Latest news with #AshadiEkadashi
Time of India
08-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Over 27L warkaris visit Pandharpur for Ashadi Ekadashi
Kolhapur: Over 27 lakh devotees turned up in Pandharpur for Ashadi Ekadashi, a centuries-old pilgrimage, since Sunday, showed an analysis conducted by extrapolating the number of devotees per minute, observed via drone footage, across different time phases. The Solapur district administration deployed six AI-powered cameras mounted on drones to estimate the crowd size in Pandharpur. The drones, equipped with night vision and heat meters, flew in shifts from 4am to midnight, covering several kilometers and staying aloft for 15-30 minutes at a time. Based on the footage, the administration estimated that about 27.40 lakh devotees visited the town. Solapur collector Kumar Ashirwad said explained the preparations for the wari and said: "We studied the pattern in the last wari. We got hanger-type pandals at two places where the warkaris could comfortably wait for their turn for darshan. The hanger pandals helped us reduce the darshan time significantly. We also used heat-sensor cameras to ensure the crowded areas were controlled to the limits. Last time, we had nearly 22 lakh warkaris in the town, and since there was a good amount of rain and the farmers were done with their sowing and other agricultural operations, we expected a record turnout and accordingly the plan was made. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Искате да научите повече за новото BMW 2 Gran Coupe? BMW Научете повече Undo " The highest per-minute crowd of over 4,000 people was recorded along Chandrabhaga (Bhima passing through the town) river in the afternoon. During noon to 4pm, nearly 15 lakh people showed up. "Drone operations were disrupted because of strong winds and gusts, but the collected data was still analysed to estimate the turnout. The darshan process began at 4am, following the two-hour Mahapuja ceremony, and continued till midnight. Notably, even after Ashadi Ekadashi, hundreds of thousands of devotees visited the temple to pay their respects to Vitthal and Rukhmini on Monday and Tuesday," a district official said. The collector also received praise from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for ensuring the safety of the warkaris using advanced technology.
NDTV
06-07-2025
- NDTV
Elderly Couple Killed In Hit-And-Run On Pune Highway, Captured In CCTV: Cops
Pune: An elderly couple was killed in a suspected hit-and-run accident on the Pune-Solapur Highway near Bhigwan in Pune district on Sunday morning, a police official from Pune Rural Police said. According to the police, the deceased have been identified as Malhari Pawar (57) and Pankhabai Pawar (50), both residents of Ahilyanagar district. The couple was reportedly returning from Pandharpur after participating in the Ashadi Ekadashi pilgrimage when the accident occurred. The incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. when the couple was riding their motorcycle on the highway. A speeding oil tanker allegedly rammed into their two-wheeler from behind. Malhari Pawar died on the spot, while pillion rider Pankhabai Pawar succumbed to her injuries during treatment at a private hospital. Police further stated that the tanker driver did not stop after the collision and fled the scene immediately. Local authorities and passersby rushed the injured woman to the hospital, but she could not be saved. The entire incident was also captured on CCTV footage. According to Vinod Mahangade, Assistant Police Inspector posted at Bhigwan Police Station, "A case has been registered at the Bhigwan Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act against the unidentified tanker driver. Police teams are working to trace the vehicle involved in the incident." Further investigation is underway.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM performs Mahapuja with warkari couple at Pandharpur temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi
Kohapur: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife, Amruta, along with Kailas Damu Ugle and his wife, Kalpana, a warkari couple from Jategaon in Nashik district, performed the Mahapuja of Lord Vitthal and Rukhmini at the Pandharpur temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi early on Sunday. According to a longstanding tradition, a selected warkari couple is given the opportunity to receive darshan and perform Mahapuja rituals alongside the chief minister on Ashadhi Ekadashi. This year, the Ugles were chosen. The warkari couple received a free state transport pass for a year from Fadnavis. More than 20 lakh warkaris, a pilgrim sect, had reached the temple town for Ashadi Ekadashi. After the Mahapuja, Fadnavis said he prayed for the welfare of farmers. When questioned about reports of left-wing extremists infiltrating the annual wari (pilgrimage), Fadnavis said participating in the wari with a wrong agenda is inappropriate. "I prayed to Lord Vitthal to help farmers achieve a bountiful yield and ensure their welfare. Also, I sought strength and righteousness to work for the development of the state," the CM said. "People participate in the wari with only one thought in mind, which is to meet Vitthal and get his darshan. If someone participates with a wrong agenda, it is wrong," he added. Fadnavis was responding to allegations by a Mahayuti MLC that left extremist-minded people and atheists have infiltrated the wari. Recently, a right-wing group demanded the cessation of the "sarkarikaran" of temples. Fadnavis said the existing law for temple management cannot be called "sarkarikaran". Regarding opposition to the Pandharpur temple corridor plan, the CM said, "The administration has extensively held talks with local shop operators and residents of Pandharpur town. In no way will the plan be taken forward without consultation with the locals. Nobody's livelihood will be destroyed." Fadnavis commended the administration's efforts to reduce darshan time by five hours and ensure a nirmal wari by thoroughly cleaning the town. Typically, it takes approximately 12-16 hours for warkaris to receive darshan. This time, the administration employed AI-enabled cameras to monitor turnout and anticipated more than 23 lakh attendees during Ashadhi Ekadashi and the following day.
India.com
06-07-2025
- India.com
Elderly Couple Killed In Hit-And-Run On Pune-Solapur Highway, Captured In CCTV
An elderly couple was killed in a suspected hit-and-run accident on the Pune-Solapur Highway near Bhigwan in Pune district on Sunday morning, a police official from Pune Rural Police said. According to the police, the deceased have been identified as Malhari Pawar (57) and Pankhabai Pawar (50), both residents of Ahilyanagar district. The couple was reportedly returning from Pandharpur after participating in the Ashadi Ekadashi pilgrimage when the accident occurred. The incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. when the couple was riding their motorcycle on the highway. A speeding oil tanker allegedly rammed into their two-wheeler from behind. Malhari Pawar died on the spot, while pillion rider Pankhabai Pawar succumbed to her injuries during treatment at a private hospital. Police further stated that the tanker driver did not stop after the collision and fled the scene immediately. Local authorities and passersby rushed the injured woman to the hospital, but she could not be saved. The entire incident was also captured on CCTV footage. According to Vinod Mahangade, Assistant Police Inspector posted at Bhigwan Police Station, "A case has been registered at the Bhigwan Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act against the unidentified tanker driver. Police teams are working to trace the vehicle involved in the incident." Further investigation is underway.
India Gazette
06-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde performs rituals, prays at Vitthal Rukmini Temple on 'Ashadi Ekadashi'
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 6 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde performed Maha Abhishek of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini on the occasion of 'Ashadi Ekadashi' at Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Wadala, Mumbai on Sunday. Shinde performed the consecration of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini with milk. Addressing reporters, Shinde extended his greetings on the occasion and stated that the government has allocated Rs 25 crore for the temple's redevelopment. 'I wish the people of Maharashtra on the occasion of 'Ashadi Ekadashi'. Excitement can be witnessed among the Panduranga's devotees. Warkari community from all parts of Maharashtra visit Pandharpur to get a 'darshan' of Lord Panduranga and Mata Rukmai,' he said. Shinde told reporters, 'I prayed Panduranga to bless everyone and for the prosperity of the Warkari, Ladki Bahin and Ladka Bhau. This is an ancient temple, and the government has given a fund of Rs 25 crore for its redevelopment, and soon the devotees will get better facilities.' Shiv Sena leader Raju Waghmare wished the public on the auspicious occasion. 'Eknath Shinde said that Pandurang's blessing will be on all Ladki Bahin and Ladke Bhau, and we are giving good wishes from Shiv Sena to everybody in Mumbai and Maharashtra,' Waghmare told ANI. Speaking about Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray sharing one stage on Saturday as part of their 'victory rally', Waghmare said that Uddhav Thackeray is desperate to join hands with the MNS chief as his party is on a verge of extinction in the state. 'If you see Raj Thackeray's speech, he believes in Marathi, but if you see Uddhav Thackeray's speech, it was only directed at power and government. Maharashtra's public understood that Uddhav Thackeray is desperate to join hands with Raj, as his party is on the verge of extinction. All corporators from Mumbai and MLAs are with us and the Marathi people believe in Eknath Shinde, that's why we won 60 out of 80 seats we fought on. Shiv Sena got more than 80 lakh votes. Eknath Shinde is taking forward Balasaheb Thackeray's thoughts, so the public is with us,' he said. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande termed today as an auspicious day for the Sanatan dharma. 'Today is Ashadi Ekadashi, and thousands of devotees have reached Pandharpur. Today is an auspicious day for Sanatan dharma, and people from all religions and castes are visiting Pandharpur,' Kayande told ANI. On the 'victory rally', Kayande said, 'It is good that a family that was separated is uniting.' Speaking to ANI, Prasad Lad called for a Hindutva Nation and targeted Uddhav Thackeray over his 'victory rally'. Lad said, 'Today is a festival for Hindus, Maharashtra and the whole nation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis did pooja at Pandharpur, and Dy CM Shinde prayed at Prati Pandharpur. We pray that India becomes a Hindutva Nation.' 'The public has understood the truth behind Uddhav Thackeray's act of helplessness. I pray Lord Vitthal to give him a good sense and the 'green sheet' he is wearing turns into saffron,' he added. Earlier on Saturday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with his family, took part in the vibrant Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations at the Shree Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur. Speaking after the rituals, CM Fadnavis said, 'The 'Wari' is a very joyous moment. It unites the devotee and God. The energy of both joins together, and a new energy is created. I came here to experience that energy... Today, all our companions got the opportunity to offer this Puja together.' Reflecting on his spiritual sentiments, he added, 'As far as Vitthal Bhagwan and Pandurang Bhagwan are concerned, we do not have to ask anything from them because they know what is in everyone's mind. I have asked him to give us strength for the progress of our Maharashtra and give us the strength to walk on the right path. May our farmers get good harvests.' (ANI)
