500kg, 21 feet sword for Shiv Jayanti procession in Pune

PUNE: Members of a Ganapati Mandal from Ganj Peth have crafted a 21-foot-long iron sword weighing 500kg as a tribute to the Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to mark Shiv Jayanti on Wednesday. The sword will be part of a chariot-led procession from Tambadi Jogeshwari Temple to SSPMS College.
Vinayak Kachi-Bundela, president of Shree Nandkishor Tarun Mandal, told TOI, “Six months ago, the members came together because we wanted to do something special on the occasion. The members came up with an idea to make an iron sword as a tribute for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”
Gorakh Ghodke, Gopi Pawar and Mangesh Salunke designed the sword that has features similar to the Bhavani Talwar (sword) used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “The sword was crafted in a workshop at Kondhwa in six months. It was brought to Ganj Peth two days ago in a truck,” he said. Apart from designer strips, the sword has engravings depicting elephants, peacocks and horses.
Surendra Kanchi-Bundela, executive president of the group, said, “Our ancestors migrated to Pune from Bundelkhand. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj inspired Maharaja Chhatrasal, who fought bravely against the Mughal Empire. So we decided to do something special on this Shiv Jayanti.”
The mandal has created a chariot to carry the sword. The chariot will have busts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Maharaja Chhatrasal and Maharana Pratap, he added.
The mandal has decided to donate the sword to the PMC. “We are discussing the details with the civic officials. The sword can be installed at a junction or near a footpath to inspire today’s generation,” he said.