Maharashtra: MSRTC honours Ashadhi Ekadashi Mahapuja couple with one-year free bus travel pass

Continuing its annual tradition of recognising devotees associated with the Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation MSRTC on Saturday presented a oneyear free bus travel pass to the couple honoured during the official Mahapuja of Lord Vitthal at the Shri VitthalRukmini Temple in PandharpurThe official Mahapuja was performed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife Amruta Fadnavis on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi marking the culmination of the annual Wari pilgrimage undertaken by lakhs of devoteesMahapuja couple honoured by MSRTCThis year Prabhavati Babasaheb Mane and Babasaheb Madhav Mane 70 residents of Gaurgaon village in Kalamb taluka of Dharashiv district were selected to participate in the ceremonial Mahapuja alongside the Chief Minister and his wifeThe couple offered prayers to Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini as part of the traditional ritual before being felicitatedFollowing the ceremony MSRTC presented them with a complimentary oneyear travel pass valid on its bus services continuing its longstanding practice of honouring devotees chosen for the official MahapujaAccording to the state transport corporation the initiative recognises the devotion of the Warkari community and the spiritual significance of the annual pilgrimage to PandharpurFadnavis offers prayers for youth farmers and MaharashtraAfter performing the Mahapuja Chief Minister Fadnavis said he prayed for peace prosperity and happiness in Maharashtra the welfare of farmers and the continued blessings of Lord Vitthal on the stateHe also said he prayed that Prime Minister Narendra Modis efforts to create new opportunities for the countrys youth receive greater strength and that the aspirations of every young person are fulfilled as part of the vision of a Viksit BharatLater Fadnavis felicitated the Warkari couple and presented them with the Shri Vitthal Nirmal Dindi Award 2026Record turnout for this years WariThe Chief Minister said this years Wari pilgrimage witnessed a record turnout with devotees forming queues stretching for more than 25 kilometresThere is no other celebration in the world like this where lakhs of devotees walk to seek the blessings of Lord Vitthal without any invitation he told reportersHe added that the administration had made extensive arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and facilitate devotees visiting the templeTemple corridor work to begin this yearFadnavis reiterated that work on the proposed Pandharpur Temple Corridor will begin this year to improve infrastructure around the shrine and streamline the darshan process in view of the growing number of pilgrims visiting the temple annuallyHe also said the Maharashtra governments recent decisions on farm loan waiver and free electricity for farmers were taken in the spirit of serving the Warkari community which he described as a service to Lord Vitthal