What is Vithoba?
{{Orphan|date=May 2009}} [[File:Syayambhuvithoba.jpg|thumb|Vithoba of Pandharpur]] '''Vithoba''' is a [[Hindu]] god worshipped mainly in the [[India]]n states of [[Maharashtra]] and [[Karnataka]]. He is also known as '''Vitthala''' and '''Panduranga'''. He is generally considered a form of the Hindu god [[Vishnu]] or [[Krishna]]. In stone images and pictures, he is shown as a dark young boy. He stands on a [[brick]] with his hands on his [[waist]]. His wife [[Rukmini]] or Rakhumai stands with him. Vithoba's main temple is at [[Pandharpur]] in Maharashtra. It is close to its border with Karnataka. Two Hindu [[sect]]s, the [[Varkari]] sect of Maharashtra and [[Haridasa]] sect of Karnataka worship Vithoba as their main god. The Varkari poet-saints have written devotional poems called ''abhanga''s in praise of god Vithoba. The abhangas are written in the language [[Marathi]]. The Haridasa poets have also written poems, devoted to Vithoba in the [[Kannada]] language. The two most important festivals associated with Vithoba are ''Shayani Ekadashi'' in the Hindu month of [[Ashadha]], and ''Prabodini Ekadashi'' in the Hindu month of Kartik. [[Category:Hindu gods and goddesses]]