Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti Celebrated at Tanzania by Maharashtra Mandal

Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa, February 22, 2024 : Under the banner of Maharashtra Mandal Tanzania, the 394th birth anniversary of Hindu Hridaysamrat Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was celebrated with great pomp, enthusiasm, and pride in the auditorium of Lakshmi Narayan Temple of Sanatan Dharma Sabha located in Dar-e-Salaam.

This festival was organized by taking out a procession with the statue of Maharaj. Along with this, Bal Shivaji riding on horse along with his two Mavlas adding to the glory of this rally. In this rally, the women of Maharashtra Mandal dressed in traditional attire and performed Lejhim dance in front of the statue of Shivaji Maharaj and the men chanted Jai Shivaji, Jai Bhavani, filling the entire atmosphere with enthusiasm. This journey lasted for two hours, passing through the main gate of the temple, circling the CT Centre, and ending by coming back to the main gate of the temple. 

The chief guest of this program was Charge D’ Affairs (Acting) Indian High Commissioner Manoj Verma and his wife Poonam Verma along with Dr. Soumya Chauhan, Director of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre was also present. 

Kamalakar Bhatbhat, Founder and Patron of Maharashtra Mandal, Tanzania also marked his presence at the festival. Ruchita Ahirrao and Varsha Shirsagar of the Mandal together made a very beautiful and captivating rangoli of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the stage of the auditorium.

First, the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was installed in the auditorium and all the guests present offered garlands and worshiped him. After that, the program was started by lighting the lamp. The women of the Maharashtra Mandal celebrated the birthday of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by singing Palana song according to Maharashtra culture. 

His Excellency Manoj Verma said in his speech that the thoughts and ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj need to be imbibed by today’s young generations. On this occasion, Maharashtra Mandal President Shri Sambhaji Patil also expressed his views and said that only the bravery, strategy and efficient leadership of Shivaji Maharaj will benefit the country, for which we should tell our children about him and help them fight for Swaraj. Every parent must explain the work done. During the program, fatherly figure Shri Kamlakar Bhatbhat also expressed his views. 

In the same series, Nitin Waghmare, Country Manager of Ashok Leyland Tanzania Company, said in his statement that keeping in mind the ideals of Shivaji Maharaj, it is very essential to teach the policies made by him in schools and colleges so that the culture and war policy of our country can be taught and it can become stronger. 

Swapnil Ahirrao presented the Marathi language song i.e. Povaada which presents the story of brave men in a rhythmic manner and captivated the hearts of all the spectators and chants of Jai Shivaji Jai Bhavani started in the entire auditorium.

The song ‘Shoor Amhi Sardar’ in Marathi language by the local children of Tanzania was very popular at this festival. The entire auditorium burst into applause. Seeing the love for Shivaji Maharaj, the audience in the auditorium stood up and honoured them. After that, the children of the Indian School of Dar-e-Salaam graced the stage with an amazing dance performance. By presenting their dance to the song of Shivaji Maharaj, the members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh showed that they too are no less than anyone. It was a very beautiful presentation. Neena Mishra and Mahesh Sharma, two singers of the Hindi Hain Hum antarashtriya Sahitya Manch, presented a song in their beautiful voices, listening to which the audience was cheering them with applause from time to time.

The entire program was anchored by writer and editor Suryakant Sutar ‘Surya’ and Gaurangi Bhandare. Due to the impressive anchoring, the guests and the audience remained connected to the stage till the last performance. Nearly four hundred people attended this great festival by registering their presence. After the program, Maharashtra Mandal Tanzania also made food arrangements for all the people.