On the occasion of the Nathshashti fair in Paithan taluka in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, lakhs of devotees took a holy bath in the Nathsagar reservoir on Friday.
Devotees not only from the state but from all over the country come to Paithan to pay obeisance to Saint Eknath during the Nathshashti Fair every year.
The fair started on Thursday with the traditional puja conducted by district collector Dilip Swami and his wife. MLA Vilas Bhumre, Sub-divisional officer Nilam Bafna, tehsildar Datta Bharaskar, and other dignitaries were present. Swami participated in the Dindi and inquired about the Warkaries coming from different parts of the state.
People from various parts of the state came to Paithan in 627 palquins on foot. All the palquins were registered with the Paithan Municipal Council and were given number badges.
Teams were formed to provide basic amenities to the Warkaries. The devotees came through 39 Dindies from Buldhana district, 44 from Nashik, 20 from Pune, 3 from Washim, 5 from Akola, 2 from Yavatmal, 10 from Jalgaon, 3 from Hingoli, 1 from Dhule, 10 from Solapur, 1 from Nanded, 24 from Parbhani, 89 from Jalna, 6 from Dharashiv, 119 from Ahilyanagar, 90 from Beed, and 122 from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The municipal council provided mobile toilets, drinking water, health check-ups, parking, and other facilities for the Warkaries. A strict police bandobast was deployed.
