Coronation Of Shivaji Maharaj
Shivaji was crowned a king in a lavish ceremony at Raigad on 6 June 1674. As per Hindu Calendar it was on the 13th day (trayodashi) of the firstfortnight of the month of 'Jyeshtha'in the year 1596. Gaga Bhatt officially presided over the ceremony, and had a gold vessel filled with the seven sacred waters of the rivers Yamuna, Indus, Ganges, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri. He held the vessel over Shivaji's head and chanted the coronation mantras, as the water kept dripping from the several tiny holes in the vessel. After the ablution, Shivaji bowed before Jijamata and touched her feet. Nearly fifty thousand people gathered at Raigad for the ceremonies. Shivaji was bestowed with the sacred thread jaanva, with the Vedas and was bathed in an abhisheka.
Shivaji then had the title of Shakakarta conferred upon him, as well as assumed the title Kshatriya Kulavantas meaning head of Kshatriyas. He took on the title Chhatrapati, preferring it over Maharaja.
His mother Jijabai died on 18 June 1674, within a few days of the coronation. Considered this a bad omen, a second coronation was carried out 24 September 1674, this time according to the Bengal school of Tantricism and presided over by Nischal Puri.
Shivaji then had the title of Shakakarta conferred upon him, as well as assumed the title Kshatriya Kulavantas meaning head of Kshatriyas. He took on the title Chhatrapati, preferring it over Maharaja.
His mother Jijabai died on 18 June 1674, within a few days of the coronation. Considered this a bad omen, a second coronation was carried out 24 September 1674, this time according to the Bengal school of Tantricism and presided over by Nischal Puri.
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