25 July,2026 02:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The early morning rituals were conducted by the Mayor along with her husband, Rajesh Tawde. Pic/ X
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Saturday performed the traditional Mahapuja and Mahabhishek of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini at the historic Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple in Wadala, popularly known as 'Pratipandharpur', on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi.
The early morning rituals were conducted by the Mayor along with her husband, Rajesh Tawde, amid Vedic chants and devotional renditions of "Jnaneshwar-Tukaram", as hundreds of devotees gathered at the temple.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Tawde said she had offered prayers for the prosperity of Mumbaikars and the continued development of the Mumbai metropolitan region.
"Many devotees are unable to travel to Pandharpur for darshan. For them, the Vitthal Temple in Wadala is a revered place of worship known as 'Pratipandharpur'. On this auspicious occasion, I prayed to Lord Vitthal for the happiness, prosperity, good health and peace of every Mumbaikar, and for the city's continued progress," she said.
The Mayor also expressed hope that Mumbai would continue to witness all-round development and that citizens would collectively contribute to the city's growth.
Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including F North Ward Assistant Commissioner Arun Kshirsagar and office-bearers of the Shri Vitoba Ganpati and Mahadev Temple Trust, including chairman Uday Dighe, secretary Prashant Mhatre, treasurer Nitin Mhatre and member Uday Mhatre.
The centuries-old Wadala temple, affectionately known as Mumbai's 'Pratipandharpur', attracts thousands of devotees on Ashadhi Ekadashi every year. Devotees began queuing outside the temple from midnight, while the premises echoed with the sounds of cymbals, drums and chants of "Jai Hari Vitthal."
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Police and the temple trust made elaborate arrangements for crowd management, security and civic facilities. Following the Maha Aarti performed by the Mayor, Mahaprasad was distributed among devotees.
