Aurangabad, Feb 19:
The Shiv Jayanti festival was celebrated in a simple manner due to Covid-19. Followers greeted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in every chowk of the city including Kranti Chowk. The whole city was abuzz with rallies organised by youths. People followed the rules laid down by the government during celebrations.
Shiv Jayanti processions and cultural programs were cancelled this year. Tributes were paid by Jilha Shiv Jayanti Utsav Samiti on Friday at 9 am at TV Center, Gajanan Maharaj Mandir Chowk, Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Cidco-Hudco, Pundaliknagar, Jayabhavani Nagar, N-7 and Thakrenagar area. Youths chanting slogans like Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji, Jai Jijau, Jai Shivrai organised motorcycle rallies. Utsav Samiti founder president Prithviraj Pawar, president Jagannath Kale, Working president Manoj Patil, Santosh Kavale, Anand Wagh, Rajesh Pawar greeted the idol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Kranti Chowk. Former MP Chandrakant Khaire, MLC Satish Chavan, MLA Atul Save, MLC Ambadas Danve, Dr Kalyan Kale, Subhash Zambad, Isa Usmani, Ibrahim Pathan, Vinod Patil, Abhijit Deshmukh and others were present.
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Replica of Shivneri fort, drums and saffron flags
Like last year, a temporary idol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was placed at Kranti Chowk. The place was decorated with flowers and statues of elephant were placed on both sides of the idol. A large scale replica of the Shivneri fort was built. That also became a selfie point for the youths. People were coming to Kranti chowk from midnight on Thursday to pay homage. The sound of drums and saffron flags was evident everywhere throughout the day. Women and girls were dressed in traditional attire. The costumes worn by some youths like Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj attracted attention. Powadas were being performed on the stage. A blood donation camp was also organised by the Samiti.
Flowers showered from a helicopter
A stage was set up at Kranti Chowk by the R R Patil Foundation with the slogan 'One King, One Anniversary'. On this occasion, flowers were showered on the idol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Kranti Chowk by helicopter. All the Shivaji statues in the city and district were also showered with flowers.