The day marks the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who is the founder of the Maratha Empire Shivaji. The anniversary is celebrated across Maharashtra and is considered to be a public holiday.
According to the Gregorian calendar, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti also known as Shiv Jayanti is celebrated on February 19 every year”. Bharat is celebrating the 394th birth anniversary of the great Maratha ruler this year.
Shivaji was named Shivaji Bhosale and was a member of the Bhonsle Maratha dynasty. According to the Hindu calendar, “he was born at Shivneri Fort on the Marathi Shalivahana in Falgun’s Krishna paksha 3 in 1630”. He is known to be one of the greatest Maratha rulers who carved territory from the Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur which marked the beginning of the Maratha Empire.
According to historical records, “At the age of 16, Shivaji Maharaj seized the Torna fort, while Raigad and Kondana forts were seized a year later. He is also known to have re-established Hindavi Swarajya”.
The first celebrations of the respective festival started with the Maratha ruler Mahatma Phule in 1870 in Pune, Maharashtra. Freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak forwarded these celebrations. The contribution of Shivaji Maharaj came into the limelight with the efforts of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Tilak influenced people by highlighting his image.
Shivaji Jayanti is a Maharashtrian festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the state. Shivaji Maharaj is always remembered for his bravery as on this day people honour him for fighting for the nation. The cultural heritage of the Marathas is presented through different events and plays on this day.
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