Shiv Janmotsav Sohala held at Kolhapur’s century-old Shivaji temple

Kolhapur: Shiv Jayanti celebrations started here with the Shiv Janmotsav Sohala at the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj temple located at Nursery Baug on Sunday morning. The two-storey temple was built in 1911.As per a tradition that dates back to the reign of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, members of royal family took part in the birth anniversary event. Women sang songs, and the shahirs outside sang the powadas about the birth of the legendary king on February 19, 1630, at Shivneri. There were also songs describing the warrior king’s valour.Malojiraje Chhatrapati and Yashaswini Raje Chhatrapati presided over the function. The dignitaries then visited Shivaji Chowk to garland Shivaji Maharaj’s statue.Across the city, the pandals had been erected to celebrate Shiv Jayanti and people of all age groups participated in the processions with great enthusiasm. Among various eye-catching processions was the one organised by the Shivaji Tarun Mandal. The procession started from Ubha Maruti Chowk. People greeted youths dressed as Shivaji Maharaj and other icons in the procession. Mawala Kolhapur, another organisation, staged a play called ‘Pratapgadcha Mahasangram’ that showed the heroic episode of Shivaji Maharaj defeating Afzal Khan’s forces and killing Khan using tiger claws.Digital detox at Peth VadgaonLocal leaders and officials of Peth Vadgaon town launched a digital detox scheme to increase the habit of self-study and reading among children on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti. Such an initiative was first taken by Sangli’s Mohityanche Vadgaon. The television sets and mobile phones will remain switched off for one-and-a-half hours from 7 pm every day to let the children study, read and do their homework.