Nagpur: The city awoke to drumbeats, fluttering saffron flags, and resounding chants on Wednesday as thousands across the city marked the 394th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with processions, tributes, and cultural performances, turning squares and streets into vibrant arenas of pride and remembrance.Across neighbourhoods from Mahal and Manewada to Lakshmi Nagar and Besa Pipla, youth carried out lezim performances, powada recitals, and dhol-tasha processions. Saffron flags lined prominent squares, while portraits of Shivaji Maharaj were adorned with garlands and decorative lighting. “Shiv Garjana” chants echoed through several localities as processions passed through designated routes.At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Mahal — regarded by many as the city’s ‘Shivtirth’ —the Shri Shivrajyabhishek Sohala Samiti performed a ‘doodh abhishek’ of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at 6am, marking the ceremonial start of the celebrations. A blood donation camp organised at the venue collected 65 units during the day, taking the total collection linked to the commemorative drive to 396 units till the symbolic coronation ceremony. The programme featured conch shell blowing, performances by Mahila Mudra Pathak, Shivswaroop, and Shivmudra Pathak, and concluded with a palanquin procession carrying the image of Shivaji Maharaj through the area.Meanwhile, NMC, the Divisional Commissionerate, and other govt offices also observed the occasion with a formal tribute ceremony at their respective headquarters. At NMC, floral tributes were paid to Shivaji Maharaj. Mayor Neeta Thakre, deputy mayor Leela Hathibed, and municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari paid tributes to Shivaji Maharaj.BJP and its youth wing organised programmes across Nagpur’s 151 wards. According to party functionaries, celebrations were held at more than 1,500 booths in the city.City BJP president Dayashankar Tiwari, Neeta Thakre, Mayor Leela Hathibed, ruling party leader Balya Borkar, MLA Pravin Datke, Vidarbha sanghatan mantri Upendra Kothekar, and former MLA Girish Vyas, along with other office bearers and party workers paid floral tributes to the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Mahal.Beyond formal ceremonies, community-level celebrations continued throughout the day. Cultural troupes staged performances depicting episodes from the Maratha ruler’s life, highlighting his military strategies and administrative reforms. Social initiatives such as blood donation camps were organised in parts of the city.By evening, illuminated stages and decorative arches at key squares drew families and youth groups, as music and traditional celebrations carried late into the night in some parts of the city.
