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Will take stakeholders into confidence while developing temple town, says CM Ekanth Shinde
Shinde with his spouse performed the ‘maha pooja’ of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini at a temple in Pandharpur town of Solapur district on the occasion of ‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’ on Thursday
Considering the resistance to the state government’s mega plan for revamp of Pandharpur, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said everyone will be taken into confidence while developing the temple town on the lines of the Kashi-Vishwanath corridor.
Shinde with his spouse performed the ‘maha pooja’ of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini at a temple in Pandharpur town of Solapur district on the occasion of ‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’ on Thursday
Addressing a gathering at the temple after performing the pooja, Shinde said, ₹73 crore have been made available for the development of the temple premises and everyone will be taken into confidence while drafting the plan.
“During the last meeting ₹73 crore has been sanctioned for the temple’s revamp. About the development plan for Pandharpur, we will not go ahead without taking everyone into confidence,” said Shinde.
The state government led by Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis have borrowed a leaf out of the Centre’s book with the plan to replicate the Kashi Vishwanath corridor model in Pandharpur, known to be Dakshin Kashi.
In April this year, Shinde and Fadnavis in principle approved ₹2,700 crore plan for a major revamp of the temple and area around Pandharpur. The plan includes widening existing roads, shifting shops, building parking lots, and creating facilities for devotees who come in large numbers.
This year on Ekadashi, over 10 lakh devotees thronged the temple town, the police estimates suggest.
“Rains have started in the state. I prayed to Lord Vitthal that the rainfall should be satisfactory in the state this year and farmers should be happy and prosperous,” Shinde later said.
Warkari couple Bhausaheb Kale and Mangal Kale, residents of Nevasa in Ahmednagar, got the opportunity to perform the ritual alongside CM Shinde.
Warkaris, the devotees of Lord Vitthal, take part in processions from different parts of the state every year as a mark of tribute to various saints. The pilgrimage concludes in Pandharpur town on ‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’, which is observed with reverence by the followers of Lord Vitthal.
