Fadnavis performs "mahapuja" at Lord Vitthaltemple

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Friday performed the "mahapuja" of Lord Vitthaland Goddess Rukminiin the temple town of Pandharpur on the occasion of 'Ashadhi Ekadashi'.

Vithal Chavan and his wife Prayag were the 'warkaris' (pilgrims) who got the opportunity to perform the rituals alongside the chief minister and his wife Amruta.

The rituals at the Lord Vitthal temple in Pandharpur in Solapur district, around 350km from here, began past Thursday midnight at around 2.30 am.

Speaking after the puja, which Fadnavis skipped last year, the chief minister said he had prayed for peace and prosperity of the state and its people.

"I prayed to Vithoba (another name for Lord Vitthal) for giving his blessings to the government's efforts to make the state drought free," he said.

Recalling that he wasn't able to participate in the annual puja last year, Fadnavis said, "The Lord resides in the hearts and homes of people outside Pandharpur too."
Asked if he would come to Pandharpur again for the puja next year, he said, "The people of the state and Lord Vitthal had blessed us last time (in the 2014 polls) and would do the same this year too."