Pratap Jayanti
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| Dharmarakshak Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Jayanti | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Official name | Veer Shiromani Shri Maharana Pratap Jayanti |
| Observed by | Predominantly Rajasthanis, but also in other parts of India |
| Liturgical color | Saffron (color) |
| Type | Historic, Ethnic |
| Significance | Annual birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap |
| Celebrations | Puja, Processions |
| Date | 9 May |
| Next time | 9 May 2026 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Started by | Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha |
Maharana Pratap Jayanti (Hindi: महाराणा प्रताप जयंती) is a festival and a public holiday in Rajasthan, marking the birth anniversary of the Indian ruler Maharana Pratap. It is usually celebrated on 9 May,[1] but some also celebrate it on 22 May.[2]
Date
The day is celebrated as the birth of Rajput king, Maharana Pratap born on 9 May 1540, though due to change from the Julian calendar to Gregorian calendar it has been calculated to be on 22nd date of month of May.[3]
Though many Hindus celebrate the occasion as per the Hindu calendar on the 3rd lunar day of the month of Jyeshtha.[4]
History
Though there is no specific mention of the start of celebration of the date, but it was observed in the Chittorgarh and Udaipur by the royal family of Mewar,[5] later it was popularised by the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha in order to unite the Rajputs and as a method for pan-India identity to the Rajputs all over the India.[6] The festival also gained popularity with the time due to the rise of Hindutva movement and symbolism of the day as Hindu resistance against the Muslim invasion.[7]
