Shivaji jayanti celebrated across Maharashtra

The occasion was celebrated on a grander scale at Lalbaug, Parel and Dadar, the Marathi heartland of the city. These celebrations were mostly by parties such as the Shiv Sena and the MNS.

The birth anniversary of the Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji, as per the Hindu calender, was celebrated across Maharashtra on Wednesday. However, the state government officially celebrates Shivaji jayanti on February 19, which is the date of Shivaji’s birth as per the historical records available.

Politicians garland a statue of Chhatrapati Shivjai before the commencement of the assembly session on Wednesday.(Hindustan Times/KP)

Saffron-coloured flags, along with political posters and their flags, were put up across Mumbai. The occasion was celebrated on a grander scale at Lalbaug, Parel and Dadar, the Marathi heartland of the city. These celebrations were mostly by parties such the Shiv Sena and the MNS.

To honour the warrior king, the state has already planned a mid-sea Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial in Mumbai. Upon completion, the 210 metre statue will be the tallest in the world, surpassing the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. The entire memorial will be built on an islet spread across of 15.96 hectare.

Also, beautification of the Raigad fort is underway and the state is making efforts to secure a UNSECO world heritage tag for erstwhile capital of the Maratha empire.