At Pandharpur on the banks of the Chandrabhaga, Lord Vitthal has stood on a brick for 28 yugas, waiting for His devotee Pundalik, who asked Him to wait while he served his parents. With His hands on His hips, Vitthal still waits for every devotee, and Rukmini Mata, Rakhumai, stands beside Him.

This Vitthal Rukmini Ji statue is personally hand-carved by skilled artisans from a single block of natural Shaligram stone from the Gandaki River in Nepal, the sacred black stone revered as a form of Lord Vishnu.

About this piece: In this pair the crowns, necklaces and dhotis are carved in fine detail, each figure on its own base. Because every piece is carved by hand, the shape, tone and natural veins are unique to this piece. We have 2 hand-carved Vitthal Rukmini Ji pieces, and each is listed on its own so you can choose the one that speaks to you.

What does the Vitthal Rukmini Ji statue show?

• Lord Vitthal standing with both hands on His hips
• Rukmini Mata standing beside Him
• Each figure standing on its own brick-like base
• Crowns and ornaments carved in detail

What is the meaning of Vitthal Rukmini?

Vitthal is the beloved deity of the Warkari saints, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram and Namdev. His standing form teaches patience and love for one’s parents and family.

• Traditionally worshipped for devotion, patience and family harmony
• Brings the blessings of the Pandharpur Wari to the home
• A cherished murti for Marathi and Kannada families
• Especially worshipped on Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi

These are traditional beliefs passed down in scripture and practice; the real blessing lies in sincere devotion.

Where to place the Vitthal Rukmini Ji statue at home?

Keep the pair in your home temple facing east, with Vitthal on the right and Rukmini on the left.

How to worship the Vitthal Rukmini Ji statue?

1. Place it on a clean cloth or chowki in your home temple.
2. Bathe it gently with water or Ganga jal (panchamrit on festivals), then wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
3. Offer tulsi leaves, chandan and fresh flowers.
4. Chant ॐ श्री विठ्ठलाय नमः (Om Shri Vitthalaya Namah) 108 times.
5. Light a diya and incense, offer simple vegetarian bhog and do aarti.

Why choose a statue carved on Shaligram stone?

Shaligram stone is found only in the Gandaki River in Nepal and has been worshipped for thousands of years as a living form of Lord Vishnu. When a deity is carved on this stone, the sanctity of the stone and the form of the deity come together in one murti, which is why such statues are treasured for home worship. Its natural black tone, weight and veins also make every piece look and feel different.

The story of Shaligram stone

Shaligram is an ancient, sacred stone found only and only in one place on earth: the Kali Gandaki River in Nepal, high in the Himalayas near Muktinath and Damodar Kund. Long before the Himalayas rose, this land lay under an ancient sea. The creatures of that sea slowly turned into stone over millions of years, and the holy river still carries these stones down from the mountains today. Every Shaligram holds a piece of the earth’s oldest history.

The Puranas tell how this stone became sacred. Vrinda, the devoted wife of the demon king Jalandhar, cursed Lord Vishnu to become a stone. The Lord accepted her curse with love, blessed her to become the holy Tulsi plant, and promised to live forever as Shaligram in the Gandaki River. Another story tells of Gandaki, the river goddess, who prayed for years to have Lord Vishnu as her own child, and was blessed that He would always live in her waters as Shaligram. This is why Shaligram is always worshipped with tulsi leaves, and why Tulsi Vivah is celebrated every year.

Scriptures such as the Padma Purana say that a home where Shaligram is worshipped becomes as holy as a tirtha. In 2023, giant Shaligram boulders from the Gandaki were carried all the way to Ayodhya for the Ram Mandir, and devotees lined the roads to offer prayers as they passed.

How is this statue made?

Shaligram stone is extremely dense and hard, far harder than marble or sandstone, so ordinary iron chisels cannot shape it. Our artisans carve every piece personally by hand with diamond tools, working slowly and patiently so the stone does not crack. A statue above 6 inches takes around three to six months to complete, depending on the workmanship and detail. This is why no two pieces are ever the same.

Large pieces of Shaligram stone are very hard to find, so statues above 6 to 7 inches are considered rare and exclusive. The bigger and heavier the statue, the rarer and more precious it is.

How to care for a Shaligram stone statue?

Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. After abhishek, dry it fully so no water stays in the carving. Do not use soap, polish or chemical cleaners, and lift the statue with both hands.

Where to buy an original Vitthal Rukmini Ji statue?

Aum Tatva has been in the spiritual trade since 2003, as part of the Aggarwal Rudraksha family. You can see our Shaligram stone statues at our showroom in Bhoopatwala, Haridwar, and choose your piece in person.

Have a question? Message us on WhatsApp at +91-7357894459 or +91-7409555533. Vishwas ka Aadhar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Vitthal Rukmini Ji statue made of?

It is hand-carved from a single piece of natural Shaligram stone from the Gandaki River in Nepal, the sacred black stone revered as a form of Lord Vishnu.

Why does Vitthal stand on a brick?

His devotee Pundalik threw a brick for the Lord to stand on while he finished serving his parents. Vitthal has stood on it ever since, waiting for His devotees.

Where should I keep the Vitthal Rukmini Ji statue?

Keep the pair in your home temple facing east, with Vitthal on the right and Rukmini on the left.

How do I worship the Vitthal Rukmini Ji statue?

Bathe it gently with water, offer tulsi leaves, chandan and fresh flowers, light a diya and chant ॐ श्री विठ्ठलाय नमः (Om Shri Vitthalaya Namah).

Where does Shaligram stone come from?

Shaligram is an ancient stone found only in the Kali Gandaki River in Nepal, high in the Himalayas near Muktinath. It is revered as a living form of Lord Vishnu.

How is a Shaligram stone statue carved?

Shaligram stone is very hard, so every piece is carved personally by hand with diamond tools. Statues above 6 inches take around three to six months, depending on the workmanship. Pieces above 6 to 7 inches are considered rare and exclusive.

Is every piece the same?

No. Each piece is carved by hand, so the shape, tone, veins and fine details are unique to every piece.

How do I clean a Shaligram stone statue?

Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth and dry it fully after abhishek. Avoid soap, polish and chemical cleaners.

Specifications

Product name: Vitthal Rukmini Ji on Natural Shaligram Stone (Piece 2)
SKU: AT-SHS-VTR-02
Category: Shaligram
Subcategory: Shaligram Statues
Material: Natural Shaligram stone
Craftsmanship: Personally hand-carved with diamond tools; pieces above 6 inches take 3–6 months
Origin: Gandaki River, Nepal
Deity: Lord Vitthal (Vithoba) and Goddess Rukmini (Rakhumai)
Mantra: ॐ श्री विठ्ठलाय नमः (Om Shri Vitthalaya Namah)
Piece: One of a kind (hand-carved)
Quality: Premium