Devendra Fadnavis performs Mahapuja at Lord Vitthal temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi in Pandharpur

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday performed the traditional Mahapuja at the Shri VitthalRukmini Temple in Pandharpur with his wife Amruta Fadnavis on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi marking the culmination of the annual Wari pilgrimage undertaken by lakhs of devotees of Lord VitthalThe Chief Minister offered prayers for the prosperity of Maharashtra the welfare of farmers and the countrys youth while also announcing that work on the proposed Pandharpur Temple Corridor will begin later this yearFadnavis offers prayers for youth and farmersAccompanied by his wife Amruta Fadnavis the Chief Minister performed the customary Mahapuja in the early hours of SaturdaySpeaking after the ceremony Fadnavis said he prayed that Prime Minister Narendra Modis efforts to create new opportunities for the countrys youth receive greater strengthHe also sought Lord Vitthals blessings for peace prosperity and happiness in Maharashtra the wellbeing of farmers and the fulfilment of the aspirations of young people to help realise the vision of a Viksit BharatWarkari couple felicitatedFollowing the Mahapuja Fadnavis felicitated the Warkari couple Balasaheb Mane and Prabhavati Mane who were honoured during this years Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrationsThe Chief Minister also presented them with the Shri Vitthal Nirmal Dindi Award 2026 recognising their devotion and participation in the Warkari traditionRecord turnout for this years WariFadnavis said this years Wari pilgrimage witnessed an unprecedented response with devotees forming queues stretching for more than 25 kilometres to seek the blessings of Lord VitthalThere is no other celebration in the world like this where lakhs of devotees walk to seek the blessings of Lord Vitthal without any invitation he told reportersHe added that the state administration had made extensive arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and facilitate devotees visiting the templeTemple corridor work to begin this yearThe Chief Minister reiterated that construction of the proposed Pandharpur Temple Corridor will commence this yearAccording to Fadnavis the project aims to improve infrastructure around the temple and make the darshan process more convenient orderly and efficient in view of the steadily increasing number of pilgrims visiting the shrine every yearGovernment decisions aimed at serving WarkarisFadnavis said the Maharashtra governments recent decisions on farm loan waiver and free electricity for farmers were taken in the spirit of serving the Warkari communityHe described service to the Warkaris as service to Lord Vitthal adding that the state government remains committed to improving facilities for devotees while preserving the spiritual significance of the annual pilgrimageWith inputs from PTI