MAHARASHTRA celebrated the 393rd birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with pomp in a series of social, cultural, historical and political events organised, on Sunday.

Governor Ramesh Bais garlanded a bust of Chhatrapati, then went to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park and garlanded the equestrian statue of the Maratha warrior king, and joined the celebrations organised with patriotic songs rendered by by the BMC’s Sangeet Kala Academy. For the first time, the State Song, ‘Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha’ was played along with the National Anthem in the presence of top officials. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister participated in the State’s official function held at the historic Shivneri Fort in Pune, where Shivaji was born on February 19, 1630, and years later was coronated as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on June 6, 1674 at the Raigad Fort.

Shinde said the Chhatrapati’s life, ideals and teachings continue to inspire us till now, and urged all to follow in his footsteps. The day started with women and men gently rocking the cradle depicting ‘Bal Shivaji’ birth, prayers, Maha Artis, and other rituals to mark the birth anniversary of the founder of the Maratha Empire. Earlier, Shinde paid floral tributes to the Chhatrapati’s statue at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.

The day was celebrated with poojas and artis, garlanding of the statues/busts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at various places associated with him like his capital, the imposing Raigad Fort, the Pratapgad Fort, Sindhudurg Fort and other places. In Mumbai, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised celebrations at over 300 locations in the 227 BMC wards with a large number of people participating. In Navi Mumbai, the Ghati Marathi Association organised a giant replica of the ‘Wagh Nakh’ (Tiger Claw) with which Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had killed Afzal Khan.