Cultural events & colourful processions mark traditional Shiv Jayanti in Kolhapur

Kolhapur: The traditional Shiv Jayanti, marking the 395th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was celebrated in Kolhapur city and district with great festive fervour on a grand scale on Tuesday. Several cultural events and processions were planned in the region. People dressed in their traditional attire visited forts, especially the Panhala fort, and offered prayers to the statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
In the evening, a grand procession of the equestrian idol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was taken out from Mirajkar Tikti Chowk by the Sanyukt Mangalwar Peth and Rajarshi Shahu Mandal in the presence of dhol troops, horses, and bullock carts. Thousands of people took part in this procession. Children sitting on horses, dressed in the attire of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, attracted attention.
Sanyukt Uttareshwar Peth, Sanyukt Panchaganga Shukrawar Peth, Bagal Chowk Tarun Mandal, and Vijay Swatantrya Tarun Mandal from the Kasba Bawda area also took out colourful processions.
Mahesh Mane, a member of Shukrawar Peth, said, "Shiv Jayanti is almost like a festival for every follower of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In Kolhapur, all three Shiv Jayantis are celebrated."
Heavy police bandobust was deployed across the city. The city's streets were congested, especially in Chhatrapati Shivaji Chowk, Mahadwar Road, Rankala Tower, Binkhambi Ganesh Mandir, Mirajkar Tikti, Rajarampuri, Bagal Chowk, Kasba Bawda, and Panchaganga Ghat Road in the evening.