Bhagwa Dhwaj

The Bhagwa Dhwaj (Marathi: भगवा ध्वज, romanized: Bhagwā Dhwaj, lit. 'Saffron flag'), also called Kesariya flag (Kesariyā Patākā Hindustani pronunciation: [keːsərijaː pət̪aːkaː]),[1] is a saffron-colour flag, that served as the flag of the Maratha Empire. "It is swallow-tailed and of a deep saffron color emblematic of the followers of God Mahādeva."[2] It was adopted by V.D. Savarkar's Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha in 1915 and later by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. It is now associated with Hindutva.[3] Double pennant, triangle, or pennant – shaped saffron coloured flags with a tassels at its end is also used by Hindus as Bhagwa Dhwaj. Sometimes it also uses Hindu religious symbols like the Om letter or a Hindu Swastika at its center. Saffron is considered a sacred and holy colour in Hinduism. RSS sees it as a symbol of victory and strength.[4] In medieval times, after the decline of Islamic rule in India and the emergence of the Maratha Empire there was a rise of Hindu nationalism and at that time the saffron flag was adopted by Shivaji.[5]

Bhagwa Dhwaj