- Every year on 19 February, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti (also known as Shiv Jayanti) is celebrated.
- It is the birth anniversary of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire, which is celebrated throughout Maharashtra.
- In 2025, India celebrated the 395th birth anniversary of the great Maratha ruler.
- Celebrating this festival first started with Maratha ruler Mahatma Phule in Pune in 1870.
- PM Modi also paid tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary.
Shivaji Maharaj
- Shivaji Maharaj’s name was Shivaji Bhosale and he was a member of the Bhonsale Maratha dynasty.
- In 1674, he was crowned as “Chhatrapati (Emperor)”.
- He was born in Shivneri Fort on the Marathi Shalivahana in 1630, according to Krishna Paksha 3 of the Hindu calendar Falgun.
- He is considered one of the greatest Maratha rulers.
- He carved out a territory from the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur, which was the beginning of the Maratha Empire.
- He is also known for re-establishing Hindavi Swarajya.