shot-button
Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi
Home > News > India News > Article > Devendra Fadnavis to become first Maharashtra leader to perform both official pujas at Vitthal temple

Devendra Fadnavis to become first Maharashtra leader to perform both 'official' pujas at Vitthal temple

Updated on: 03 November,2022 03:58 PM IST  |  Mumbai
PTI |

He would be performing the 'Kartiki Ekadashi' puja at the temple in his capacity as deputy chief minister on Friday and would become the first politician in Maharashtra to perform both official pujas

Devendra Fadnavis to become first Maharashtra leader to perform both 'official' pujas at Vitthal temple

Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would on Friday become the first politician in the state to perform both official pujas at the famous Vitthal temple of Pandharpur.


He would be performing the 'Kartiki Ekadashi' puja at the temple in his capacity as deputy chief minister on Friday.


The customary puja is conducted on behalf of the state government at the temple, a major pilgrimage site and the centre of the Warkari sect.


Notably, as chief minister from 2014 to 2019, Fadnavis had performed 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' puja at the temple in his official capacity.
Two major pujas are performed at the Pandharpur temple Aashadhi Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi.

Ekadashi denotes the 11th day of the lunar calendar, four days prior to the full moon night. The month of Ashadh in the Hindu calendar generally falls in June or July while the month of Kartik overlaps with October or November.

Since 1985, the Maharashtra chief minister performs the puja at the Vitthal Rukmini temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi. Since 1995, the deputy chief minister was given the honour of performing the Kartiki Ekadashi puja," said a government official.

Also Read: Sena rebellion: Fadnavis says he asked Independent MLA Kadu to join Shinde

But no politician had ever had the distinction of performing both the pujas as nobody had, until now, occupied both the posts.

In Fadnavis's case, he became deputy CM in June this year in the Eknath Shinde-led government having served as chief minister for five years between 2014 to 2019.

"Fadnavis is going to be the first politician to get the opportunity to perform both the pujas, the official said.

In 1995, when Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government came to power, Manohar Joshi of the Sena became chief minister while BJP's Gopinath Munde became deputy chief minister.

The custom of dividing the two pujas at Pandharpur temple between the CM and deputy CM was started then to take care of "political egos" in alliance governments, said a senior political observer.

After the 2014 elections, the BJP, the single largest party, did not offer the deputy CM's post to its then ally Shiv Sena, he said.
But (then) senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse was given the honour of performing the Kartiki Puja," he said, adding that it indicated that Khadse was 'number two' in the cabinet.

"After Khadse's resignation, (minister) Chandrakant Patil performed the Kartiki Ekadashi puja in subsequent years, he said.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK