Rakhumai

Legends

Rakhumai is the chief consort of lord Vithoba. She is considered as the local form of goddess Rukmini. Rukmini is traditionally viewed as the first wife of Krishna. Hindus generally consider Krishna to be a form of Vishnu, hence his consort as a form of Lakshmi. Just like her consort, Rakhumai is also depicted in the arms-akimbo posture, standing on a brick. She has an independent cella in the Pandharpur temple complex. According to Ghurye, Rukmini—a princess of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra—was elevated to the status of the main consort, because of her affiliation with the region. According to Dhangar tradition, Rakhumai is worshipped by the community as Padmavati, a protector of the community and cattle in particular. Dhangar folklore explains the reason behind separate shrines for Vithoba and Padubai as the outcome of Vithoba invoking a curse on his consort, and his non-attachment to samsara (the householder's life).

Worship

Rakhumai is primarily worshipped in the Vithoba Temple complex, Pandharpur. Her shrine is close to the north of the other two consorts Rahi and Satyabhama.

Other important temples are:

• Vithobha Rukmai Mandir, Shahad.
• Thennangur Temple, Tamil Nadu.