Pongal greetings

मकर संक्रांतिच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा,
तिळगुळ घ्या गोडगोड बोला.

இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!!

May this auspicious festival bring you
Overflowing happiness, joy and prosperity.
Wishing you & your family a very Happy Pongal!!
May the almighty bless you all with the best of health, wealth & prosperity.
Wishing you a blessed and Happy Pongal!.

Portrait of Maharaja Venkoji (Ekoji) founder of Maratha rule in Thanjavur, Tamilnadu. He ruled Thanjavur from 1676 A.D to 1683 A.D. He was an adventurous warrior. He entered Thanjavur victoriously on the 12th January 1676 and a couple of months later, he performed his Rajyabhishekam on 5th March 1676 A.D. A Telugu work entitled "Karnakalanidhi" attributed to Sivarama kavi, a contemporary of Venkoji deals with the kings heroism in saving the Fort of trichy from Mysore invaders. He was also praised by Jesuits and French people for his efficient government. He encouraged arts and literature during his rule. He established order and peace in Thanjavur and made it prosperous by promoting and encouraging agriculture. He directed his efforts to consolidate his kingdom and found a maratha line of his own. Venkoji also devoted his attention towards improvement of agriculture and the economic condition of his subjects by providing irrigation facilities, digging and widening of channels and constructing new tanks to obtain better yield. Lands lying follow were brought under cultivation and harvests of the year were usually rich excelling the records of many preceding years. Venkoji during his rule began to try continuously to win over the people of his recently acquired kingdom. He died in the year 1684 and was succeeded by his eldest son Maharaja Shahaji.

P.C: Admin's Private Collection