Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti or Shivaji Jayanti is the birth anniversary of the founder of the Maratha Empire Shivaji that is celebrated across Maharashtra and is a public holiday.
Shivaji Maharaj was named Shivaji Bhosale and was a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. He was born at Shivneri Fort on the Marathi Shalivahana as per Hindu calendar Falgun's Krishna paksha 3 in 1630 .
At the age of 16, Shivaji Maharaj seized the Torna fort, according to historical records, while Raigad and Kondana forts were seized a year later. He is also known to have re-established Hindavi Swarajya.
The first celebrations of this festival began with the Maratha ruler Mahatma Phule in 1870 in Pune. These celebrations were taken forward by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
In 1870, a social reformer from Maharashtra, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule initiated to celebrate Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti after discovering his tomb in Raigad Fort. Later, the great freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak continued the tradition of celebrating the day.