Sant Chokhamela Punyatithi (Mangalvedha)

Sant Chokhamela of Mangalvedha

Warkari / Varkari

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Sant Chokhamela Punyatithi — Vaishakh Krishna Panchami 1338 CE at Mangalvedha. Chokhamela's samadhi at Pandharpur is on the threshold of the Vitthal Mandir — the second 'mahapida' step (after Namdev's) where every devotee's feet touch the bones-that-still-call-Vitthala on the way to darshan. The Chokhamela family — wife Soyrabai, son Karmamela, sister Nirmala, brother-in-law Banka Mahar — were all Warkari sants whose abhangas survive in the gatha.

Dates 2026–2027

May 8, 2026April 27, 2027

Mantra

विठ्ठल विठ्ठल जय हरि विठ्ठल

Vitthala Vitthala Jaya Hari Vitthala

O Vitthal, O Vitthal, victory to Hari Vitthal — Chokhamela's continuous prayer from outside the mandir door.

How to recite

Sing the abhangas of Sant Chokhamela — especially 'Johar mai-baap johar' and 'Ushta tari ghya Vitthala'. Visit Mangalvedha (Chokhamela's birthplace and samadhi, near Pandharpur). At Pandharpur, do darshan at Chokhamela's samadhi on the threshold of the Vitthal Mandir — where Vitthal placed his samadhi outside, beside Namdev's, so every devotee's feet touch them on the way in.

Benefits

Sant Chokhamela (~1273-1338) was a Mahar-jati (formerly 'untouchable') Warkari sant of Mangalvedha — denied entry to the Pandharpur Vitthal Mandir by caste-priests, he sang abhangas continuously from the mandir threshold for fifty years until Vitthal himself came out to embrace him. He died crushed by a falling wall while doing dasoha (community kitchen) at Mangalvedha. When Sant Namdev gathered his bones for the samadhi at Pandharpur, every bone called out 'Vitthala Vitthala'. His grace burns away caste-pride and gives Vitthal-darshan to the lowest of the low.

✦ Special Note

Chokhamela Punyatithi is observed by all Warkaris but especially by the Mahar-Warkari and Mang-Warkari communities, for whom Chokhamela is the supreme proof that Vitthal recognises only bhakti, never caste. Per the Marathi Drik Panchang (Amanta system) — Vaishakh Krishna Panchami.

Foods Allowed

Chokhamela's beloved naivedya — jowari bhakri with thecha and bhopla bharitPohe with shengdana and curry leavesSabudana khichdiNaralachi vadiFresh summer fruits — mango, watermelon, kakdiTulsi-charanamrita and milkSendha namak for fasting members

Foods to Avoid

Onion, garlic, brinjal — alwaysMeat, fish, eggs, alcoholFood not offered first to Vitthal

Meal Idea

Jowari bhakri with thecha and bhopla bharit for the day; naralachi vadi with milk for the evening.

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