Beed, Apr 9 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday praised the Warkari sect in Maharashtra, whose followers worship Lord Vitthal, saying this religious order did not stop even after facing attacks for hundreds of years.
He was addressing a gathering at the concluding ceremony of the 94th 'Narali Saptaha' (week-long event) held at Mhasobawadi in Ashti tehsil of Beed district.
Referring to the annual 'wari' or pilgrimage undertaken by the devotees, Fadnavis said, "The Warkari sect is very important. It did not stop even after facing attacks for 800 to 1000 years. People go to (the temple town of) Pandharpur despite facing several obstacles."
"During the annual pilgrimage, very few (pilgrims) get the actual darshan of Lord Vitthal (idol) and lakhs of people return home after only seeing the temple's pinnacle. Nevertheless, members of this sect undertake the pilgrimage every year," he said.
He also said that his government was committed to the comprehensive development of Shri Kshetra Gahininath Gad, a prominent religious site of the Nath sect in Beed district.
"Whether it is road expansion or any other infrastructure requirement of the Gahininath Gad, I am committed to resolving every issue," he said.
The 'dindi' (group of pilgrims) that goes to Pandharpur from Gahininath Gad every year needs a good road, he said, adding that its construction work will be undertaken.
He also praised the discipline and organization of the Narali Saptaha event organised in different villages.
"The 'saptaha' programmes of Gahininath Gad are hosted by different villages and its schedule till 2039 is ready. This is the only example I have seen. Small villages take the responsibility of organizing this big event. This energy helps to keep the community united. When people from various communities come together, it helps to build a strong social cohesion."
State Environment Minister Pankaja Munde, NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde and BJP legislator Suresh Dhas also spoke on the occasion.