Ba Vitthala… bless the farmers with happiness and contentment, remove the crises over the state, and grant everyone the wisdom to live righteously"

 "Ba Vitthala… bless the farmers with happiness and contentment, remove the crises over the state, and grant everyone the wisdom to live righteously" – Chief Minister’s prayer at the feet of Lord Vitthal

 

On the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the grand puja of Vitthal-Rukmini

Pandharpur, July ६ – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis prayed to Lord Pandurang to give strength to remove the crises over the state, to grant wisdom to follow the righteous path, and to bless the farmers with happiness and contentment.

On the occasion of Ashadhi Shuddha Ekadashi, the official grand puja of Lord Vitthal and Rukmini was performed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with his wife and the honored Warkari couple Shri Kailas Damu Ugle and Mrs. Kalpana Kailas Ugle. After the puja, the Chief Minister was felicitated by the Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee, during which he addressed the gathering.

Present on the occasion were Guardian Minister Jaykumar Gore, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis, MLAs Samadhan Awatade, Sachin Kalyanshetty, Babasaheb Deshmukh, Ranjitsinh Mohite Patil, Sanjay Sawkare, Devendra Kothe, Abhijeet Patil, Divisional Commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, District Collector Kumar Aashirwad, Vice President of the Temple Committee Gahininath Maharaj Ausekar, Executive Officer Rajendra Shelke, all committee members, and other dignitaries.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the tradition of the Wari is growing continuously, and this year it has set a new record. A large number of Warkaris have walked long distances to reach Pandharpur for the darshan of Lord Pandurang. Along with organized Dindis, many Warkaris also came walking independently. Notably, there was a significant presence of youth among them. He mentioned that the government and administration have provided good facilities for the Warkaris. Under the leadership of Guardian Minister Gore, excellent German hangars were arranged, which offered great comfort to the devotees.

Performing puja of Pandurang on Ashadhi Ekadashi is a joyful moment in everyone’s life. Many Warkaris walked on their own along with the Dindis. In the Wari, each person sees Pandurang in others – such a tradition exists nowhere else in the world. Chanting the name of Hari during the Wari infuses new energy. The Wari truly upholds the spirit of the Bhagavat Dharma. This culture of ours is divine. He wished that the honored Warkaris continue to receive the blessings of Pandurang.

He also praised the concept of ‘Nirmal Wari’ (Clean Wari), saying that the arrangements were excellent and there was no visible uncleanliness anywhere. Alongside cleanliness, the Wari was also eco-friendly and green. The message of cleanliness given by our saints was visibly experienced through this Wari. He emphasized the importance of spiritual progress in the overall development of the state.

The Chief Minister also noted that the decision taken by the Guardian Minister and the district administration to ban VIP darshan resulted in reducing the darshan time for the common devotees by five hours, which was a welcome move.

At the beginning of the program, Vice President of the Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee, Gahininath Maharaj Ausekar, proposed that due to the excellent facilities provided by the government and district administration this year, the Warkaris are very satisfied, and their number has increased with appropriate control being maintained.

The honored Warkaris for the official grand puja, Shri Kailas Ugle and Kalpana Ugle from Jategaon, Taluka Nandgaon, District Nashik, were felicitated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife Amruta Fadnavis after the puja. Additionally, they were presented with a complimentary year-long ST bus pass from the ST Corporation at the hands of the Chief Minister.

 

Shri Vitthal Nirmal Dindi Awards distributed by the Chief Minister

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis honored the Dindis that promoted cleanliness and social awareness during their Wari with the "Shri Vitthal Nirmal Dindi" awards. First Prize: Shri Sant Rohidas Dindi No. 13, Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Procession. Second Prize: Shri Balkrushnabuva Warkari Dindi No. 19, Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Procession. Third Prize: Shri Guru Balasaheb Aajrekar Dindi No. 23, Shri Sant Dnyanesh