Amid growing demand for removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated a temple dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Thane district on Monday.
While he lauded the Maratha king for fighting for 'Swarajya' and the country, the CM also maintained that government has obligation to protect Aurangzeb’s tomb not as a matter of reverence, but for the fact that it is a protected site.
The Maratha king's birth anniversary is being celebrated across the state on Monday as per the 'tithi'. The state government's official 'Shiv Jayanti' celebrations are held on February 19 each year.
Fadnavis said just as Lord Rama's darshan is incomplete without (paying obeisance to) Hanuman, no pilgrimage is complete without paying respect to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
"We are able to worship our gods freely today because of Shivaji Maharaj's efforts. He fought for Swarajya, for God, for our country, and our religion," he said.
On the occasion, Fadnavis also addressed the ongoing discourse about historical monuments in Maharashtra, particularly the demand from right-wing outfits for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb at Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
He said only the temple of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj deserves "mahima mandan" (glorification) and not the tomb of Aurangzeb.
"It is unfortunate that the government has to take responsibility for the protection of Aurangzeb's grave, despite his history of persecution. However, I assure you, if any attempt is made to glorify his legacy through 'mahima mandan', it will not succeed," the CM said.
Fadnavis further said even though Shivaji died at an early age, his contribution to the society has helped the people follow his legacy.
Maharashtra has lived up to the expectations and it is evident from the approach of the people the state, he said.
The temple has been built by the Shivkranti Pratishthan Trust under the leadership of Dr Raju Chowdhary.
The temple's idol of Shivaji Maharaj has been created by noted sculptor Arun Yogiraj, who crafted Ram Lalla’s idol adoring the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The temple of Shivaji Maharaj spans across 2,500 square feet, with a surrounding masonry fence covering 5,000 sq ft.
The temple is expected to attract tourists, historians and people who revere Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Fadnavis said the state government has submitted a proposal to UNESCO to recognise 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as World Heritage Sites.
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