The birth anniversary of the Maratha King, Shivaji Maharaj, is celebrated as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti. Every year on February 19, Shivaji Jayanti is commemorated to pay tribute to the founder of the Maratha Empire. In 2022, Maharashtrians will commemorate the 392nd Shivaji Jayanti. The great emperor was the founder of the Maratha kingdom, and he was a bold, wise, and forward-thinking king in India.
Maharashtrians (people from Maharashtra) primarily celebrate this festival in Mumbai, Maharashtra. There is a public holiday on this day. The day is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm, honouring the great king with pride and glory. Various cultural activities are being held in Mumbai, Maharashtra and people dance and sing enthusiastically. However, because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there will be some limits and people must adhere to guidelines this year.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti: History
In 1870, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule established the Shivaji Jayanti event. He built Shivaji Maharaj’s tomb in Raigad, around 100 kilometres from Pune. The inaugural celebration of this occasion took place in Pune.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the great freedom fighter, was the one who spearheaded the event and was responsible for bringing King Shivaji’s vital contribution to light and immensely motivating people by stressing the image of the great emperor.
The emperor’s name, Shivaji, was derived from the local deity ‘Shivai.’ His administrative strategies, heroism, and fighting skills were well-known. He was instrumental in bringing the Maratha Chiefs of the Desh, Konkan, and Mayal regions together. His valorous efforts and major contribution to India’s history make him a renowned king, and people respect him for his achievements.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti: Significance
This day is honoured as a statewide holiday in Maharashtra, and it is marked with a great deal of elegance and enthusiasm. On this day, one could see the Marathas’ rich and diverse cultural legacy. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, people pay tribute to the heroic king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, by organising and participating in a number of cultural events. The significance of his birth anniversary is to honour the great king’s pivotal role in the construction of the Maratha Realm and the promotion of Maratha culture. Shivaji Maharaj was crowned Chhatrapati at Raigad in 1674.
