History of Shivaji Park
Shivaji
Park has seen it all - the fight for independence, the quest for
Sanyukta Maharashtra; to the big rallies of the day, meetings
and demonstrations; the huge park park or rather ground is almost
like a historical monument by itself.
Today,
the ground/park boasts of a modern Gymkhana, a Ganpati Mandir,
a mini children park Chhatrapati Shivaji's idol.
The
park is situated on the North-East part of Mumbai and since it
is located in such a key position in the city, making it a hot
spot for conducting huge rallies, public meetings, conferences,
so on and so forth.
The
park was opened for public use by the Bombay Municipal Corporation
in the year 1925. And since then the park has continued to bask
in its glory.
Since
the place was initially termed as Shivaji Park, the idea that
this park should contain an idol of the great Maratha King Shivaji
came forward. And under the able leadership of "Lokneta",
people's leader Late Mr. Balasaheb Desai, the idol was constructe
by collecting funds from the people.
The
huge statue was inagurated in 1966 by the then Defence Minister
of India Mr.Yashwant Rao Chauhan. The place surrounding the park
incidentally also became famous by the same name "Shivaji
Park"; the region has gained fame, prosperity specially in
the last 60-70 odd years. Prior to that the place was a part of
the Mahim bay.
The
original inhabitants of the place between Mahim and Prabhadevi
area were Bhandaris, Sutars, Kolis(fishermen) and Christains.
Initially,
the only routes between Parel and Mahim Island were few pedestrian
routes; otherwise the whole area was covered with marshy grass
as also few big-small creeks the local people filled this place
up with big rocks; since this region formed a route between thew
somewhat high Mahim Island to the down Parel area, the place became
famous by the name "Dadar"(which in Marathi means 'staircase').
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