CM visits Lord Vittal-Rukumai temple, prays for a good monsoon

Wednesday morning saw chief minister Prithviraj Chavan celebrating Aashadi Ekadashi by performing the traditional puja at the Lord Vittal-Rukumai temple at Pandharpur.

Though Mumbai and its surrounding areas received a decent amount of rainfall over the past few days, many parts of the state remain dry. Seeing as only 2% sowing of crops has been carried out so far, it doesn't come as a surprise that the CM said that he prayed for a good monsoon and a drought-free state.

After performing the puja of Lord Vitthal and Rukmini, CM Chavan also said, "I sought peace and prosperity in the state," hoping the rain gods would smile on the farmers soon.

As per the temple tradition, the CM and his wife (Satvasheela) have the right to perform the first puja on Aashadi Ekadashi, when lakhs of devotees visit from near and far.

Pandharpur is a pilgrimage city on the banks of the river Chandrabhaga in Solapur district. Warkaris, devotees of Lord Vittal, march on foot from all over the state and converse at Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi day.