PANAJI
Shiv Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is being celebrated across Goa today with a series of programmes and events.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj shares a strong link with Goa. People in the State remember his role during Portuguese rule, when the Maratha king entered Goa and faced the Portuguese authorities.
His relationship with 17th century Goa was complex and strategic. He aimed to check Portuguese expansion and protect local rule. He strengthened regions such as Ponda and built the Betul fort to challenge Portuguese naval power. Though he did not fully conquer Goa, his campaigns, including the 1667 Bardez campaign, helped protect coastal communities from forced conversions. Ponda fort later became an important Maratha stronghold.
To mark Shiv Jayanti, the Goa government and various organisations are holding programmes across the State. These include the inauguration of statues and garlanding ceremonies in different cities.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant will garland the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Farmagudi at 10 am. Ministers, officials from various departments and other dignitaries will attend. A drama competition on his life will be held at 8.30 am, followed by an inter-college quiz at 9 am. A historical Marathi play on his life will be staged at 7.30 pm in the Ganapati temple complex, followed by performances at other venues.
The Dnyan Prabodhini Mandal’s Shree Mallikarjun and Shri Chetan Manju Desai College, in association with the Tourism Department, will celebrate Shiv Jayanti Mahotsav in Canacona. The programme will include a lecture series and felicitations in the presence of Suhas Phaldesai, president of Akhil Gomantak Kshatriya Maratha Samaj, and Dr Manoj Kamat, principal of Dempo College, Miramar.
In Pernem, at Shree Bhagwati High School, the Shiv Jayanti programme will begin after the morning prayers. It will include introductory speeches, speeches by students and the principal, a quiz contest and plays.
A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be unveiled near Tuyem Government High School. The statue has been crafted by young artist Umakant Poke from Morjim. Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar said it will be installed behind the school as per local demand.
The Keri Don Mad Bazar Committee will celebrate Shiv Jayanti with cultural programmes. On February 19, there will be Satyanarayan Mahapuja, aarti, prasad distribution and a bhajan programme. In the evening, a Romatamel procession will be held from Government High School, Keri, to Don Mad bus stand. Felicitations of people who contributed to society will be held in the presence of Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, MLA Dr Deviya Rane and panch members.
In Bicholim, various programmes will be organised at Dodamarg Government School premises in the presence of locals. The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be garlanded in the morning, followed by a village procession.
At Sanguem, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai will unveil a 30-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as part of a three-day programme with cultural events in the presence of ministers and other dignitaries.
In Margao, the Tourism Department and Margao Municipality will hold a procession from Ghogal to the Municipality square. Prayers were also held at Pimpalkatta in the presence of PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, MLAs and others.
In Mandrem, the Shiv Jayanti programme will be organised in association with Navdeep and Shivaji Maharaj Pratisthan at Sawantwada. The statue will be worshipped, followed by an acting competition at 4 pm and a play at 8 pm.
