An equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has been installed at 41 National Rifle (Maratha LI) near the India-Pakistan border in Kashmir`s Kupwara district

"It is a proud thing for the country that a magnificent equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is being unveiled near the India-Pakistan border (in the Kupwara district of Jammu & Kashmir) on November 7. I am very obliged to get a chance to be part of this event," Eknath Shinde had said on Monday

Maharashtra`s Minister for Forest, Cultural Affairs and Fisheries Sudhir Mungantiwar was also present during the event

On October 20, 2023, the equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was welcomed in a ceremony from the Mumbai Raj Bhavan amid the beating of drums and chants of Jai Bhawani Jai Shivaji

Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had in October showed the green flag and guided the statue to Kupwara

During the unveiling ceremony, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Governor Manoj Sinha, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and other dignitaries were present as chief guests

The foundation stone of this statue was laid in the Indian army camp at Kupwara on this year`s Padwa day

The statue is ten and a half feet tall and was erected on a 7 by 3 square with almost the same height from the ground