- Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of the Maratha Empire founder.
- It’s a big day in Maharashtra, with celebrations, events, and plays honoring his bravery.
- Banks in Maharashtra close for the holiday, while in other states, they remain open.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, also known as Shivaji Jayanti, is a special day celebrated in Maharashtra to honor the birth anniversary of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. This celebration is a big day in the state od Maharashtra, and it’s even a public holiday, meaning people get the day off from school and work to commemorate this important figure.
Shivaji Maharaj, whose full name was Shivaji Bhosale, was born at Shivneri Fort. His birth date changes every year according to the Hindu calendar, but on the Gregorian calendar, it’s always on February 19th. This year, we’re celebrating his 394th birthday. Shivaji was born in 1630, and he was from the Bhonsle Maratha clan.
He’s famous for being one of the greatest Maratha rulers ever. When he was just 16 years old, he took over the Torna fort. Then, a year later, he captured the Raigad and Kondana forts. This was the start of something big – the Maratha Empire.
Shivaji Maharaj was all about freedom and independence. He even re-established something called Hindavi Swarajya, which is like self-rule for his people.
Now, celebrating Shivaji Jayanti didn’t start recently. It actually began way back in 1870 in Pune, thanks to a guy named Mahatma Phule. But it really took off when another important person, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, got involved. He was a freedom fighter and made sure everyone knew about Shivaji Maharaj’s contributions. He basically made him a big deal.
So, how do we celebrate Shivaji Jayanti? Well, it’s a big deal in Maharashtra. People celebrate with a lot of excitement and energy. We remember Shivaji Maharaj for his bravery and courage, and we honor him for fighting for our country. There are events and plays all over the state that bring back the cultural heritage of the Marathas.
One thing to note is that on Shivaji Jayanti, banks in Maharashtra stay closed. But in other states, they’re open like usual.
Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti is a special day in Maharashtra when we remember a great leader who fought for our freedom. It’s a time for celebration, reflection, and honoring our history.