Ashadhi ekadashi fair cancelled

Aurangabad, July 17:

Lakhs of Vitthal devotees have been disheartened as the Pandharpur (Waluj) Ashadhi Wari has been cancelled for the second consecutive year due to Covid-19. The devotees have demanded that the temple be open on Ashadhi Ekadashi.

Lakhs of devotees from cities and villages throng to Pandharpur in Waluj to take blessings of Lord Vitthal. Several dindis (troupes) of Warkaris arrive at Pandharpur from all over Marathwada on ekadashi. Last year, the annual fair was cancelled due to the onset of coronavirus. Even this year, as the possibility of the third wave is predicted, the state government has banned the organisation of annual fairs and religious gatherings. Hence the fair has been cancelled for the second consecutive year. The temple trust president Rajendra Pawar on Saturday informed that the annual fair has been cancelled. However, the religious ceremonies will be held in the presence of few devotees. Meanwhile, the temple and the premises has been decorated for the ashadhi ekadashi that falls on July 20. The trust members have appealed to the devotees to take blessings from home. But devotees have demanded that the temple be opened for ekadashi with restrictions.