At a time when religious places remain closed for common people in Maharashtra in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, state Housing Minister and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad visited a temple of Lord Ganesh and performed aarti, inviting criticism from the BJP.

Awhad took darshan of the famous Navshya Ganpati temple located on the Gangapur Road and performed `aarti`, before leaving for Trimbakeshwar en route to Mumbai, sources said. Notably, the Nashik district administration on July 17 decided to ban the assembly of people at tourist spots in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Social, political and religious gatherings also remain banned to avoid crowding.