The sacred tradition of the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini temple and the renowned Wari of Pandharpur is set to reach international shores, with a grand replica of the temple slated to be constructed in London. This marks a historic moment for devotees worldwide, as it will be the first-ever Vitthal-Rukmini temple outside India.
The ambitious project, with an estimated cost of ₹100 crore, will be developed on a six-acre plot by the Vitthal Mandir UK Trust. The temple will mirror the architectural beauty and spiritual essence of the original shrine in Pandharpur.
Internationally acclaimed chef Vishnu Manohar and Mohan Pande, principal advisor at Laxminarayan Innovation Technological University, are among the Indian coordinators of the trust. Their responsibilities include fundraising and overseeing project activities within India.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Manohar shared updates on the project and revealed that he has sought support from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari. “While Indian temples exist in various parts of the world, there is none dedicated to Shri Vitthal-Rukmini. This will be the first of its kind,” he said.
To commemorate the spiritual milestone, the world’s largest international ‘dindi’ (pilgrimage procession) will be organized from Pandharpur to London. The journey is scheduled to begin on April 15 and conclude by June, covering a span of 65 to 70 days.
As part of the yatra, the symbolic ‘padukas’ (footwear) of the deity will be taken in a special vehicle from Pandharpur to Nagpur, where rituals including ‘puja’ and ‘archana’ will be conducted. The procession will then proceed through 22 countries by road and sea, culminating in London.