Shivotsav

 

Shivotsav

 

The period of 17th century was an era of chaos and a general discontent among the Hindu population of the Deccan. People secretly desired for a saviour who could eliminate the injustice and promise them the land to call their own. The liberator finally arose. History names him as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
        Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, great Maratha ruler was born on 19 February 1630 at Shivneri Fort in District Pune in the present-day state of Maharashtra. He was born as Shivaji Bhonsle and received his name after being bestowed with the throne and made a separate strong identity of the Maratha Empire. Shivaji was a part of the Bhonsle Maratha clan who were branched from the respected Sisodias of Mewar of the Rajput clan.

 

A small but efficient council of ministers along with the responsibility of his father’s Jagir in Pune, Shivaji began to fulfil his dream of making a land free from injustice and religious intolerance. The first conquest came in 1647 at the age of sixteen. He seized the Torna fort and gradually started annexing the neglected forts of Adilshahi in the vicinity of Pune.

For the next couple of decades Shivaji Maharaj successfully tackled the two mightiest dynasties- the Adilshahi in the south and the Mughals in the north. Step by step Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj secured the forts in the Western Ghats and Konkan coast.

The subjects of Shivaji already recognized him as king. But to fulfil his dream of Hindavi Swarajya, he needed a broader recognition. Hence the need of coronation arose.

As he was from respected Sisodias of Mewar of Rajput clan coronation ceremony also included a Rajyabhisheka that was traditional to the Rajputs

Crowning ceremony. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned as the king of the Maratha Empire after he performed prayer ceremonies and worshipped Mahadeva (Siva), Bhavani, and other deities for several days. The coronation took place on 13th day (trayodashi) of the first fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha, 6th June, 1674 at Raigad Fort.

The ceremony was conducted as per the shastras by Vishweshwar or Gaga Bhatta of Varanasi. Gaga Bhatta knew all four Vedas, the six philosophies and all the Hindu scriptures. Several learned men cross checked the Sanskrit texts and Smritis to understand the exact procedure. Many religious ceremonies were performed before the coronation and Shivaji visited major temples.

Shivaji sat on the throne adorned with emblems and other such auspicious materials. The priests chanted holy verses. The crowd sang praises; musical instruments were played and military artillery fired salvos simultaneously. Gaga Bhatt advanced and held the golden umbrella over Shivaji’s head. He was conferred upon the title of "Kshatriya Kulavantas Chhatrapati Raje Shivaji". The Rajyabhishek did not end with this. The Coronation ceremony was marked by the beginning of the new Era Known as "Shiv Rajyabhisheka Shaka". The coronation of any king had to be approved by the Mughal Emperor but Shivaji challenged the Mughal authority. In this way, Shivaji was formally declared as the independent King of Maratha Empire.

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