The day when our Great Hindu King Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was Coronated in the early hours of the morning. It was a memorable occasion for the whole of Hindusthan.
On seeing the Raigad Fort Shivaji Maharaj’s eyes were filled with tears. Even the land was waiting for Coronation. Marathi Throne, Marathi Land, Marathi King… Shivaji Maharaj who was always busy in the formation of Swarajya had never given that much importance to Rajyaabhiskhek. Shivaji Maharaj just wanted to free his land from intruders & wanted his people to live happily. That was Maharaj’s main aim.
However, some things are important. Although the land had become independent it was extremely necessary that the King had to be crowned to become sovereign. Otherwise, other kingdoms wouldn’t have recognized the land as an independent. By recognizing this need the Great Pandit of Kashi named “GagaBhat” arrived in Maharashtra. He had witnessed Aurangzeb’s cruel religious fanatism. Therefore he understood the need for a Hindu King & the Hindu Kingdom.
“Raje, Coronation must happen”. The whole of Raigad was in a Joyous mood upon hearing GagaBhat’s words. Aausaheb (Jijamata) became extremely happy and for a moment she remembered her little “Shivba”. The mother had seen a dream, filled that dream in her child’s eyes, & the dream now had become a reality and Today Vedamurti Gagabhat was mentioning that “ Raje, you did a great work of forming Hindavi Swarajya, but the work will only be recognized once you get coronated.”
Finally, that auspicious moment came. The coronation ceremony was finalized on Jyestha Suddha Tryodashi Shalivan Shake 1596 & on the crack of the dawn, Shivaji Maharaj was coronated as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Jijamata’s “Shivba”, Shambu Raje’s “Aaba Saheb” Maharashtra’s “Shivaji Raje”, “Shivray” of his fellowmen had now been coronated as Chatrapati. Swarajya was happy, Raigad was happy, people were happy, and everyone was happy. At the time, when the sun was rising from the east, the water of the seven sacred rivers was poured on Shivaji Maharaj as a part of a religious ritual. The Sun of Maratha Samrajya was also rising at the same moment which was going to shine on the Indian Horizon for the next few centuries. The first light of that Sun fell on Raigad on the day of Shivrajyaabhishek. The whole of Raigad was watching the ceremony with pride & satisfaction. Guns were pounding on the tower & Raigad was making announcement about the occasion to every fort in Maharashtra. Diwali was celebrated in every fort that day.
After the Rajyaabhishek Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was seated on an elephant with a Golden Seat. The rider of that Elephant was Sarsenapati Hamibrao Mohite. The procession went from the Darbar of Raigad to Jagdishwar Mandir. This procession was of Maharashtra’s honor & valor. Far away forts of Torna & Rajgad were smiling. There were tears of joy in their eyes. The great journey of Hindavi Swarajya began from these forts. The last forty years were completely magical & they were fully awake to see this great day.
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj entered the Lord Jagdishwar Temple. He folded his hands in front of Lord. Shiva. The celebrations were in full swing outside but Shivaji Maharaj was calm & silent. This all is not mine, I was just doing Karma according to Bhagwad Gita. With a sense of emotion, Shivaji Maharaj uttered “Har Har Mahadev”… The war cry of the Marathas. These three words were like the three Vedas for the Marathas. The valley of Sahyadri had experienced this war cry for the last forty years. Shivaji Maharaj had a deep faith in Shambhu Mahadev (Lord Shiva). Thirty years ago fifteen-year-old “Shivba” along with his peers had taken an oath to establish Hindavi Swarajya in front of Raireshwar Shivlinga.
Today the promise was fulfilled in front of Lord Jagdishwar.