Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday left here for Pandharpur in Solapur district by road to participate in the annual ''maha puja'' of Lord Vitthal on the occasion of ''Ashadhi Ekadashi'' on Tuesday.

Thackeray himself drove his private vehicle as he left for the temple town, around 360km from Mumbai, accompanied by his wife Rashmi amid heavy rains in the metropolis and neighbouring areas. The chief minister's convoy is expected to reach Pandharpur, which houses a famous temple dedicated to Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini, in the night.