Mumbai, Nov 17 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday paid tributes to Shiv Sena founder-patriarch Bal Thackeray on his second death anniversary.

"On Pujya Balasaheb Thackeray's Punya Tithi, I salute the great man who always lived for the people & stood for their well-being," Modi said in a tweet from Australia where he is on an official visit.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also paid tributes to Bal Thackeray, while state Education Minister Vinod Tawde said that on this day two years ago, the state lost a great leader.

"Bal Thackeray ruled millions of Marathi hearts for decades. Prayers for his soul," Tawde said in a message.

Hundreds of thousands of Shiv Sainiks are expected to visit the Thackeray memorial at Shivaji Park Monday for which elaborate arrangements have been put in place, said party secretary and MP Anil Desai.

Party officials estimate that over two lakh Sainiks will offer their tributes, besides people from different walks of life.