Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj Jayanti is celebrated as the birthday of Maratha emperor and warrior
King, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This great creator of the Maratha Empire is considered one of the greatest warriors of all time.
He is adored passionately
all over India and recognised as a great warrior, civil administrator and
national hero. The festival commemorates Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's works and
honours his great deeds, bravery and heroic triumphs.
The day is celebrated on a
grand scale with colourful parades, processions where people dress up like
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his associates and public shows enacting his
life. Floral tributes are also paid to the statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “Powada”, a traditional Marathi ballad
that narrates historical events and glorifies Shivaji Maharaj are also sung on
the occasion.
Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj was born on 19th Februray, 1630, in Shivneri Fort, 60 kms north of
Pune. His parents Jijabai and Shahaji Bhonsle named him Shivaji after local
Goddess Shivai.
His father Shahaji Bhosle
was the chief of the Bijapur kingdom. His mother had a great influence on him
as he was introduced to Indian epics of Mahabharata, Ramayana and other holy
books by her. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj also gained a lot of knowledge from
his father’s military tactics, peacetime diplomacy and also possessed knowledge
of Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures.
He was instrumental in
uniting the Maratha chiefs. His military and civil administration was of
greatest importance. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is known as the Father of
Indian Navy, as he was the first to realise the importance of having a naval
force, and established a navy and forts on the coastline to defend the Konkan
side of Maharashtra.
Shivaji Maharaj was
formally crowned as a Chhatrapati in 1674 at Raigad fort and henceforth came to
be known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He laid the foundation of a Hindu
empire, “Hindavi Swaraj”.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
will always be a source of inspiration and pride for generations for his courage
and military acumen. He will be remembered for his equality and justice towards
all religions, caste, creed and sex.
Salutions to the king who
rules the pages of history and minds of the people.
JAI BHAVANI !! JAI SHIVAJI !!
