Sanguem: On February 19, CM Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Goa Spiritual Festival in Sanguem and unveiled a grand memorial dedicated to the legendary Maratha warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, on his 396th birth anniversary. The event was attended by Pujya Brahmeshanand Acharya Swamiji, state ministers Subhash Phal Dessai and Digambar Kamat, revered saints, public representatives, and Shivpremi citizens.
#WATCH | Goa CM Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Goa Spiritual Festival in Sanguem and unveiled a memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the occasion of his 396th Birth Anniversary (19.02) pic.twitter.com/Gls7rvS4Yr
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2026
Describing the occasion as a moment of pride for Goa, Sawant said the newly unveiled Smarak is the tallest memorial of its kind in the state. He emphasized that the monument is not merely a structure of stone and metal but a powerful symbol of history, courage, and self-respect, paying tribute to Shivaji Maharaj’s ideals of Swarajya, good governance, and cultural preservation.
Speaking at the event, Sawant credited Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj with saving Goa’s dharma, culture, and temples from destruction. “Over 1,000 temples in Goa were destroyed by the Portuguese, but Shivaji’s order to reconstruct the Shree Saptakoteshwar temple at Narve proved to be a turning point,” he said. According to the Chief Minister, this act halted temple destruction, ended forced religious conversions, and secured Goa’s religious and cultural heritage for future generations.
The Goa Spiritual Festival, inaugurated alongside the memorial unveiling, highlights the state’s rich spiritual traditions, temple heritage, and cultural legacy. Sawant reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding ancient temples, preserving heritage sites, and promoting spiritual and cultural tourism. He noted that Shivaji Maharaj’s life exemplifies visionary leadership, administrative excellence, and unwavering dedication to Dharma and nation. By establishing such landmarks and organizing spiritual gatherings, the state aims to strengthen cultural consciousness among youth while boosting tourism and local economic development.
The event concluded with devotional programmes and tributes to the great Maratha icon, marking Shivaji Jayanti with pride and reverence.
