Maha celebrates 391st birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Pune (Maharashtra), Feb 19 (IANS) Maharashtra on Friday celebrated with enthusiasm the 391st birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who had laid the foundations of Hindavi Swaraj and the Maratha Empire, with several functions all over the state.

Leading the state at the main official function, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray flew in a helicopter to the historic 1.6km high Shivneri Fort near Junar town of Pune, where Shivaji was born on February 19, 1630.

The Chief Minister attended a prayer ceremony, paid his respects before the statues of of Rajmata Jijabai Bhosale and a young Shivaji erected at the fort, and then joined a group of women singing traditional lullabies and gently rocking a cradle with a doll symbolizing an infant Shivaji amidst joy and celebratory fervor.

Besides Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray, nominated BJP Rajya Sabha MP Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje, the 13th direct descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, actor-MP Amol Kolhe, local legislators Arun Benke, Vinayak Mete, Zilla Parishad President Nirmala Pansare, several other ministers from different parties and other dignitaries were present.