Mumbai, February 19: The nation today is celebrating 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti' with great pomp and gaiety. Every year, February 19 marks the birth anniversary of the great Maratha ruler. Wishes from across the nation poured in on the occasion of Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to microblogging site Twitter and extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti'. The Prime Minister recalled the life path and teachings of the Maratha warrior. “I bow to Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti. Jai Shivaji!”, the Prime Minister tweeted.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah also extended wishes on the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Suresh Prabhu also greeted on Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary. “Tribute to the The Great Maratha Indian Warrior King Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Birth Anniversary”, Prabhu tweeted.

Shivaji Maharaj was born in the hill-fort of Shivneri on February 19, 1630. Shivneri is located near the city of Junnar in Pune district. In Maharashtra, this day is celebrated with processions of the Maratha ruler and various programmes. Shivaji also known as the 'mountain rat', was very famous for his guerrilla warfare tactics. Some of the main battles that he fought are - battle of Pratapgarh, battle of Kolhapur, battle of Pavan Khind and battle of Nesari among others.

The Maratha leader has been one of the most motivational and inspirational leaders in the Maratha history. In 1674, Shivaji  was crowned as the Chhatrapati (Monarch) of his realm at Raigad. Shivaji- the one who is credited with carving out an enclave from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the Maratha Empire.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2018 10:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).