Mumbai: The 336th anniversary of the
coronation ceremony of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was today
celebrated at the Raigad Fort in the presence of thousands of
his followers.
Waving saffron flags, they took out a procession in a
tribute to the Maratha warrior this morning.
Water brought from all the rivers of the state was poured
on the main idol of Shivaji at the fort along with 108 golden
coins, replicating the original coronation which took place on
June 6, 1674.
Shivaji`s descendant Sambhajiraje, Shiv Sena executive
president Uddhav Thackeray, Finance Minister Sunil Tatkare and
Transport Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil were present for
the ceremony.
Sambhajiraje demanded that the state government declare
the day as a national festival.
The coronation ceremony was entangled in a controversy as
the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) declined permission
to hold any function at the fort citing provisions of
Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation)
Act 2010.
Following this, Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray had said
that his party would celebrate the anniversary of Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj`s coronation at the fort, irrespective of the
ASI banning any such function.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan then intervened
and spoke to the Centre. The permission was granted then to
celebrate the coronation ceremony ending all controversies.
Uddhav said they don`t need permission from the Centre to
mark the coronation ceremony and, henceforth, would not seek
any nod.
PTI
