Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan offered prayers to Lord Vithal at Pandharpur in Solapur district on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi here today.
Chavan and his wife Amita performed the puja in the wee hours of the morning along with "Warkari" couple Atmaram and Meena Tare at the temple.
The Tares hail from Paithan taluka in Aurangabad district.
They were part of the lakhs of devotees (Warkaris) who complete the 21 day trek which commences from Dehu near Pune.
The main Pandharpur Yatra starts from the Sant Tukaram Temple at Dehu. The warkaris or pilgrims follow the Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi procession. This main procession is joined by other palkhis from other towns and villages like the famous Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhi from Alandi.
Every year, a "Warkari" couple is selected to perform the official puja with the chief minister and his wife.
Chavan said he had prayed for peace and prosperity in the state.
Over 13 lakh devotees from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh assembled at Pandharpur to offer prayers to Lord Vithal and Rukmini.
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh, gaurdian mInister of Solapur district Laxman Dhoble, rural development minister Jayant Patil, co-operative and marketing minister Harshvardhan Patil, tribal minister Babanrao Pachpute, law minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, assembly speaker Dilip Walse-Patil, leader of opposition in the legislative assembly Eknath Khadse and Pandurang Phundkar from the council were prominent among those who participated in the Puja.
The annual Pandharpur Yatra to the famous Vithoba Temple at Pandarpur in Maharashtra is an unparalleled pilgrimage that breaks the barriers of caste, creed, rich and poor.
