Latest news with #Mahapuja
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.
India Gazette
06-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
PM Modi wishes people on Ashadhi Ekadashi
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended greetings to people on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi. 'Warm wishes on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi! We pray to Bhagwan Vitthal and seek His continued blessings on all of us. May He guide us towards a society full of happiness and abundance. May we also keep serving the poor and downtrodden,' PM Modi posted on X. Earlier today, 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. The CM performed the traditional 'Mahapuja' of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini and later participated in the folk dance 'Fugdi' during a cultural event held on the sidelines of the annual 'Wari' pilgrimage. 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...' Amruta Fadnavis, the CM Fadnavis's wife, also participated in the Mahapuja and offered heartfelt prayers. 'I have prayed to Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini for the prosperity of Maharashtra. May the sorrows of our farmers be eased, and may the current leaders be granted wisdom and 'Sadbuddhi' (good sense),' she said. Ashadhi Ekadashi, also known as Devshayani Ekadashi, is considered one of the most auspicious Ekadashis, holding great religious significance among Hindus. The day is primarily dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and it is believed that on this day, he entered into a deep sleep (Yoga Nidra) in the cosmic ocean of milk known as Kshir Sagar. Lord Vishnu remains in that state for four months until Prabodhini Ekadashi, marking the end of Chaturmas. (ANI)
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.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ashadi Ekadashi: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, wife presides over Mahapuja at Vitthal-Rukhmini temple in Pandhapur
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife Amruta performed the Mahapuja at the Vitthal-Rukhmini temple in Pandharpur on Ashadi Ekadashi, amidst a gathering of over 2 million Warkaris. KOLHAPUR: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife Amruta presided over the Mahapuja at Vitthal-Rukhmini temple of Pandhapur in Solapur district on Sunday morning on the occasion of auspicious day of Ashadi Ekadashi. More than 20 lakh Warkari's have arrived in the temple town, most of which walking hundreds of kilometers to reach the temple town and get darshan of Vitthal and Rukhmini. Among them were Kailas Damu Ugale and his wife Kalpana from Jategaon, taluka Nandgaon from Nashik district who got the honour to preside by CM and his wife's side for the Mahapuja. The couple from Nashik was given free pass for state transport bus travel for next one year. Fadnavis briefing the media after the ritual said, "I sought strength to overcome the challenges and walk on righteous path for the development of Maharashtra. I also sought farmers welfare, they get bumper yield this year." When asked bout the allegations by Mahayuti leaders that people with extreme views have infiltrated the Wari, Fadnavis said that those coming in Wari must have thought of Vitthal on his mind and eager to get his darshan. Those come with agenda is absolutely wrong " Fadnavis praised the administration for reducing the time for darshan. He said that with the efforts, the Warkari's get darshan within five hour less than normal time. He also said that the Pandhapur corridor will be developed without destroying the livelihood of local traders, residents.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Palkhis of saints reach Pandharpur for Ashadi Ekadashi
Kolhapur: Palkhis of saints, which left for Pandharpur weeks ago, arrived on the banks of the Chandrabhaga river on Saturday evening following their final journey from Vakhri village to Pandharpur amid loud chants of "Mauli-Mauli". Shortly after their arrival, the warkaris took a holy dip in the Chandrabhaga and queued under the sheds set up by the administration for a darshan of the deities on Ashadi Ekadashi. One warkari said darshan did not necessarily entail charansparsh (touching the feet) of the deities. "Even the sight of their faces makes us feel blessed. Thousands of warkaris return from Pandharpur only seeing the kalas (gopur) of the temple." Temple authorities said over 20 lakh devotees thronged the temple town of Pandharpur for Ashadi Ekadashi. The increase in the number of devotees was attributed to the early arrival of the monsoon. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife also reached Pandharpur on Saturday noon for the Mahapuja to be performed at the Vitthal-Rukmini temple early on Sunday morning. On Saturday, Fadnavis inaugurated the CCTV camera integrated control room, the 'Harit Wari' app, the Krishi Pandhari agricultural exhibition, and launched the Bhaktirath (electric vehicle). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure your family's future! ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Ministers Manikrao Kokate, Jaykumar Gore, Jaykumar Rawal, MLA Gopichand Padalkar, and other senior administrative officials were present. Fadnavis said, "This year the warkaris have thronged Pandharpur in record-breaking numbers. Serving at the feet of those walking with devotion towards Lord Vitthal is, in itself, service at the feet of Lord Vitthal. All our saints have given the message of love for nature and cleanliness. They have also taught us to love rivers. We are working to implement this message of Dnyaneshwar Mauli through the 'Nirmal Wari' initiative. "
