Lord Krishna during His stay in Boologam (earth) socialized with His devotees and there are numerous incidents depicted in various epics narrating how Lord Krishna came to the rescue of His devotees and showered them with His blessings. Pundaleegan was one such devotee to witness the Kindness of Lord Krishna with His incarnation as "Lord Pandurangan" (also called Vittal) at a place, later named as Pandharpur (Pandaripuram), a Holy pilgrim in the state of Maharashtra. Millions of Bhakthas and Bhagavathas swam Pandharpur throughout the year.

There are varied sampradaya (traditions) followed at the Temple of Lord Pandurangan at Pandharpur. One such unique tradition is that the devotees who are fortunate enough to visit the Temple are blessed with an enviable opportunity to personally enter the sanctum sanctorum and touch the Lotus Feet of the Lord and offer prayers. Devotees can witness distinctive traditions of Nithya Puja at Pandharpur.

The Nithya Puja for Lord Pandurangan and Rukmini at Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan is normally done as per the tradition prevailing in South Indian Temples.

To bestow the Bhakthas who could not visit Pandharpur with Pandharpur dharshan, a grand festival called Nithyopachar Bhagavatha Mela is being held at Govindapuram. Only during this holy event, devotees are blessed with the unique opportunity to touch the lotus feet of the Lord.

Hundreds of Bhagavathas and devotees from Pandharpur are specially invited for this occasion and all the pujas, including Alankaram (decorating the Lord) are performed only by the priests of Pandharpur.

Time	Event
4:30 AM to 6 AM	Kakada Harathi
6 AM to 7 AM	Dharshan
7 AM to 8:30 AM	Maha Puja
8:30 AM to 11 AM	Dharshan
11 AM to 11:30 AM	Maha Neivedhyam
5 PM to 5:30 PM	Poshak
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM	Dharshan
6:30 PM to 7 PM	Dhoopa Harathi Neivedhyam
7:30 PM to 10 PM	Dharshan
10 PM to 11:30 PM	Padha Puja
11:30 PM to 1:30 AM	Sayana Harathi

The traditions separately explained hereunder, just like Pandharpur are followed at Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan, during the Nithyopachar Bhagavatha Mela.

KAKADA HARATHI - is a Prabodhana (waking up of God) custom of offering Deeparathana with a specially made thick thread, which takes place every morning, amidst chanting of specific slokas and mantras.
MAHA PUJA - is an important custom performed in the morning. During this, selected number of couples would be fortunate enough to offer Abishekam from Holy Head to Holy Toes of God and Goddess and perform harathi, after taking sankalpam. The Abishekam is done with Milk, Curd, Butter, Sugar and Honey, apart from pure water. After the Abishekam, the God and Goddess will be beautifully decorated, as per the tradition of Pandharpur. Those couples that perform such Puja will be honored with Vasthrams and garland with special Prasadams.
MAHA NEIVEDHYAM - will be offered to God and Goddess after the completion of Maha Puja and Alankarams.
POSHAK - is a vital tradition being followed. Lord Krishna, though took a simple form of Pandurangan and came to earth, He is very much fond of Alankarams and beautiful dresses. During Poshak, Pandurangan and Rukmini will adorn Colourful traditional dresses. The vasthropacharam and Alankaram are done with experienced pujakars every day during the Mela.
PADHA PUJA - is a significant practice followed at night. During this occasion, selected number of devotees will enjoy the opportunity to perform panchamridha Abishekam (Milk, Curd, Butter, Sugar and Honey) and arathana to the Lotus Feet of God and Goddess. The devotees performing Padha Puja will be honored with special prasadams.
SAYANA HARATHI - is the tradition to make the God and Goddess go to bed. After performing arathana accompanied by chanting of slokas and mantras, the doors of the sanctum sanctorum will be closed. The special bedroom for God and Goddess will be brilliantly decorated with flowers and decorative lights.
SAMARADHANAI - During the Bhagavatha Mela festival, all devotees participate in Samaradhanai (Annadhanam). An exclusive Dining Hall is specially designed and built to enable the Bhaktas to have their breakfast, lunch and dinner comfortably. Close to eight to ten thousand devotees participate in this Samaradhanai at every time on every day of the Mela.
BHAJANS - All the participating devoted Bhagavathas, specially invited from Pandharpur and other parts of India, render varied Bhajan programmes in groups, throughout the day of the Mela. The way of sincerely singing the Abhangs and dancing to the tune of the same, adopted by these Bhagavathas, is a divine pleasure to watch and indulge. Every day, Haripat is rendered fervently in the evenings with wholesome devotion.
OTHER PROGRAMMES - Apart from the regular Bhajans, other programmes such as vocal recitals, Bharathanatyam, discourses etc., too take place during the Mela. Not only leading artistes enthrall the visiting devotees, but also young and upcoming talents are encouraged to perform in front of Lord Panduranga and thousands of devotees.
PANDHAL - All the special programmes of the Mela, take place under a tastefully decorated special Pandhal, which can accommodate thousands of devotees at the same time. The wide and huge stage, provides a beautiful look to the Pandhal and offers enough comfort and space to the performing Bhagavathas / artists. The entire Temple complex is fully decorated.
STALLS - There are stalls from Pandharpur exhibiting highly important items, such as beautiful idols/photos of Gods and Goddesses, various Bhajan/Abhang Cassettes/CDs, Vasthrams which once adorned the God and Goddesses at Pandharpur and other Prasadams especially brought from the Temple of Pandharpur. Since the devotees can have the liberty to enter the sanctum sanctorum during the Mela, to enable the devotees utilizing an opportunity of themselves offering Neivedhyam to God, shops are there to sell sweets. Devotees get immense pleasure and utmost satisfaction with such an opportunity.