A 'Mahamrityunjay Yagna' is being conducted in Thane praying for the speedy recovery of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
About 1.25 lakh 'ahutis' (offerings) will be offered in 11 'yagna kundas' and religious chants will be recited through the day at the 'Yagna' that began this morning.
The 84-year-old senior BJP leader is on ventilation at the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi with a respiratory tract infection that is becoming a cause of concern, according to doctors.
The 'Yagna' being held at the Shiv Mandir in Manorama Nagar in Thane has been organised by several of Vajpayee's well-wishers including a former BJP national council member Omprakash Sharma.
Prayers are also being conducted at several places in the district for the veteran leader.