Honouring the valour of Chhatrapati Shivaji and his equally courageous son Dharmveer Sambhaji,bronze statues of the two Maratha kings will be erected at a site opposite City council (Nagar Parishad) in Talegaon Dabhade in one and a half years.
The bhoomi-poojan of the Shri Shiv Shambhu Tirtha will be held on Wednesday (March 3) — Shiv Jayanti day — at the hands of Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare between 6.30 am and 12.30 pm.
The Tirtha will be one-of-its-kind landmark in the country,said Santosh Bhegade-Patil,chairman of Shri Shiv Shambhu Smarak Samiti,at a press conference attended by President Talegaon Municipal Council Adv Ravindra Dabhade,Samiti Vice-Chairman Sunil Shelke,secretary Shrikant Medhi,treasurer Sanjay Baviskar and member Ravindra Bhegade.
Ex-President Talegaon Municipal council Shrimant Anjaliraje Dabhade will be the chairperson of the bhoomi-poojan ceremony. Historian Ninad Bedekar will be the chief speaker while Sarsenapati Jayawantrao Mohite will be the chief guest. Sanghchalak of West Maharashtra Kacheshwarji alias Dada Sahane,Dr Sadashivrao Shivade,Shahir Yogesh,Pandurang Balkavade,MPs Gajanan Babar,Shivaji Adhalrao Patil will be the honourable guests.
Bhegade-Patil said the land of Maval has been a witness to the courage and adventures of Chhatrapati Shivaji and his illustrious son,Sambhaji. He said the Tirtha is a tribute to the two great Maratha rulers from the Mavalas. A book titled Pratap Durga Mahatmya,written by Dr Sadashivrao Shivade and translated by S M Ayachit will be released on the occasion.