Pune, Oct 7 : In view of the decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray has decided to reopen all temples and other religious places in Maharashtra from today after the gap of six months.

Maharashtra Minister Datatray Bharne performed Maha Arti at the world famous Dagadu Seth Ganpati temple in Pune this morning.

The Shirdi Sai Baba and Shani Shingnapur temples also reopened for devotee from Thursday after fresh directions were issued by Ahmednagar district administration in this regard.

Talking to UNI Ahmednagar district collector Dr Rajendra Bhosale on Thursday said that devotees will have to strictly follow COVID guidelines before entering the Sai Baba temple and Shanisignapur. It is still mandatory to wear mask and maintaining social distancing.

The NCP city president and former mayor Prashant Jagtap, NCP spokesperson Pradeep Deshmukh will also perform Arti in Pune temples on Thursday along with party workers.

Meanwhile, huge crowds of devotees were seen at the Dagadu Seth Ganpati temple here since morning, chanting ” Ganpati Bappa Morya” while entering the temple for darshan.

Huge crowds of devotees were also seen at Mahalaxmi temple at Sarasbaug in Pune on the first day of Navratri which began today.