The Maratha organisations have agreed to allow Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to perform the annual puja at Lord Vitthal temple at Pandharpur in Solapur district on the occasion of Kartik Ekadashi on November 23. The decision by Maratha organisation was conveyed to state government on Tuesday. Traditionally, the chief minister performs puja at Pandharpur temple dedicated to Lord Vithhal and Rukmini on Ashadi Ekadashi which comes in July. The Kartiki Ekadashi puja is performed by the deputy chief minister. Amid the Maratha reservation protests and state-wide tours undertaken by community leader Manoj Jarange Patil, there was uncertainty on the deputy chief minster’s visit to the temple town on Kartiki Ekadashi. On Monday, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had urged the Maratha organisations not to disrupt the tradition of state especially in matters related to worship and faith. Jarange Patil on Tuesday also appealed to Maratha organisations not to stop leaders from visiting temple. Jarange Patil said, “We have given state government December 24 deadline to resolve Maratha reservation. We should wait. Let everybody including political leaders visit Pandharpur temple. Don't stop them.” Accordingly, the temple trust have been conveyed the decision of Maratha outfits. In 2018, Maratha Kranti Morcha activists had threatened to disrupt Fadnavis visit to Pandharpur when he was the chief minister amid massive protests by the community over reservation. As per laid norms CM Devendra Fadnavis was scheduled to perform Ashadi Ekadashi in July, 2018. But MKM activists threatened they will not allow his visit to Pandharpur. Seeing the unrest Fadnavis had then decided to cancel his visit to temple town. Instead, he performed the puja at his official residence at Varsha in Mumbai. Twice in a year several lakh warkaris ( devotees of Lord Vitthal) undertake pilgrimage to temple town Pandharpur. The annual pilgrimage is once during monsoon Ashadi Ekadashi and second during winter November Kartiki Ekadashi. The warkaris across Maharashtra set out on foot to cover the long distances chanting hymns along the scenic route leading to Pandharpur temple.
