There will be a grand Shiv Jayanti celebration on the 396th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Agra Fort on 19th February. Shivaji Museum, being built at a cost of Rs 141 crore, is also in the news with laser show, cultural program and presence of distinguished guests.
Agra. Taj city Agra is once again going to resonate with the stories of bravery and valor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. On the occasion of his 396th birth anniversary on 19 February, a grand ‘Shiv Jayanti Utsav’ is being organized at Agra Fort for the fourth consecutive year. This event is being considered an important step by the Yogi government towards honoring the national heroes. Like every year, this time too there are preparations to celebrate the program on a large scale.
Agra Fort History: Historical incident of replying to Aurangzeb
According to Vinod Patil, President of the organizing organization ‘Ajinkya Devagiri Pratisthan’, Agra Fort is a great witness to the self-respect and courage of Shivaji Maharaj. It was in this fort that Aurangzeb put him under house arrest in 1666. But Shivaji Maharaj, with his intelligence and courage, came out from there and further strengthened Swarajya. This festival is being celebrated for the last three years with the cooperation of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra governments and the permission of the Archeology Department. This time too the program will be organized with full grandeur and Agra Fort will be seen decorated in saffron colour.
Shivaji Maharaj Laser Show Agra: Laser show and cultural programs main attractions
The program will start at 6 pm in Agra Fort. The Cultural Department of the Government of Maharashtra is the co-coordinator of the event. The highlight of the festival will be the grand laser show based on the life of Shivaji Maharaj. Along with this, there will also be drama, patriotic songs and cultural presentations, which will show their bravery and patriotism.
In this program, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde, Union Minister of State Prof. Many dignitaries including SP Singh Baghel and Maharashtra Cultural Minister Ashish Shelar will attend.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum Agra: Name of Mughal Museum changed
The Uttar Pradesh government is making continuous efforts to save the legacy of national heroes. In September 2020, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced that our hero is Shivaji. In this sequence, the name of the ‘Mughal Museum’ being built near the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal was changed to ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum’. This step was considered important towards strengthening the feeling of nationalism and self-respect.
Shivaji Museum Project 2026: Modern museum to be built at a cost of Rs 141 crore
This modern museum is being built in an area of about six acres at a cost of Rs 141 crore. The target is to complete it by December 2026. In this museum, through modern technology and interactive gallery, the life of Shivaji Maharaj, his struggle and the incident of his courageous escape from Agra Fort will be depicted.
Apart from this, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra governments are also working on a plan to develop ‘Kothi Meena Bazaar’ as a memorial. It was here that Shivaji Maharaj was kept under house arrest in 1666. A grand statue of Shivaji Maharaj is already installed in front of Agra Fort, which reminds of his indomitable courage and self-respect.