MH CM Conducts Mahapuja at Pandharpur

July 19, 2013: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithivraj Chavan today performed 'Mahapuja' at Lord Vitthal's temple at Pandharpur early this morning to celebrate Ashadi Ekadashi along with 12 lakh devotees. He was here to perform the first Puja at 0230 hrs which ended by 0400 hrs in the morning. After the Puja, the devotees were allowed to offer their prayers. The Chief Minister's wife was also present at the Mahapuja. Speaking with reporters Mr Chavan said, "I have prayed to Lord Vitthal to bring good rains so that the drOught situation will ease." "I am satisfied that there are good rains this year. Last year on this same day there was no rain and the state was suffering under drought condition," he said. The number of devotees have also increased this year as the farmers have done their job and joined the Wari, he added. The twelve lakh devotees who were gathered inthe temple witnessed heavy rains since early morning. After their holy dip in the Chandrabhaga river, they offered prayers. The state government has deployed 5,000 police and security personnel for the security of the devotees. Every year one couple gets the honour to perform the 'Mahapuja' along with the Chief Minister. This year a couple from Nanded -- Namdevrao and Gangubai Vaidya were given the honour to perform the Mahapuja. The elderly couple were regular devotees and had beencoming here for the last 20 years. Congress General Secretary Digvijay singh also arrived in Pandharpur and paid a darshan at Vitthal temple here this morning. Along with the Minister, state Co-operative Minister Harshawardhan Patil and other officials and ministers were also present during the 'Mahapuja'.

Source: netindia123.com, DT. July 19, 2013.