Shiv Jayanti, also known as Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Birth Anniversary, is a festival and public holiday in Maharashtra

As per the Gregorian calendar, the date accepted for Shiv Jayanti is February 19. However, many Hindus also celebrate Shiv Jayanti as per the Hindu calendar, which is the third day on Phalgun month

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti is prominently celebrated by Maharashtrians, but followers of Shivaji Maharaj across the country celebrate the festival

Shivaji Maharaj was the Indian ruler of the Maratha empire. He carved out his own independent kingdom fighting the Mughal empire

Shivaji Maharaj was born in the Shivneri fort in Junnar, Pune district. Scholars disagree on his date of birth, however, the Government of Maharashtra lists 19 February as a his birth anniversary and a state holiday

Shivaji's statues and monuments are found almost in every town and city in Maharashtra, as well as in different places across India

Maharashtrians consider Shivaji Maharaj as their deity and offer prayers. On Shiv Jayanti people dress in traditional Maharashtrian attire to celebrate the festival

In 2016, a proposal to build a giant memorial called Shiv Smarak was approved. The memorial is to be located near Mumbai in the Arabian Sea. It is slated to be 210 metres (690 ft) tall, which will make it the world's tallest statue when completed