Vitthal appeared in dream of Saint Kolabaswami and told him about visiting Dhapewada. So, Kolabaswami along with Umaji Baba Kholgute visited the step well at Dhapewada where Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini appeared in year 1740 and incidentally, it was Ashadhi Ekadashi that day. Later, villagers got together and built the present temple where the idol that surfaced in the well was consecrated in year 1741. Every year various religious programmes are held at the temple from Ekadashi to Panchami in the month of Kartik. Kholgute was in service of Dewaji Pant, Pradhan of Janoji Bhosle, the then Ruler of Nagpur Kingdom, and he built the temple. The temple is spread over 42x26 meters.