Team Goemkarponn
SATTARI: A grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be erected at the premises of the Baravansh Devasthan at New Colony, Morle in Sattari taluka. The foundation-laying ceremony (bhoomipujan) for the statue was held recently with traditional rituals.
The ceremony was attended by Morle Panchayat Sarpanch Amit Shirodkar, panch members Ranjana Gawas, Rupesh Malik and Shobha Gawas, along with office bearers of the Shiv Jayanti Celebration Committee. On the occasion, Shyamsundar Gawas and his wife performed the role of hosts for the bhoomipujan ceremony. With this, the process of erecting the grand statue at the site has formally begun.
For the past several years, the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has been celebrated with great enthusiasm at Morle. With the support of Shivaji Maharaj’s followers, alert citizens and local villagers, the festival is organised every year and includes various cultural and social programmes. Shiv devotees had long been demanding that a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj be installed at this location. A request in this regard was also made to local MLA Dr Deviya Rane, who had assured her support for the initiative.
Fulfilling this assurance, the statue will now be installed at New Colony, Morle, Sarpanch Amit Shirodkar informed while sharing further details. He said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is revered by all for his courageous decisions taken for the welfare of the people and for being a ruler who respected all religions. Shirodkar added that Maharaj’s ideals, administration and visionary thoughts should reach future generations and inspire youth. For this reason, the Shiv Jayanti Celebration Committee has been organising the annual celebrations with dedication.
Shirodkar further stated that many citizens had expressed a strong desire to see a permanent statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at this place, and this long-cherished wish will now be fulfilled. He praised the Shiv Jayanti Celebration Committee for its consistent efforts in celebrating the festival uninterruptedly over the years and acknowledged the cooperation extended by all concerned for the statue project.
Panch member Ranjana Gawas, while expressing her views, said that the installation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue at this location is a matter of joy for everyone. She highlighted that Maharaj protected his religion and subjects while facing numerous struggles, and remembering his legacy through such a statue is extremely important. She added that efforts are being made to ensure that the statue is erected at the earliest.
The bhoomipujan ceremony was conducted in a traditional manner. Shiv devotees, vigilant citizens, panchayat members, office bearers of the celebration committee and a large number of locals were present on the occasion.
