Shivaji Jayanti: CM Shinde, Deputy CMs pay tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Shivneri Fort

Pic/Maharashtra CMO

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as well as Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar paid tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary on Monday at Shivneri Fort in Pune, reported news agency PTI.

The legendary warrior king was born in 1630 in Shivneri in the district's Junnar tehsil.

Shinde and the two deputy CMs attended various programmes to mark the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti, including the 'cradle ceremony' at the fort, reported PTI.

A large number of followers of the emperor are expected to gather at the site through the day to pay tribute, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday offered floral tribute to the statue of Shivaji in Chembur, Mumbai, reported ANI.

This year marks the 394th birthday of the heroic Maratha king.

Taking to his 'X' account, the Chief Minister paid tribute to Shivaji Maharaj, saying, "Salutations to the revered deity of Akhand Hindustan, the founder of Hindavi Swarajya, Maharajadhiraj Shri #Chhatrapati #Shivaji_Maharaj on his birth anniversary."

CM Shinde also performed the bhumi pujan for the beautification of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj circle and statue. Mumbai Metropolitan Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, MP Rahul Shewale, and other Shiv Sena workers and officials were present on the occasion. Former MLA Tukaram Kate expressed his gratitude to CM Eknath Shinde on the occasion, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, people in Nagpur, Maharashtra, gathered in large numbers on the streets and offered Aarti as a part of celebrations of the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, reported ANI.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a 17th-century Indian warrior king who founded the Maratha Empire. He is considered to be one of the greatest warriors in Indian history.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj birth anniversary or Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti is commemorated every year on February 19.

The 394th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would celebrated with a cultural programme in the Diwan-e-Aam premises of the Agra Fort here on Monday evening, officials said, reported PTI.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has given its nod for the programme, superintending archaeologist of ASI Raj Kumar Patel said. "The event would begin at 7 pm and would run till 10 pm on Monday on February 19," he said, reported PTI.

The event is being organised by Maharashtra-based Ajinkya Deogiri Pratisthan and the Ministry of Cultural Department of Maharashtra, which is a co-organiser of the programme, reported PTI.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)