Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Agra escape: Maharashtra marks August 17 as ‘Shivchaturya Din’

The Maharashtra government observed lsquoShivchaturya Dinrsquo on Monday to commemorate Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajrsquos historic escape from Agra on August 17 1666 The annual observance is aimed at taking the Maratha rulerrsquos legacy of valour strategic acumen and restraint to younger generationsThe initiative was highlighted during the observance of Shivchaturya Din in Agra Speaking at the event Maharashtra Protocol Minister and coordinator for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Memorial in Agra Jaykumar Rawal said the initiative would help take the historical episode to a wider audienceMaharashtra Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj successfully escaped from Agra on August 17 1666 and returned towards SwarajyaldquoTo commemorate this historic event August 17 will be observed as Shivchaturya Din every yearrdquo Desai saidAs part of Mondayrsquos commemorations the Punebased Garud Zep organisation flagged off a 1310km foot and cycling campaign from Agra to RajgadGrand memorial in AgraA major highlight of the statersquos plan is the construction of a grand Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial in Agra The project being coordinated by the Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh UP governments has been envisioned by Maharashtra Chief Minister CM Devendra Fadnavis Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai and Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal with cooperation from UP CM Yogi AdityanathMeetings have been held with local historians tourism industry representatives and the Agra district administration regarding the proposed memorial Discussions between the two state governments are also being held to finalise its designWorldrenowned architect Abha Lamba has been appointed for the memorial project the release statedNilesh Gatne managing director of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation MTDC said the memorial would be an inspiring destination for tourists and history enthusiasts from Maharashtra and across the countryHe said it would symbolise patriotism religious harmony and valour and play an important role in taking the legacy of the Maratha Empire to people across the country1310km Garud Zep campaignThe Garud Zep organisation has been conducting the AgratoRajgad campaign for the past seven years under the leadership of its national president Maruti GoleAccording to the release around 2200 Mavalas and 60 cyclists will participate in the campaign which will pass through four states mdash UP Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra mdash and around 78 citiesThe campaign will begin in Agra and pass through Gwalior Shivpuri Guna Pachore Dewas Tikhri Sendhwa Dhule Chandwad Sangamner and Bhosari before reaching RajgadThe campaign aims to spread awareness about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajrsquos history the inspiration of Swarajya national unity environmental conservation and a drugfree IndiaOne lakh seeds will also be sown along the route as part of a treeplantation initiativeCultural events held at Agra FortSeveral cultural programmes were organised at Agra Fort to mark Shivchaturya DinA special postal cover commemorating the historic episode was released Water from sacred rivers was offered in an abhishek to the statue in front of Agra Fort following which the Shivbachi Wari beganAround 50 female artists from Goa presented Shivshaurya a historical theatrical performance depicting the valour of the Shivaji era Jijaursquos values and the inspiration of SwarajyaActor Sayali Joshi Godbole presented a solo performance on Rashtramata Jijau while traditional Halgi performances were presented by Vinayak Sonawane Members of the Hindu Tej organisation from Karad demonstrated traditional warfare techniques including DandpattaThe Shivchaturya Din programme and the flagoff of the Garud Zep campaign were held at the Agra Fort premises at 8 am on August 17 2026Rawal also visited the Shiv temple in Agra associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji MaharajProminent attendees included UP Higher and Technical Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Scheme Minister Bharat Gogawale MTDC Managing Director Nilesh Gatne UP Tourism Deputy Director Shakti Singh and other officials and representatives of the Garud Zep organisation