Wagh Nakh’s stay in Kolhapur extended till Oct-end

Kolhapur: The Wagh Nakh, which is claimed to be used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to kill Bijapur general Afzhal Khan at Pratapgad, will have its extended stay in Kolhapur's museum till Oct-end.State govt has decided to extend the display of Wagh Nakh brought from Victoria and Albert Museum of London to Kolhapur owing to the great response.The Wagh Nakh was brought to Kolhapur in Oct last year and around 1.5 lakh people have so far visited the museum. After Kolhapur, the last stop of Wagh Nakh before it will be returned to London's museum will be at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sanghrahalay where it will be on display till June 2027.After being brought to India, the Wagh Nakh was kept at a museum in Satara followed by Nagpur and Kolhapur. The Victoria and Albert museum has lent the Wagh Nakh to Maharashtra govt for a period of three years. The security arrangements have been made by the Maharashtra Security Force. Uday Surve, assistant curator of Kolhapur museum, said, “Around 1,500 people visit the museum daily to see the Wagh Nakh and Shivshourya Shastra Gatha — exhibition of the weapons used during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's time.”The museum is located in Laxmi Vilas Palace of Kasba Bawada where Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj was born. The state govt has converted the place into a memorial which too is attracting the crowd.