Dhapewada Vithoba Temple

Dhapewada Vithoba Temple, officially known as Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir, is a historic Hindu shrine located in Dhapewada village, Kalmeshwar taluka, Nagpur district, Maharashtra. Established in 1741 after a self-manifested idol was discovered in a stepwell, it is widely revered as the 'Pandharpur of Vidarbha.' Situated on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River, the temple features artistic carvings and wall paintings and serves as a major regional pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini.

Visitors can expect darshan of the black stone idols of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini housed within a sanctum constructed by the Kholkute family. The temple complex spans 42x26 meters with entrances on four sides and displays artistic carvings and historic wall paintings. Located on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River, the site offers a serene environment where devotees engage in worship and rituals. Basic facilities such as parking are available, and the atmosphere is deeply spiritual, particularly during Ekadashi festivals.

The temple's history dates back to 1741 when a self-manifested idol of Lord Vitthal was discovered in a local stepwell and subsequently consecrated. The sanctum was constructed by the Kholkute family, and the temple was established under the patronage of Umaji Aba, Diwan to Raja BajiRao Bhonsle. It has since served as a central religious landmark in the Vidarbha region for over two centuries.

Revered as the 'Pandharpur of Vidarbha,' this temple holds immense cultural importance for the Warkari sect and people of the Vidarbha region who may be unable to travel to the main Pandharpur temple. It hosts significant gatherings during Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi, drawing 4-5 lakh devotees, and serves as a vital center for bhakti tradition, kirtans, and community religious life in central Maharashtra.