96 Swaraj Raths Pay Tribute at Shiv Jayanti Celebration

The World’s Largest Celebration Organized by the Shiv Jayanti Festival Committee Pune

Pune: As part of the annual tradition, the Shiv Jayanti Festival Committee, Pune, is organizing the grand “Shiv Janmotsav Swaraj Rath Procession” on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 9 AM, starting from Lal Mahal. This will mark the 13th consecutive year of the procession. The event will feature 96 Swaraj Raths representing Sarseanapati, Sardar, Subedar, Veer Mavalas, and Veer Matas, which will be the main highlight of the celebration, as stated by Amit Gaikwad, the founder-president of the committee and the conceptualizer of the event.

The inauguration of the procession will be attended by Shivaji Maharaj’s descendants, Member of Parliament, His Highness Chhatrapati Udayan Maharaj, Union Minister Muralidhar Mohol, His Highness Sanjivraje Naik Nimbalkar, founder-president Amit Gaikwad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic Branch) Amol Zhende, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) Milind Mohite, and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) Bhimrao Tapkir, Chetan Tupe, Siddharth Shirhole, Hemant Rasne, former MLA Dilip Mohite, Sangram Thopte, Sanjay Jagtap, along with representatives from all Swaraj family lineages. The event will also be attended by Police Commissioner Sandeep Gil, Sunil Rasne (President of Shri Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Trust), senior legal expert Pratap Pardeshi, and others.

Under the leadership of the main Swaraj Rath, Jijau Maansahab and Shahaji Maharaj Shivjyot, various legendary figures such as Sarseanapati Veer Baji Pasalkar, Sardar Kanhoji Naik Jidhe, and many others representing historic warriors and their families will participate in the procession.

Additionally, the “Maharani Tararani Shaurya Pathak” will demonstrate the warrior skills from the Shivaji era, along with 51 Ranraginis (female warriors) showcasing battle techniques. The Nadabrahma Trust’s Dhol-Tasha group and 51 Ranashing groups will also be part of the procession.