Maha Aarti Performed By Pune Mayor And Police Commissioner On 129th Anniversary Of Laxmibai Dagdusheth Halwai Datta Mandir
Pune: A Maha Aarti was performed at the late Shrimati Laxmibai Dagdusheth Halwai Datta Mandir on Monday on the occasion of the temple’s 129th anniversary. Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure and Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar performed the aarti and offered prayers to Shri Dattaguru.
During the visit, Mayor Nagpure sought blessings for the overall development of Pune and the welfare of Pune residents. Speaking on the occasion, she said she had been visiting the Datta Mandir since childhood and felt fortunate to receive the honour of performing the aarti.
“After accepting the major responsibility of the Mayor’s post, I prayed at the feet of Dattaguru that decisions benefiting Pune citizens should be taken through me. I also prayed for satisfactory rainfall this year and for all dams supplying water to Pune city to be filled to capacity,” Mayor Nagpure said.
Temple president Punit Balan, executive trustee Raju Balkawade, vice-presidents Adv. Vivek Bhargude and Varsha Thorve, treasurer Suraj Thorat, festival chief Nitin Pandit, deputy festival chief Manishatai Khedekar, R. M. Dhariwal Foundation president Janhavi Dhariwal-Balan, and trustees Parag Kalkar and Mahendrasheth Gadve were present on the occasion.
Following the Maha Aarti, a devotional atmosphere was witnessed in the temple premises as a large number of devotees gathered to seek the blessings of Shri Dattaguru.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar also expressed gratitude to the temple trust. “While performing the duty of protecting Pune citizens, I had wished for many days to visit Shri Datta Maharaj for darshan. Today, that wish has been fulfilled. Getting the opportunity to perform the aarti along with my wife is truly a matter of great fortune for us. I sincerely thank trust president Punit Balan and the entire board of trustees,” he said.
