Jijau Jayanti Celebration at Rajgad on Sunday (12th January)

Pune: The grand celebration of the 427th birth anniversary of Rajmata Jijau, the mother of the founder of the first democratic independent nation, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, will take place on Sunday, 12th January, at Rajgad Fort. Rajgad was the first capital of the Hindavi Swarajya (Hindu Kingdom) established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Various programs have been organized to pay homage at Mavala Teerth in Pal Budruk-Khatpewadi, where notable personalities from across the nation will be honored, including eminent women and workers from different fields.

The event will begin at 7:30 AM with Rajgad Poojan by Shivaji Bhorekar and Vinod Dighe. At 8:30 AM, the Fort Climbing Competition will be inaugurated by Principal Ajitkumar Kondhalkar and Nanasahab Shilimkar. Various activities such as fort poojan, fort climbing competitions, lectures, and more will be conducted by the Mavala Jawan Sanghatna.

The event will also include:

• A special pooja by MLA Shankar Mandekar.
• Shiv Vandana by Swami Sunil Maharaj Jangam of Raayreshwar Shivpeeth.
• A demonstration of Shivakaline war techniques by Girish Bhairu Narvekar and his team from the Kolhapur Mardani Akhada.
• A lecture on Jijau’s biography by Shivlecturer Vitthal Danawale.

Prominent figures like former MLA Sangram Thopte, Bhagwanrao Pasalkar (President, Pune District Milk Federation), Anita Ingale (Former Member of Zilla Parishad), Dinkar Dharpale, Vikas Kharat (Sub-divisional Officer, Bhor), and many other local leaders, as well as descendants of Shivaji Maharaj’s soldiers, will participate.

The prestigious ‘Rajmata Jijau Gaurav’ award will be presented to Ranjana Hange from Indapur and former ideal Sarpanch Gauri Bharatvansh from Bhukum. The ‘Mavala Gaurav’ award will be presented to social worker Ashok Chorge from Kolwadi. Several eminent personalities from across India will be honored during this event.

The Mavala Jawan Sanghatna has been organizing this annual Jijau Jayanti celebration for the past 41 years to commemorate the legacy of Jijau, Shivaji Maharaj, and the Mavlas (soldiers). Programs like Shahiri Powada (poetry), Shivakalin Shastrakhel (medieval weaponry games), and a Palakhi Procession will also be part of the celebrations, as shared by the founder of the Sanghatna and historian Dattatray Nalawade.