Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday performed the traditional Ashadhi Ekadashi 2025 mahapuja at the Vitthal-Rukmini temple in Pandharpur. He said he prayed for the prosperity of farmers and the resolution of crises across the state, reported news agency PTI.
As part of a long-standing tradition, the Maharashtra CM offers prayers at the temple dedicated to Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini in Solapur district’s Pandharpur town every year on Ashadhi Ekadashi.
Fadnavis was joined by his wife, Amruta, in performing the ritual. A Warkari couple, Kailas Damu Ugle and Kalpana Ugle from Jategaon in Nashik district, also perform the puja alongside the CM, reported PTI.
विठ्ठल रुक्मिणी । तुम्ही अखंड आणा ध्यानी ।।
मग सुखा काय उणे । झाले सोईरे त्रिभुवने ।।🚩देवशयनी आषाढी एकादशीनिमित्त सहकुटुंब श्री विठ्ठल-रुक्मिणीचे मनोभावे दर्शन व पूजन..!@fadnavis_amruta#Maharashtra #Pandharpur #AashadhiEkadashi pic.twitter.com/u7rzA3N2vv
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 6, 2025
Lakhs of warkaris – devotees of Lord Vitthal – gathered in Pandharpur for the annual celebration, which marks the culmination of the wari pilgrimage.
In his address following the mahapuja, CM Fadnavis said he had prayed to Lord Vitthal to “keep farmers happy and content, remove all crises from the state, and bless everyone with wisdom to walk the path of righteousness,” PTI reported.
He noted that this year’s wari had witnessed record participation, especially from the youth.
“This year’s wari has set new records with a massive turnout of devotees, many of whom walked long distances to Pandharpur to seek Lord Vitthal’s blessings,” Fadnavis said.
He emphasised the spiritual and cultural importance of the wari tradition.
“In this journey, every devotee sees Lord Vitthal in one another. Nowhere else in the world is such a tradition found. The chanting of Hari’s name throughout the wari brings new energy. It embodies the true spirit of the Bhakti movement,” he added.
CM Fadnavis also highlighted the state’s efforts to promote cleanliness and sustainability during the event. He described this year’s wari as both nirmal (clean) and environmentally conscious.
“We have truly realised the teachings of our saints, who always emphasised good sanitation practices,” Fadnavis said, commending the success of cleanliness initiatives.
He further praised the decision to suspend VIP access to darshan, which significantly reduced waiting times for common devotees.
“This move ensured that every devotee had equal and timely access to Lord Vitthal’s darshan,” he noted.
Earlier in the day, Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee vice-chairman Gahininath Maharaj Aosekar welcomed the dignitaries and expressed satisfaction with this year’s arrangements, citing effective crowd management and improved facilities for warkaris.
Following the ceremony, the committee felicitated Chief Minister Fadnavis. The CM in turn honoured the Warkari couple Kailas and Kalpana Ugle, who were also awarded a year-long free bus pass by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).
Fadnavis also presented the prestigious Shri Vitthal Nirmal Dindi awards to dindis (pilgrim groups) that excelled in promoting cleanliness and social awareness.
The event was attended by several senior state officials and dignitaries, including Guardian Minister Jaykumar Gore, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, and MLAs such as Samadhan Autade, Sachin Kalyanshetti, Babasaheb Deshmukh, Ranjitsinh Mohite Patil, Sanjay Sawkare, Devendra Kathe, and Abhijit Patil. Also present were Divisional Commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Solapur District Collector Kumar Ashirwad, and members of the temple committee.
(With PTI inputs)