Chokhamela was the devotee of Lord Krishna in 14th century. He was born in an untouchable caste i.e. Mahar caste. Born in Mehuna Raja village which is in Deulgaon Raja Taluka of Buldhana district of Maharashtra, he lived in the sacred place called Pandurpur. This place is today called Maharashtra. He is one of the initial Indian Dalit poets, he wrote a number of Abhangs.

Although he was born in a low cast, but his devotion towards Lord Vitthal was sacred and supreme. He was migrated from his place to Pandhapur and there he became the follower of the great saint i.e. poet Namdev. Poet Namdev brought him closer to the spirituality and bhakti of Lord Vitthal.

About Chokhamela

Sri Chokhamela was from a very lower class. He hailed from a slum and as per customs of that time occupants of the caste were not allowed in the premises of temple by upper class people. Therefore, friends, family and relatives of Chokhamela led valueless lives, without any system, and a very senseless life. They were all addicted to bad habits of alcohol, drugs and others. They ate whatever and whenever they wanted to. Most of their time was spent meaninglessly.

But Chokhamela was like a lotus that bloomed in stinky mud. Being in the same people he used to lead a life of Vaishnava. He led a very pure and simple life. He used to wake up early in the morning, take a bath and wear a Tulsi mala like the Brahmans. He always used to chant the lord’s name. Since he belonged to a lower class, he was not allowed to enter in temple. So, he would stand near the compound wall and loudly and joyfully sing the lord’s name. He told his wife and kids to chant the name of lord to take his blessings always.

His community was also not liked by the temple’s priest even though they never interfered in the temple’s proceedings. One day, all priests abused him and told them that their community had no right to worship God. Chokhamela was a patient person so he did not argue with any of the priests. However, from that day onwards, he never went to the temple. He stayed at home and worshipped the lord from home. He meditated at home and saw all the mantras t his mind’s eye. It was a very blissful experience for him. Once a priest argued with him, why he engaged in useless devotion towards God because he would never be allowed to see God. On this, Chokhamela felt humiliated and hurt. He refrained from taking food and water. Suddenly, Lord Vitthal appeared in front of him hugged him and took him to the temple and blessed him and his wife.

Later, he built his hut outside the village near River Chandrabhaga as he was asked to leave the village by priests. It was said that Lord Vitthal used to visit him daily and they both had lunch together. When people came to know this, they forced Chokhamela to return to Mangalavedha as the people wanted him to construct a wall to separate themselves from shudras. While he was constructing the wall, it collapsed and with many other people he got crushed and died. Poet Namdev went to Mangalavedha and brought the ash of Chokhamela to Pandharpur and constructed his Samadhi there.