STATE PLANS MEGA CELEBRATIONS FOR ANNIV OF SHIVAJI’S CORONATION

MUMBAI: The Eknath ShindeDevendra Fadnavis government has planned a grand celebration to observe the 350th anniversary of the coronation ceremony of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on June 2 and 6. For the first time, the government has planned a week-long celebration.

The move is being perceived as an attempt to woo the Maratha voters, who were unhappy after the Supreme Court verdict struck down Maratha reservation.

The coronation ceremony of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took place at Raigad Fort on June 6, 1674. For the past few years, successors of the Maratha king, including former Rajya Sabha MP Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati have been organising the ceremony. This year, the government will hold two celebrations at Raigad Fort—first as per the Hindu calendar on June 2 and second as per the English calendar on June 6. Chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will participate in the event.

Successors of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have been invited for the programme along with dignitaries from across the state. The district administration will also organise a week-long programme at Pachad, the base village of Raigad from June 1 to June 6. A special chariot carrying ‘sahastra jal kalash’ (thousand water urn) with water from rivers across the country was green flagged last week by governor Ramesh Bais.

“For the first time, an exhibition of over 500 arms used during the period of Marathas will be held inside the Gateway of India,” Dr Tejas Garge, Director of Maharashtra Archaeology Department, said.