Pandharpur postpones Vithoba darshan for three days for chemical coating

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Lakhs of warkaris and devotees visit the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini temple in Pandharpur from across the state every day for darshan. Pandharpur is a major pilgrimage centre for Maharashtra's Warkari tradition and sees large crowds daily. But from tomorrow, devotees will not be able to have darshan of Vitthal and Rukmini for the next three days. The decision to close darshan was taken because the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will carry out a special chemical coating process on the idols.

Pandharpur sees a large influx of devotees through the year. The constant touching of feet by lakhs of warkaris, milk abhishek performed on the idols, and changes in weather and humidity had caused significant wear to the Vitthal-Rukmini idols. This continuous touching and the milk abhishek had gradually affected the idols, causing concern among the temple committee and the entire Warkari community.

The coating process was actually expected to take place before Ashadhi Ekadashi. However, some devotees filed a petition in court against the chemical coating, delaying the process by as much as three months. The petition held up the work, and officials had to wait until a decision was reached. The Kolhapur bench of the Bombay High Court eventually approved the process, clearing the way for the coating.

Shrikant Yadav, executive officer of the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini temple committee, said that today, 22 September, after the night's shejarati ritual, the ASI's expert team will begin work. Shejarati is the last ritual of the night at the temple, and work will begin only after it is completed. Tonight, both idols will undergo a scientific deep cleaning, and the actual coating work will start from tomorrow.

The main aim of the process is to extend the life of the idols and preserve and protect them over the long term. Wherever the idol has worn away or developed fine cracks, that area will be filled using powder of the same original stone, so that the material used for repair matches the idol's original stone.

The feet of the Vitthal idol have suffered the most wear due to the constant touching by devotees. The ASI will therefore have to pay special attention and carry out major repair work on Vithuraya's feet. Once the wear is fully filled in, a special chemical coating will be applied to the idol.

This process is called "Vajralep". The Archaeological Survey currently recommends an approved, advanced chemical protective coating for this purpose. The coating mainly uses epoxy resin, powder of the original stone, and waterproof silicon-based material. These components form a protective shell on the idol, which helps prevent further wear of the stone in future.