Pune: Grand Shiv Jayanti Celebrations At Shivneri Fort To Feature Top Leaders, Cultural Events
Junnar, 18th February 2025: The historic Shiv Jayanti celebrations at Shivneri Fort will witness the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, and other dignitaries. MLA Sharad Sonawane, convener of the Shivneri Shiv Jayanti Mahotsav Committee, announced that this year, the public will be allowed entry to the fort without a pass.
Speaking at a press conference in Junnar, MLA Sonawane provided details about the event. He was joined by former Zilla Parishad President Devram Lande, Suraj Vajge, Shiv Sena City Chief Avinash Kardile, former corporator Sham Khot, Vikram Pardeshi, Sandhya Bhagat, and other dignitaries.
A key highlight of this year’s celebrations will be the Chhatrapati Ambari three-dimensional entrance and the Shiva-era Shaurya Mavala entrance, which will be set up at Pardeshpura Chowk and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial in Junnar. A laser and light show will also be held at the venue.
As part of the festivities, the state-level wrestling competition “Shivner Kesari 2025” will take place on 18th February at 2 pm, with a grand prize of ₹1 lakh for the winner, ₹75,000 for second place, ₹51,000 for third place, and 20 additional cash prizes, along with a silver mace. Cultural performances will follow, including Shahir Ganesh Wadgaonkar’s “Gaurav Majhya Maharashtracha” program at 8 pm. At midnight, MLA Sonawane will lead a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, accompanied by a Maha Aarti and a fire show.
The main Shiv Jayanti ceremony at Shivneri Fort on 19th February will feature traditional tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. From 10 am to 4 pm, teams from across the district will showcase martial arts and stunts from Shivaji Maharaj’s era. At 5 pm, Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai will conduct the Maha Aarti, followed by a grand Shiv Jayanti procession at 6 pm, led by Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar. The evening will conclude with musical performances by renowned singers Vaishali Samant and Prasannajit Kosambi at 7 pm.
During the celebrations, MLA Sonawane will present a proposal to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, seeking action on long-pending developmental projects in Junnar taluka. These include the Darya Ghat project, a ropeway route to Shivneri Fort, a road connecting Khetepathar and Bhimashankar via Borghar, the Leopard Safari Park at Ambegaon, and the construction of five highway gates funded through CSR initiatives.
