Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2026
Sri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was one of the bravest, most progressive and sensible rulers of India. Founder of the Maratha kingdom, Shivaji Maharaj managed to establish a royal name for himself in history with his administrative skills by uploading the Swarajya value and the Maratha heritage.
Named after a regional Goddess, Shivai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was known for his bravery and tactics with which he won number of wars against the Mughals. His feud with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, killing of Afzal Khan, general of the Bijapur Sultanate and many more are some of the brave stories everyone have heard of. He was formally crowned as the Chhatrapati (Monarch) of his realm at Raigad in 1674.
When is Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2026 ?
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2026 Date
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born on February 19, 1630, in Shivneri Fort of Pune’s Junnar tehsil.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is recognised for his administration, courage and combat skills and the day of Sri Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated with great vigour and traditional style by Maharashtrians. This day is a public holiday in the state of Maharashtra.
Shivaji Jayanti is commemorated on February 19 to honor the founder of the Maratha Kingdom with joy and pride. The date of February 19, 1630 has been accepted as the birth anniversary of Shivaji Jayanti by the government of Maharashtra. If February 19, 1630 is converted from Julian calendar to Hindu lunar calendar (as per Amanta lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra), it marks Krishna Paksha Tritiya during Phalguna month as birth anniversary of Shivaji.
Shivaji Jayanti 2026 Date and Timings
This is 396th Birth Anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji
Shivaji Jayanti 2026 Date - Thursday, February 19, 2026 (English Calendar)
Shivaji Jayanti 2026 Date - Friday, March 06, 2026 (Hindu Calendar)
Tritiya Tithi Begins - 05:03 PM on Mar 05, 2026
Tritiya Tithi Ends - 05:53 PM on Mar 06, 2026
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti: History and Significance
Shivaji Jayanti was established in 1870 by Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. The first celebration was held in Pune. Freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak also played a role in promoting and highlighting Shivaji Maharaj’s achievements to the general public.
Shivaji Maharaj was the first one to introduce guerrilla fighting techniques with his Maratha army. He brought together the Maratha chiefs of the Mayal, Konkan and Desh areas. Shivaji Maharaj also promoted the use of regional languages like Marathi and Sanskrit in court and administration to discard the Persian language.
Shivaji Maharaj was the first to realise the importance of having a naval force and thus is known as the Father of Indian Navy. He is said to have innovated military tactics and mastered unconventional methods. He revived the ancient Hindu political traditions and court conventions. Shivaji Maharaj established a navy and forts at the coastline to defend Maharashtra on Konkan's side. Jaigad, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg forts are a testimony to Shivaji's efforts, ideas and valour. It is said that his mother prayed to regional Goddess Shivai and was blessed with the child and thus the name Shivaji was given to the great Maratha ruler.
Chhatrapati Shivaji was the first one to establish a Hindavi Swarajya (Self-rule) in his era.
In Maharasthra, it is celebrated in a grand manner with huge bike processions taken out across the state. Several programs dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj are organised all over the state every year.
Known for his great courage, at 16 years of age, Shivaji Maharaj captured the Torna fort and when he was 17, he succeeded in capturing the Raigad and Kondana forts. He formed his own enclave from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur which heralded the start of the Maratha Empire.
It is observed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti or Shiv Jayanti in 1870 since Mahatma Jyotirao Phule discovered the tomb of Shivaji in Raigad, Pune.
Sri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj - Founder of Maratha Empire
Shivaji Maharaj was named after the native Goddess Shivai, who had granted his mother’s wish for a son. The founder of the Maratha state, Shivaji Maharaj is recognised for his administration, courage, and combat skills. He was the first one to introduce guerrilla fighting techniques through his Maratha army.
With the Maratha state at a decline during his growing years, he challenged the Mughal rule and the Deccan Sultanates successfully to found a flourishing Maratha kingdom. His skirmishes with Aurangzeb were well known. Aurangzeb was never able to make the daring hero submit to himself.
Shivaji was instrumental in bringing the Maratha chiefs of the Mayal, Konkan, and Desh areas together. Shivaji also promoted the use of regional languages like Marathi and Sanskrit in court and administration and ditched the usual language of his time, Persian.
History of Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule established Shivaji Jayanti in 1870. The Shivaji Maharaj tomb was discovered by Mahatma Jyotirao Phule in Raigad, around 100 kilometres from Pune.
The first Shivaji Jayanti celebrations were held in Pune. Later renowned freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak was instrumental in popularising the festival all the more by promoting it and also highlighting Shivaji Maharaj’s achievements to the general public.
Shivaji Jayanti Celebrations
In Maharashtra, Shivaji Jayanti is a state-wide holiday that is observed with much pomp and devotion. The Marathas’ rich and diversified cultural history is also celebrated on this day. The importance of the great leader’s contributions is remembered by a large number of people in the forms of dance and plays that are enacted.
When you are enthusiastic, the mountain also looks like a clay pile - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had said this. He was the founder of the Maratha Empire. Chhatrapati Shivaji is considered to be among the greatest Indian warriors of his time. A great military administrator and tactician, Chhatrapati Shivaji fought and won several wars against the Mughals. He was crowned as the “Chhatrapati [Emperor]” in 1674. His bravery and quotes on life continue to inspire us. People across the nation, especially in Maharashtra, observe his birth anniversary as Shivaji Jayanti.
And, to mark Shivaji Jayanti, we have prepared a list of Shivaji Jayanti wishes, quotes, messages and WhatsApp greetings that you can share with your family and friends. Here are these:
Shivaji Jayanti Wishes, Shivaji Jayanti Quotes
- Shivaji Jayanti will always remind us of the courageous hero of our country who lived and died for the nation
- Let us celebrate Shivaji Jayanti by promising ourselves to always walk the path of righteousness like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and make our nation proud
- Shivaji Jayanti reminds us of the courageous acts of Chhatrapati Shivaji which will inspire the coming generations forever. Happy Shivaji Jayanti to you
- If we can take inspiration from the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji then it will be the best thing we can do for our lives…. Best wishes on Shivaji Jayanti
- We are fortunate to be born on the land where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born. It is truly a pride for us to share his motherland with a courageous soul like him…. Happy Shivaji Jayanti.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji inspired many souls when he was alive and he will continue to motivate the youth of the country for generations to come
- Inspiration, courage, commitment, dedication…For him, everything started with love for his country…. Happy Shivaji Jayanti.
- On the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti, I am sending my warmest greetings to all of you for a successful future
Happy Shivaji Jayanti Whatsapp Quotes and Wishes
1. “Freedom is a boon, which everyone has the right to receive”
2. “Never bend your head, always hold it high”
3. जगातील एकमेव राजा असा आहे,
ज्याचा जन्म आणि मृत्यू किल्ल्यावरच झाला,
तो राजा म्हणजेच छत्रपती श्री शिवाजी महाराज.
शिव जयंतीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा.
4. “The whole world respects those who bend before dharma, truth, excellence, and God”
5. Be strong like him, be courageous like him, be inspiring like him. Be like Chhatrapati Shivaji
6. May the bravery, enthusiasm stay forever in the blood of this land. Happy Shivaji Jayanti
7. Chhatrapati Shivaji inspired many souls when he was alive and he will continue to motivate the youth of the country for generations to come. Happy Shivaji Jayanti.
8. May you be always blessed with the blessings of Shivaji to always be successful in your dreams and always be full of courage and strength. Best wishes on Shivaji Jayanti
9. Shivaji Jayanti is not just a festival but is taking inspiration from Shivaji to be like him in some way. Best wishes on Shivaji Jayanti
