Inspiring and Miraculous Story of Saint Kolabaswami's Devotion and The Origin of This Temple:
The Unwavering Devotion of Saint Kolabaswami
Saint Kolabaswami was a devout follower of Lord Vitthal. Every year, he would undertake the annual walking pilgrimage (Wari) from Dhapewada to Pandharpur. Such was his intense longing for the sight of Vitthal that even with advancing age and physical hardship, he never missed the pilgrimage.
The Divine Vision and Manifestation of Lord Vitthal
With passing time, Saint Kolabaswami grew very old and frail. Due to his failing physical strength, walking the long distance to Pandharpur became impossible. Deeply distressed by his inability to see his beloved deity, he gave up food and water, immersing himself entirely in the thought of Vitthal.
Moved by his devotee's earnest cry and devotion, Pandurang was touched. Lord Vitthal appeared in Saint Kolabaswami's dream and said: 'You no longer need to travel to Pandharpur. Pleased with your devotion, I am coming to Dhapewada myself.'
The Emergence of the Idols in the Well (Year 1740)
In the year 1740, on the auspicious day of Ashadhi Ekadashi, Saint Kolabaswami along with his associate Umaji Baba Kholgute went to a stepwell (bawdi) in Dhapewada. There, they were blessed with the divine vision of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini. In that very stepwell, beautiful and radiant idols of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini emerged.
Construction of the Temple (Year 1741)
The entire village of Dhapewada rejoiced upon witnessing the idols recovered from the well. The villagers joined hands to establish a fitting home for the deities. Umaji Baba Kholgute, who was in the service of Dewaji Pant—the minister of Janoji Raje Bhosale, the ruler of the Nagpur Kingdom—took the initiative to build this grand temple.
In the year 1741, the idols were formally consecrated in the temple. Spread over an area of approximately 42x26 meters, the temple stands gracefully on the north bank of the Chandrabhaga River.
Story of Chandrabhaga River
Local folklore and traditions state that the pious King Chandrahas of Kuntalpur performed intense penance nearby, which blessed the region and led to the flow of the Chandrabhaga River at Dhapewada.
Present Significance of the Temple
Pandharpur of Vidarbha: Devotees who are unable to travel to Pandharpur visit Dhapewada to seek the blessings of Lord Vitthal.
Annual Festival: Every year, during the month of Kartik, a major festival, Kakad Aarti, and a grand fair are organized from Ekadashi to Panchami. On Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi, hundreds of thousands of devotees gather here to pay homage to Lord Viththal.
