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India Gazette
a day ago
- India Gazette
Maharashtra: CM Fadnavis flags off Bharat Gaurav Yatra train to commemorate Shivaji Maharaj's 351st coronation anniversary
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 9 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday flagged off the Bharat Gaurav Special Tourist Train for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj circuit from Mumbai, coinciding with the celebrations of Shiv Rajyabhishek Day. CM Fadnavis greeted the people on the occasion of Shiv Rajya Abhishek day, marking the 351st anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation. Fadnavis also launched the Bharat Gaurav Yatra Train, a special tourist train that will take passengers to prominent places related to Shivaji Maharaj's life over the next six days. Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis told reporters, 'My greetings to everyone for the Shiv Rajya Abhishek day. 351 years ago, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established Hindavi Swaraj. The Bharat Gaurav Yatra Train for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj circuit, which started today, will take the passengers to all the prominent places related to Shivaji Maharaj in the next five days.' Fadnavis highlighted the overwhelming response to the train, stating that it is 100% booked on its first journey, adding that 80% of the passengers are aged below 40 years, and the youth's interest in learning about India's history. Expressing gratitude to the Centre, Fadnavis added, 'I want to thank Railway Minister Ashwni Vaishnaw and PM Modi for this...' 'The train is 100% booked on its first journey. 710 passengers are travelling in it today, and 80% of the passengers are aged below 40 years. This means that the youth wants to know about our history...,' CM Fadnavis told media reporters. True to its name, the six-day itinerary will commence its journey from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Day 1 for Mangaon Railway station on the Konkan Railway network, the closest railway link for Raigad fort. The first destination is Raigad, known for the eponymous hill fort where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation or Rajyabhishek had taken place and was later his capital from where he ruled. On completion of the sightseeing, the tourists would return to the train as it proceeds to the next destination, Pune, wherein the tourists will have dinner followed by an overnight stay at a hotel in Pune. On Day 2 of the tour, the prominent sites that the tourists would be covering at Pune are Lal Mahal, Kasba Ganapati and Shivsrushti. Lal Mahal, as the name suggests, is a red-coloured palace constructed by Chhatrapati Shivaji's father, Shahaji Bhosale, for his wife Jijabai and son in 1630 CE. The present-day structure was rebuilt in 1984 on a part of the land where Lal Mahal stood and houses a vast collection of oil paintings that depict significant life events of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The temple of Kasba Ganapati, the presiding deity of Pune, dates back to 1893 and is believed to have been earmarked by Jijabai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's mother. Since then, the city is known as the city of Ganesha. Later in the day, the tourists shall be visiting Shivsrushti- the largest historical theme park showcasing the legend of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Tourists will watch the life story of the Maratha ruler in 3D and will enjoy other interactive sessions. After a night's rest at Pune, on Day 3, the guests will be travelling to Shivneri, situated at a distance of 95 km from Pune city. The Shivneri Fort is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Junnar. It is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and a symbol of Maratha pride and resistance against Muslim rule. Post lunch, the tourists will be visiting Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples, before returning to Pune for a night halt. On Day 4 of the itinerary, the tourists will be boarding the train for an onward journey to Satara. The key site to be covered from this station is Pratapgarh Fort, which is of immense historical importance because of the Battle of Pratapgad that took place in 1659 between Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Bijapur Sultanate general Afzal Khan. This battle had set the stage for the establishment of the Maratha Empire. Post visit, the tourists will take lunch at a suitable place and start back for the train as it proceeds to the last destination of this tour, Kolhapur. The train will arrive at Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus, Kolhapur Railway Station early morning on Day 5. Post wash and change and breakfast at a hotel, the tourists will proceed to the Mahalakshmi Temple, popularly known as Ambabai, followed by the Panhala Fort. Sitting atop the Sahyadri range, the hill fort bears a testament to many battles and is closely connected with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who spent over 500 days as where he was held captive and later escaped. The Panhala Fort - also called the 'Fort of Snakes' since it is zigzag in shape. The Fort is associated with the life history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shambhaji Maharaj. It is remembered for the heroic valour shown by Baji Prabhu Deshpande, the commander of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during the fight to capture the Fort. In the late evening, the train starts back on its return journey for Mumbai and reaches early morning in Mumbai on Day 6. The package has been attractively priced at Rs. 13,155/- per person in Economy (Sleeper Class), Rs 19,840/- per person in Comfort (3AC) & Rs. 27,365/- per person for Superior (2AC). The all-inclusive price in all categories will cover train journey in respective classes, night stay at comfortable hotels, all meals (vegetarian only), all transfers and sight-seeing in buses, travel insurance, services of tour escort etc. All necessary efforts will be made by IRCTC to provide a safe and memorable experience to the guests. (ANI)
Khaleej Times
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
I was scared: Vicky Kaushal on playing Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in 'Chhaava'
Vicky Kaushal has never been one to shy away from challenging roles. From playing real-life heroes in Uri: The Surgical Strike to intense characters in Sardar Udham, the actor has time and again proven his mettle. But stepping into the shoes of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in the upcoming historical epic Chhaava was a whole new challenge, both physically and emotionally. In a conversation with City Times, Vicky delves into his transformative journey, the rigorous preparation, and the profound experience of bringing a warrior king to life. Initital reaction and preparations When director Laxman Utekar first approached Vicky about playing Sambhaji Maharaj while they were shooting Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, the actor's immediate reaction was not excitement—it was fear. "I actually got very scared because, being born and raised in Mumbai, I understand the significance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. They are not just historical figures; they are revered as gods. The weight of portraying someone of that stature was daunting," Vicky confessed. However, once he understood the vision of the project and the detailed research that had gone into it, he knew he had to give it his all. Preparing for Chhaava was unlike anything Vicky had done before. For seven months, he dedicated himself solely to becoming Sambhaji Maharaj, pushing his body to extremes. "Laxman sir had three non-negotiables before we started shooting. One, I had to put on significant muscle mass. He told me, 'If I'm making you fight a lion, you need to look like a lion.' So, I gained about 25 kilos of weight, and I also had to grow my hair and beard." Vicky reveals. "Two, lots of action training and rehearsal for those six, seven months, because there's a lot of action in the film. And three, I had to master horse riding. No cheating, no body doubles. I had to make it look natural. He (Laxman) was very particular that I need to know horse riding." The mental and emotional depth Apart from the physical demands, Vicky immersed himself in extensive research. Growing up in Mumbai, he was already familiar with the broader strokes of Sambhaji Maharaj's history from his school days, but he craved deeper insight. "For six to seven months, I sat down daily with Laxman sir and our writer, Rishi Virmani, to understand the finer details—the man behind the legend. I didn't just want to perform; I wanted to feel the weight of his legacy. If I didn't dive deep into the culture and history, it would have been a wasted opportunity." One of the most emotionally charged moments for Vicky came while shooting the Rajyabhishek (coronation) sequence. "We were shooting on the exact same date as Sambhaji Maharaj's actual coronation, 350 years later," Vicky said. "That realisation gave us all chills. The set was a near-exact replica of the Raigad Fort, down to the throne's minute details. Every time I walked up to take my place on the throne, I would start crying. I don't know why—maybe it was the energy of the moment, the history surrounding us. It took multiple takes because, of course, a king cannot be seen crying." Working with Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna Vicky is all praise for his co-stars, particularly Akshaye Khanna, who plays Aurangzeb. "I have admired his work for years. He brings such depth and gravitas to his roles, and to see him completely unrecognisable as Aurangzeb was incredible," he shares. Speaking about Rashmika Mandanna, who plays Maharani Yesubai, he adds, "Laxman sir always had her in mind for the role. He was very clear that it's going to be Rashmika who's going to be playing Maharani Yesubai, because he had that vision that although she's from South of India, she would look so Maharashtrian, and he was so right about it. When I saw her in full attire, I was blown away." And off-screen, Vicky says, "she's such a warm and positive person—it made working with her a joy." Balancing authenticity with cinematic storytelling Historical films often come under scrutiny for their depiction of real events. And naturally so, says Vicky, who believes that films like Chhaava may attract scrutiny because of the sentiments attached to historical events and figures that are portrayed in the film. "When a story carries immense cultural and emotional weight, scrutiny is natural," he said. "And I feel that, it is a very healthy dialogue to have. The responsibility lies on us as makers to be completely authentic. Of course, there'll be those kind of leaps that would be taken for a cinematic experience. Because apart from giving information, apart from telling a story, we also have to entertain the audience. So such leaps are obviously taken, but without compromising the authenticity of the film." For Vicky Kaushal, Chhaava is more than just a film—it's an experience that will stay with him forever."I hope that when people watch the film, they feel the same energy and passion that we felt while making it," he said. And if there's one quality of Sambhaji Maharaj that Vicky relates to the most, it is "his courage," he says, "For me, it was also the most inspiring thing that I got to feel when I was playing the part."
