Pune: The historic Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, witnessed grand midnight celebrations as thousands of devotees gathered to honor the Hindu King on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti. The tribute was held at the memorial located at the foothills of the fort and was marked by an array of traditional and ceremonial events.

A significant highlight of the night was the spectacular fire show, organized by the Shiv Jayanti Maha Utsav Committee. The stunning visuals captivated attendees, with many eagerly recording the vibrant display on their mobile phones. This year, for the first time, the event was celebrated with great fanfare precisely at midnight, adding to the enthusiasm and grandeur of the occasion.

The tribute ceremony included a traditional aarti, a ceremonial guard of honor, and an official salute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Several prominent dignitaries graced the occasion, including MLA Sharad Sonawane, former Deputy Mayor Alka Phulpagar, Deepesh Pardeshi, former Panchayat Samiti member Santosh Wagh, District Bank Director Pooja Butte Patil, spiritual leader Tukaram Maharaj Durafe, Yenere village Sarpanch Amol Bhujbal, Suralewadi Deputy Sarpanch Advocate Sachin Chavan, Darshan Phulpagar, Sachin Walunj, and Pradeep Devkar.

The event saw an overwhelming response from devotees, with the echo of Shivaji Maharaj’s chants filling the air, creating a truly electrifying atmosphere at the birthplace of the legendary warrior.