Members of the Maratha community and local residents paying tributes to the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the occasion of his 396th birth anniversary at Maratipalem street in Ongole on Thursday. | Photo Credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS Members of the Maratha community and local people celebrated the 396th birth anniversary of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Maratipalem street in Ongole on Thursday (February 19). Many paid floral tributes to his statue. Speaking on the occasion, Aare Maratha and Aare Kshatriya Welfare Association president Kale Srinivasulu praised Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his spirituality, patriotism and bravery and spoke about the Maratha ruler’s skills in guerilla warfare. “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation for the protection of Sanatana Dharma. He put an end to the mighty Mughal empire and preserved Hindu religion in the country.” Published – February 19, 2026 09:32 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Security Council LIVE: Situation in the Middle East World News in Brief: Guterres calls for fair swtich to clean energy, Ramadan in Gaza, violence and displacement escalate in South Sudan