Shiv Sena to hold 'Maha Aartis' across Mumbai on November 24

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Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray is scheduled to participate in 'maha aartis' and 'deep puja' on November 24 at the banks of Sharayu River in Ayodhya for the cause of building the Ram Mandir. Meanwhile, the party plans to hold 'maha aartis' across Mumbai to mark the occasion "for those who cannot be in Ayodhya."

"The maha aartis are planned for those who wish to show their commitment to the Ram Mandir cause but cannot be in Ayodhya to do so," a party worker told Moneycontrol.

"All the party workers have been told to gather at designated spots around the city at around 6:30 pm... those coming in from afar have been told to come in at 5 pm. The local corporators would be present for them," the party worker said, adding that once the aartis are done, the participants will have to sign in a register "so that Shakha Pramukhs know how many people turned up."

Shiv Sena Andheri (East) MLA Ramesh Latke confirmed that the party is planning to organise 'maha aartis' across the city. "There are around 50 maha aartis planned for tomorrow across the city, and we are expecting a good turnout, thousands will come out in support," Latke told Moneycontrol. "There is, however, no reason to be concerned about the traffic snarls, we have taken all the precautions," Latke added.

Thackeray will visit Uttar Pradesh between November 24 and 25. He is scheduled to visit the controversial Ram Janmabhoomi site on November 25. The Sena chief had earlier slammed the Narendra Modi government for failing to fulfill its promise of building the Ram Mandir, and had announced during the annual Dusshera rally that he will visit Ayodhya and address a rally there.

The saffron party has been organising 'maha aartis' for several reasons. The party had first organised such events during the 1992 Ayodhya agitation and the riots in Bombay.