Vittal: The Beloved of the Warkaris

Key idea: Vittal (Vithoba) is Vishnu or Krishna as the patient friend, standing on a brick, hands on hips, waiting for devotees to arrive. No rituals required, just love, song and the long walk.

Symbolism

• Standing on a brick: he waited for a devotee, Pundalik, and never left

• Hands on hips: calm, unhurried welcome

• Tulsi garland: devotion and his link to Vishnu

• Wari pilgrimage with abhangs: equality in song, with no caste or rank on the road to Pandharpur

Temples

• West: Vitthal-Rukmini Temple, Pandharpur (the heart of the tradition)

• South: Vijaya Vittala Temple, Hampi

• North and East: Vittal worship is Maharashtra-centred, so these are the least certain entries