Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbaicha Raja and Andhericha Raja to replicate Raigad Fort

As this year marks the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajrsquos coronation three of the major Ganpati mandals in Mumbai Lalbaugcha Raja Mumbaicha Raja and Andhericha Raja mdash are replicating Raigad FortKeeping aside the regular theme of replicating temples as art decor for the Ganpati pandal all three mandals are coincidentally working on the same theme of making Raigad Fort a theme this yearThe Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal has decided to build Raigad Fort and take the devotees back to the coronation eraMumbaicha Raja this year chose to not follow every yearrsquos tradition and honor the contribution of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the nationSpeaking about the theme Adhwait Pedhamkar joint secretary of the mandal said ldquoShivaji Maharaj was crowned king of the Maratha Empire Hindawi Swaraj in a grand ceremony at Raigad Fort This year as it marks its 350th anniversary we thought of building the Raigad Fort and trying to replicate the architect of the fort so that it could take back the devotees during the coronation periodrdquoldquoThe replica of Raigad Fort will also show the Jagadishwar Temple and other spots of the Fort A special status for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is being made to showcase the coronation ceremonyrdquo Pedhamkar addedConfirming the theme at Lalbaugcha Raja Balasaheb Kamble president of the Mandal said ldquoThis year we will be making Raigad fort to mark the 350th coronation anniversary and it will be the last decor designed by late Nitin Desai for our pandal He has been designing the pandal decor since 2008 We are planning to pay homage as a mark of respect to the late Nitin DesairdquoPreparation underway at Lalbaugcha Raja PicAnagha SawantThe Andhericha Raja mandal stated that they decided on the theme last year and that work is currently going on as only a few weeks remain for the festival The decor will be set up in a 4000squarefoot areaWork in progress at Andhericha Rajas pandal PicSatej ShindeSpeaking about why they chose to show Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajrsquos coronation in Raigad fort Uday Salian spokesperson of Andhericha Raja the Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti said ldquoIt is a historic event Replicating the coronation ceremony in the fort will be a learning experience for the younger generation The school students can learn about the history of the coronation ceremony and about our Maratha rulerrdquoThe artdecor of the Raigad Fort in Andheri is begin designed by Dharmesh Shah along with Ashok Rane There are very few reference photos of the coronation ceremony Using those photos we have designed the court and entrance gate said Rane