Keep the Farmers Happy and Content… Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Prays at the Feet of Lord Pandurang!

Honourable Warkaris Ramrao Basaji Walegaonkar and Sushilabai Ramrao Walegaonkar from Pota (Himayatnagar, Nanded) Selected for the Government Kartiki Ekadashi Mahapuja

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde extends Kartiki Ekadashi greetings to the people of Maharashtra Government stands firmly with the farmers
Warkaris are the real VIPs
Free ST passes for honoured Warkaris to continue permanently
Administration instructed to complete the Darshan Mandap work quickly

Pandharpur, Nov 2025 : To ensure that devotees get a shorter waiting time for the darshan of Lord Vitthal-Rukmini and receive all essential facilities—such as drinking water and seating arrangements—while waiting in queues, the state government had approved ₹130 crore for constructing a Darshan Mandap on the lines of Tirupati. Orders have been issued to begin the work, and the administration must complete it swiftly so that devotees can have smooth and timely darshan, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde instructed.

In connection with the 2025 Kartiki Yatra, the government Mahapuja of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini was performed at the hands of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his wife Lata Eknath Shinde, and the honoured Warkaris Ramrao Walegaonkar and Sushilabai Walegaonkar. Shinde spoke during the felicitation arranged by the temple committee.

Also present were Guardian Minister Jaykumar Gore, Horticulture Minister Bharat Gogavale, MP Shrikant Shinde, MLAs Samadhan Avatade, Abhijit Patil, Tanaji Sawant, Bapusaheb Pathare, District Collector Kumar Aashirwad, CEO Kuldeep Jangam, SP Atul Kulkarni, Temple Committee Vice-Chairman Gahininath Maharaj Ousekar, committee members, Executive Officer Rajendra Shelke, and other dignitaries.

Deputy CM Shinde said that lakhs of devotees visit Pandharpur during the Ashadhi and Kartiki Wari for darshan of Lord Vitthal-Rukmini. Therefore, the Darshan Mandap work must progress quickly to ensure better facilities and reduce waiting time. He added that VIP darshan stands have been discontinued, enabling Warkaris to get quicker darshan. “Because the Warkari is the true VIP,” he said, noting that the administration has planned well to avoid any inconvenience to the devotees.

Shinde added that farmers in the state are facing severe hardship, with large-scale crop loss. In this crisis, the government is standing firmly behind farmers and has announced a ₹32,000 crore relief package. A committee has also been set up to work on loan waivers. “I have prayed at the feet of Lord Pandurang to remove the calamities troubling our farmers and grant them days of happiness and contentment,” he said.

Honoured Warkaris currently receive free year-round travel through ST buses, and now this benefit will be continued permanently. A contract will soon be signed extending the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation’s land with the Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee for another 30 years. A proposal to allocate land from Survey No. 161 to the temple committee will also be submitted to the Urban Development Department next month, he assured.

Shinde said the government is committed to ensuring that Maharashtra ranks first in all sectors and that the flag of development continues to fly high through effective implementation of welfare schemes. A comprehensive plan will also be executed to free rivers—including the Chandrabhaga—from pollution. An additional ₹5 crore has been immediately sanctioned to provide better facilities to devotees during this year’s Kartiki Wari.

Deputy CM Shinde extended warm Kartiki Ekadashi greetings to all devotees and congratulated the honoured Warkaris. He also praised the arrangements made by the Guardian Minister, District Collector, local MLAs, and local administration during the Yatra. This year, for the first time, school students were selected as honoured representatives. Mansi Anand Mali and Arya Samadhan Thorat received this distinction.

Earlier, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, his wife Lata Shinde, and honoured Warkaris Ramrao Walegaonkar and Sushilabai Walegaonkar performed the government Mahapuja of Lord Vitthal-Rukmini. On this occasion, the 2026 diary prepared by the Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee was released at the hands of the Deputy CM and other dignitaries.

The introductory address was delivered by Temple Committee Vice-Chairman Gahininath Maharaj Ousekar, and votes of thanks were proposed by Executive Officer Rajendra Shelke.