Shri Saileela

Estd. Year 1923

Year 9 Issue 6
Managing Editor : Jayant Murlidhar Sasane Editor : Kishore Ramrao More

English Section
* Reminiscence 3
* Atma ‘Ram’ Sai ‘Ram’ … Mrs. Mugdha Sudhir Diwadkar 4

* Powerful Prayer … Sumona Bagchi 17

* Shirdi News 27

SHREE SAI BABA SANSTHAN TRUST (SHIRDI)

Management Committee
Shri Jayant Murlidhar Sasane (Chairman)

Shri Shankarrao Genuji Kolhe (Vice-chairman)

Shri Radhakrishna Eknath Vikhe Patil (Member)

Shri Pandurang Gamaji Abhang (Member)

(Member)
Shri Suresh Gorakshanath Wabale
(Member)
Smt. Urmila Pradeep Jadhav
(Member)
Shri Shailesh Shrihari Kute
(Member)
Shri Sami Khatib
(Member)
Smt.RimpleLohia
(Member)
Dr. Eknath Bhagchand Gondkar
(Member)
Shri Ramakant Ganesh Karnik
(Member)
Capt. Suresh Vasudeva
(Member)
Shri Ashok Bhimashankar Khambekar
(Member)

Shri Krishnachandra Shyamsunder Pandeya (Member)

Dr. Pyarelal Tiwari (Member)

 Smt. Alka Balu Shejwal (Member)
Shri Kishore Ramrao More (Executive Officer)
Dr. Yeshwantrao Vasantrao Mane (Deputy Executive Officer)

l Cover pages designed by P. Don Bosco l Imaginary Scene Picture by Sunil Shegaonkar   l  Computerised Typesetting :
Computer Section, Mumbai Office, Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) l Office : ‘Sai Niketan’, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar,
Mumbai - 400 014. Tel. : 2416 6556 Fax : (022) 2415 0798 E-mail : [email protected] l Shirdi Office : At Post Shirdi - 423 109,
Tal. Rahata, Dist. Ahmednagar. Tel. : (02423) 258500 Fax : (02423) 258770 E-mail : 1. [email protected] 2.
[email protected] l Annual Subscription : Rs. 50/- l Subscription for Life : Rs. 1000/- l Annual Subscription for Foreign
Subscribers : Rs. 1000/- (All the Subscriptions are Inclusive of Postage) l General Issue : Rs. 8/- l Shri Sai Punyatithi Special
Issue : Rs. 15/- l  Published by Kishore More, on behalf of Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) at Sai Niketan, 804-B, Dr.
Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai - 400 014 and printed by him at Taco Visions Pvt. Ltd., 38 A & B, Government Industrial Estate,
Charkop, Kandivali (W), Mumbai - 400 067. The Editor does not accept responsibility for the views expressed in the articles published.
All objections, disputes, differences, claims and proceedings are subject to Mumbai jurisdiction.
Main
Saileela
REMINISCENCER
Shri Ram Navami Festival (1930 A.D.) : A Report...

The details of this year’s deposits and expenditure have been recorded in the ledger book. This year,
many people had come from places like Nanded, Mukhed, Umri, Gavhan, Sangvi, Kalamnuri, Majhor,
Mathri, Mumbai, Pune, Yaval, Andheri, Bandra, Indore, Mahu, Khamgaon, Pandharpur, Ahmednagar,
Solapur, Puntambe and Handia. Amongst those who come every year, Papalal could not make it this
year. The festival started from the 8th day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha (the waxing period of the moon).
During these ve days, about 3 to 4 thousand people were fed. About a hundred stalls were put up by
some people from outside the village during this festival. Arrangements made by the government were
also good. In these ve days, sweet dishes like ‘jalebi’, ‘boondi’ and ‘sheera’ were prepared. As always, the
pantry was managed very well by Govind Vyankati Mahajan (Mukhed) with the help of Chinaiyya
Tambola Ramchandra and Malappa. The responsibility of serving up was given to Digambarrao
Nandedkar, Rajeshwar, Jagannath Master, Ramrao Varudkar, Diwakar Deshpande and some more
people. They did a great job. Baba Ramchandra Patewar could not take part in this due to some
problem. One day, the Muslims in the village were served sweet fried rice; this charge went to Nagoba
Vanjari, Narayan Vanjari-Maruti and a few more who took it up without making any fuss. About a
hundred Muslims partook of this meal. On Ram Navami day, the ags were taken out in a procession in
the evening and after that at night, because Hussain Sakkar Dalal could not come, all the Muslims in
the village took out the Sandal Wood Procession and offered it on Maharaj’s Samadhi. As Akolekar
Daruwala fell sick, his son took charge of the rework’s show. Firework furing the procession and the
wrestling competitions were worth watching. This year, the wrestling show was a big success. Reason
behind it was that Bapurao Raghoji Borawake, Tatya Ganpati Patil, Vaman Manku, Ramchandradada,
Bayaji Sakharam along with some other villagers helped to resolve the differences and got all the
villagers together. With Your grace, it went off well. This year we did not receive as much donation as
we should have received or receive every year for the wrestling competitions dut to the bad crops. Still
the show was a hit. All along the event, it was clear how good the old wrestling techniques can prove to
be for our youth to be aware of their physical strength. Hence, the village chiefs should encourage
organizations related to this sport. Next year, by Your grace, if we have a good yield of crop then they
can think about it. On the full-moon day people belonging to Mahar, Mang, Chambhar, Bhill, Vadari were
given ‘halwa’ prasadam (prasadam made of semolina, sugar and nuts) and Raghu Patil, Karbhari Mali,
Baburao Nana took charge of this and did it well. Winnowing of rice and pulses was done by Lakshmibai
Patil. Palanquin Procession was held on Ekadashi and Gopalkala on Dwadashi. Most of the people
returned to their villages after Gopalkala and the rest after Hanuman Jayanti. May Baba bless them,
along with their families, who worked so hard to make the celebrations a grand success and also those
who rendered nancial help. We are Maharaj’s ignorant children, our well-being is in His hands. Knowingly
or unknowingly, if we have commied any mistake or have gone wrong somewhere, may we be forgiven - I
beseech. Like this, may this Das continue rendering his services, year after year.
A dustspeck at the feet of the saints
Dasganu
- Shri Saileela, year 7, Issue 12
Translated from Marathi into English by
Sumona Bagchi

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Saileela
Atma ‘Ram’ Sai ‘Ram’
The greatness of Shri Prabhu Ramchandra and His importance needs no elaboration.
Prior to 1912, it was a practice to hold an Urus on the day of Ram Navami. The idea of
holding such an Urus was initiated by an ardent devotee of Baba. His name was Gopalrao Gund.

With the blessings of and directions from Shri Sai Ram, the first ever Ram Janmotsav was
celebrated in Shirdi in the year 1912 (before Shri Sai Baba laid down His mortal body).

The story of this first Ram Janmotsav is very amazing. It is narrated in great detail by Shri
Laxman Ganesh alias Kakasaheb Mahajani (the then editor of ‘Shri Saileela’) in the issue of the
periodical. It would be proper to reproduce his words. A free translation of the same follows –

“Gopalrao Gund was a government circle inspector of Kopargaon. He had married three
times. But, none of the marriages succeeded in giving birth to a son. Later on he began visiting
Baba and with His blessings a son was born. He began to think of a way to express his joy and
this gave him the idea of holding an Urus.

Naturally, he discussed this idea with prominent residents of Shirdi like Tatya Patil, Dada
Kote Patil, Madhavrao Deshpande and others. Everyone approved the proposal. But, it was
vehemently opposed by the Kulkarni of Shirdi. He even went to the extent of pointing out to the
district collector that with the holding of such a gathering many people will be converging on
Shirdi and this would give rise to health problems and an epidemic may get spread. The collector
concurred with this view and denied permission to hold the Urus. Everybody was utterly
disappointed. But, Baba supported the idea wholeheartedly. Therefore, things began
automatically falling in place and the collector withdrew his first order and issued a second one –
granting permission to the Urus ! With Baba’s direction, it was decided to hold the Urus on the
auspicious day of Ram Navami. Of course, Baba had decided upon the day after great thought
and consideration. Because – on a later date – Baba gave permission to celebrate Ram Navami
along with Urus. This Hindus as well as Muslims began celebrating a joint function of Urus and
Ram Navami. This enhanced the feeling of brotherhood amongst these two communities.

The organizers succeeded in crossing the first hurdle of obtaining the collector’s
permission. But, there were many more on their path. The district of Nagar was known for water
shortage and the auspicious day of celebration was in the height of summer – the month of
Chaitra. In those days, there were only two main wells in whole of Shirdi. The water from one
of them was salty, while in the other, the water level used to reach the bottom ! But, with Baba’s
blessings a miracle took place. He realized the plight of the pilgrims and threw some flowers into
the well with saline water. And, the water began tasting sweet ! A big problem got resolved. To
draw the water from the depths of the wells, a rope as long as 75-100 hands was needed. Pulling
of the rope was a tiresome task. But, Tatya Patil located a distant well, arranged to draw the
water with the help of two bullocks.

Urus is a kind of fair and hence, would be incomplete without shops, entertainment shows,
tamasha, wrestling and giant wheels. The organizers sent messengers to villages and towns
around Shirdi and shopkeepers and the like came flocking to display their wares and talents.

Like Gopalrao Gund, Damuanna Kasar had also got a son with the blessings of Shri Baba.
He concurred with Gopalrao’s suggestion and on the auspicious day, began hoisting a flag on top
of the Masjid. There used to be two flags hoisted on that day - Kasar’s simple flag and
Nanasaheb Nimonkar’s rich flag adorned with gold threads etc. Both these were made in the
house of Kondaji Sutar. A procession wound its way from the lanes and bye-lanes of Shirdi
carrying them and they were hoisted on the two sides of the Masjid. The practice is followed
even today.
 Sandal
Along with the practice of holding an Urus, another custom was also followed that of
‘Sandal’. A Muslim by the name Ameer Shakkar (from Village Korhala) sought permission of
Baba and started ‘Sandal’.

Sandal means a paste made according to Muslim traditions out sandalwood. Its
powder/paste are placed in a flat metal plate. Ud is burnt in the front of a procession and the
plate is carried through the village. Ultimately, the parade arrives at the Masjid. Its walls are
adorned with imprints of palms of the paste.

Ameer Shakkar bore the expenses of the material, musicians, lamps and fireworks. He
passed away in 1923. His wife continued the tradition thereafter.

Muslim folks referred to Baba as a ‘Peer’. In cases of most of the Peers, Sandal is
observed after they pass away. Therefore, Ameer Shakkar used to proudly announce that ‘Sandal
is taken out during the lifetime of only the most fortunate and the most revered Peers !’... And
Baba was one of them.

A Symbol of

Hindu - Muslim Unity

Thus, on the day of Ram Navami, a unique practice was started of taking out
simultaneously two processions – a Hindu procession of the two flags and a Muslim procession
of Sandal.

At that time, besides the usual religious festivals, this was the only festival being observed
in Shirdi. It was a very important day for the residents of Shirdi and the towns and villages
around it. Even people from far off places began visiting Shirdi to participate in it. Prominent
amongst them were members of Radhakrishnaaai’s family.

Tatya Patil looked after the management of matters outside the Masjid while
Radhakrishnaaai took care of its interiors. Her place used to resemble a house, in which a
marriage is to take place. Someone would be helping in making the flags, some others would be
lending a hand in cutting paper flowers. Some would be cleaning silver articles, while others
would be busy in cleaning food grains. The work would be carried out through out the day and
even night.

Preparation of the Masjid

Dasganu Maharaj had written a letter to Shirdi Sansthan in 1917 about the statue of Lord
Ram. It narrates the practice before the arrival of Radhakrishnaaai in Shirdi.

‘...At that time, Baba Himself used to wash the Masjid on the day of Ram Navami. Around
mid-day, He brought a little oil and lit lamps. He purchased gulal showered it on His head, the
dhuni, the three earthen lamps and the arch in the corner.’

Later on Radhakrishnaaai assumed this responsibility.

The work of cleaning the Masjid would be carried out only when Baba was not in there.

As everyone knows, Baba slept in the chavadi on alternate nights. On the chavadi night
before Ram Navami, Radhakrishnaaai would arrive at the Masjid with her people. Men and
women of all ages and from all walks of life would participate with the intention of serving
Baba. It was a scene worth watching.

They would carry Baba’s belongings with great care, love and affection to the sabha
mandap area. The holy fire from dhuni would be brought down and kept alive. Radhakrishnaaai
would play a major role in this.

After this, the work of washing the Masjid would be taken up. Due to the ever alive fire of
the dhuni, the walls and woodwork would have become dark and covered with smoke. These
would be cleaned with soap water and pieces of rough rope. 15-20 people would be busy with
this. Another 15-20 would be fetching water from wells which were at some distance.

After thus washing the Masjid, Baba’s things would be placed back to their places. The
holy fire would once again light the dhuni. Everyone would now leave the Masjid. By now, it
would be 4 a.m.

When Baba arrived at the Masjid the next day, He would find it to be completely
transformed.

However, there was one solitary year, in which the above practice (of doing this work
during Baba’s absence) was not followed. That year for some reason the Masjid could not be
washed during chavadi night. However, some people gathered courage and approached Baba.
After lot of cajoling, He agreed and moved to the mandap. The group was overjoyed and began
the work of cleaning and painting with great enthusiasm. The work got over before evening
itself. Baba was in a lighthearted mood. He cut jokes and encouraged the folks. However,
everyone was cautious. They were aware that, though He had given permission, He would be
equally unpredictable and could loose His temper. Therefore, only when the work was complete,
everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Annadan
While the work of transforming the Masjid was going on the night previous to Ram
Navami, in Radhakrishnaaai’s house another big task was undertaken. The act of giving away of
food (Annadan) was dear to the heart of Baba. Therefore, in Radhakrishnaaai’s house,
preparation for cooking of food on a large scale would go on. The cooks were not hired hands.
They were devotees of Baba. In one corner, someone from say malgujar community would be
preparing 5-10 payalees (a measure of weight in use at that time) of bundi, while simultaneously
reciting Namsmaran. Somewhere else, 2-3 men would be bringing down vessels, which
contained just cooked sakhar bhat. At a third place, 5-7 ladies and gents would be making
laddoos. Besides these, in the morning, on a large scale items such as bhat, bhaji, poli, varan etc.
would be prepared. The people will sit in rows and have a hearty meal. At least, two such groups
would have food in Baba’s presence. In the mandap, lot of poor men and women, fakirs, free-
loaders etc. would have their fill.”

How beautifully Kakasaheb has penned down the scene and happenings on the auspicious
day of Ram Navami !

Today’s mammoth scale

After Baba left for His heavenly abode, the number of people coming for the yatra
diminished to some extent. However, from 1925-26, the number kept on increasing every year.
The trend has continued till today.

75 years have been passed since Kakasaheb described the event. However, even today Shri
Sai Sansthan celebrates Ram Navami, Guru Pournima and Sai’s Punyatithi with great fanfare,
love and affection. And we – His devotees – witness and participate in these celebrations with
incessant enthusiasm.

All the trustees, prominent citizens of Shirdi and devotees take part in all the above
activities.

The program of Ram Navami as celebrated in Shirdi today -

The Ram Navami function is spread over 3 days.

 Every morning, as usual, kakad aarati is performed. On the day of Ram Navami, the
Samadhi Mandir is kept open for the entire night. Therefore, on the morning of the third day the
kakad aarati is not performed.

After that, Shri’s statue is given a ceremonial bath. Thereafter, pooja is performed at His
feet (padya-pooja).

The holy book (Shri Sai Sat Charita pothi), veena and Shri’s photo are taken in a
procession in certain parts of the Mandir coplex.

After the procession reaches, Dwarkamai, non-stop recitation (akhand parayan) of Shri Sai
Sat Charita begins.

In the afternoon, chapters from Shri Sai Sat Charita continues in the Samadhi Mandir.

Every year, on the day of Urus (1st day of Ram Navami celebrations) a sack containing
wheat is placed in the Samadhi Mandir and pooja is performed. Thereafter, it is shifted to
Dwarkamai - Masjid. It takes place of the last year’s sack (the contents of which are utilized for
prasadalay). This practice is being followed over many decades.

On the first day, a well-known kirtankar is invited to perform a kirtan at about 4.30 p.m.
On the second and third day other well-known kirtankars perform kirtans at about 10.00-10.30
am. Similarly, on the main day of the celebrations, there is a kirtan on Ram Janma. On the last
day of the celebrations, there is a kirtan on kala.

After the kala kirtan, dahi handi is ceremoniously broken. This is the last part of the
celebrations.

Fireworks, ornamental lighting, flower decorations and showering of flowers from the sky
are a part of the annual festivities. Even wrestling competitions are held and the winners are
rewarded handsomely.

The Flags of Nimonkar and Rasane Families are taken in a procession led with a musical
band.

The Sansthan makes complete provision for drinking water at different places. There are
arrangements for the stay of the devotees and even hot water is supplied for their bath. Breakfast,
snacks and meals (with sweets) are made available in the prasadalay.

The Sansthan tries is best to provide additional amenities and ensures that the devotees can
avail of Shri Sai darshan with more and more comforts every year.

The pleasing and holy atmosphere of these three days is to be seen and believed.

Centenary Year
The first ever Ram Janmotsav was celebrated in Shirdi in the year 1912. And this is its
glorious centenary year. This is a unique opportunity for the Sai devotees. I am sure that every
Sai devotee would like to be present at the occasion. Not only that, I am also confident that every
devotee would do his utmost to make the function a great success and will not shirk
responsibility by saying that “the Sansthan is there to take care of such matters.”

Before Shri Sai Baba laid down His mortal body, He began certain practices with a view to
ensure unity and peaceful coexistence of different religions, castes and communities. The
Sansthan has strived to continue those traditions. It has also coped up with the ever increasing
number of devotees and their requirements of modern amenities. It has contributed substantially
to the development of the Shirdi town and its surrounding areas.

Of course, Baba has blessed the festival of Ram Janmotsav with immortality. But, let us
also pray to the Almighty that it continues with more and more fervor in all the years to come.
 – Mrs. Mugdha Sudhir Divadkar
61, Hindu Colony, 1st Lane,
Dadar (E), Mumbai.
E-mail : [email protected]
Translated from original Marathi into English by Sudhir

mmm

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 Prayer – from Heart for All…
Last year’s chain of events like, Best Bakery bomb blast in Pune, the Dhantewada massacre, the
Air India Express crash, the gruesome act of sabotage that killed more than hundred people in
Jhargram, sent a chill down my spine (the memories of 26/11 in Mumbai had not yet faded) ! So
many precious lives lost ! So many hearts aching and bleeding for their near and dear ones, lost
forever ! ‘Who next ?’ my lips quivered. Those whom we see off in the morning, can we be sure that
they will be with us in the evening ? I shivered again. I was in front of Baba’s photograph in my
pooja room. “Is there no way out ?” I asked tearfully. Amidst so much pain, insecurity and
uncertainity, how can we tread the path of Self-realization, our ultimate goal of life ? The police, the
army, the relief-workers and the Heads of states are all doing their bit. But, we, who are at home,
young as well as old, in the role of housewives, mothers, sisters and friends (holding no official
portfolio), are we absolutely helpless and hapless ? Is there nothing that we can do ? With these
thoughts, I was seeing my son off to his college with a short prayer to Baba for his safe journey, to
and fro. Unknowingly, my prayers went out for all those boys and girls and then to all the people
who must be travelling at that point of time to their various destinations by road, by air or by sea
(even a sea voyage is no more safe these days). And suddenly, I realized I had been given the answer
– prayer is the way out. Prayers not only for our own folks and for ourselves but for every living

being.

When we pray for our loved ones, let the same prayer go out for as many and as far a land as
we can visualize. This I call the Ripple-effect prayer. When we throw a stone in the lake, it creates
ripples that seem to slowly cover the entire lake !

When we wake up in the morning, we say a general prayer that, may it be a bright and
peaceful day. Then, a more specific prayer for the son who is not being able to do well in studies, or
for the old grandmother who is sick and depressed or for the husband who is not happy at work. Let
these prayers be extended for all those who are under a similar condition, here or thousands of miles
away. Then, while we are seeing our folks off to their place of work, let us pray to Baba to take them
as well as every traveller on this planet under His wing of protection. When we are hungry and are
about to have our meal, let us stop and pray that may every living creature, from the tiniest ant to the
tallest tree, find sufficient food and be nourished (we can say a short prayer for the old and the sick
who have a poor digestion. Yes, it is amazing to discover the wide range of prayers that can be sent
out into this Existence). When we are having a cup of tea in the evening, it is not a bad idea to say
‘Cheers’ and pray for the safe return of our dear ones as well as for ____ well, by now, we know who
!

While retiring for the day, let us specially pray for those who are sick, injured, depressed,
alone or old. Let us pray to Baba that may they have a sound and peaceful sleep so that they may be
relieved of their pain and discomfort. Needless to say, our prayers must pour out from the depths of
our heart. It is important that after saying the prayer, we must visualize that it has come true. This
gives added – power to it to get actualized.

In his book ‘Happier than God’, Neale Donald Walsch says that whatever prayers we say,
Nature responds by saying ‘So it be’ (Tathastu). So, we should be very careful while wording our
prayers. Never to choose negative words or those words that describe the event we do not want to
happen. Eg. Instead of praying – “May there be no accident today”, (‘no’ is negative and ‘accident’
is the word that describes the event that we do not want to happen) we should say – “May everyone
have a safe and comfortable journey.” So, when Nature says – ‘‘Tathastu” (So it be), what gets
granted is ‘safety’ and ‘comfort’ during the journey. Nature does not register ‘no’ or ‘not’. The best
way to counter-act evil is by compassion and understanding. Hence, let us not be judgemental while
praying. Let Baba decide who is the evil-doer and who a good samaritan (Omnipotent, Omniscient
and Omnipresent that He is). We pray for one and all, indiscriminately. This kind of prayerfulness
leads us to the awareness that there is no ‘other’ - One consciousness dwells in all living and non-
living entities, thereby opening the door to Non-duality. Baba had always emphasized practice over
preaching. Let us practice praying to Baba with positive words, specific intent and compassionate
heart without being judgemental, for everyone. It won’t be long when each atom of this Existence
will be infused with love, compassion and care, thereby resonating peace, harmony and bliss !
Paradise shall be regained ! Tathastu !
- Sumona Bagchi
Translator : Shri Sai Sat Charita
Shri Saisagunopasana
Shri Sainath Stavanmanjari
Chaar Adhyay (on Sai Baba by
Dasganu Maharaj) in Bengali
A-41, Vishrantika Apartment,
Sector 3, Plot No. 5A,
Dwarka, New Delhi.
Mobile : (0)9899774321
E-mail : [email protected]

DECLARATION
Statement of ownership and other particulars about bi-monthly Shri Sai Leela to be published in the first issue of every year
after last day of February.
1. Place of Publication : Sai Niketan, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai - 400 014.
2. Periodicity of its Publication : Bi-monthly
3. Printer’s Name : K. R. More
4. Nationality : Indian
5. Address : Sai Niketan, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai - 400 014.
6. Publisher’s Name : K. R. More
7. Nationality : Indian
8. Address : Sai Niketan, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai - 400 014.
9. Editor’s Name : K. R. More
10. Nationality : Indian
11. Address : Sai Niketan, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar,
Mumbai - 400 014.
12. Name and Address of : Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) (Charitable and
individuals who own the Religious Institution)
News-paper and Partners or : P. O. Shirdi, Dist. Ahmednagar.
 Shareholders holding more than
one percent of the total capital
I, K. R. More, hereby declare that the particulars given above the true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
K. R. More
Executive Officer, Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi)
Printer & Publisher

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Saileela

In continuance of the centenary year celebrations of Ram Navami in Shirdi, a host of

programmes were organized from April 11 to April 13 this year.

The inkling of the celebration starts when the palanquins (Palkhis) start arriving in Shirdi. This
year a sum total of 208 palanquins and about 1, 6500 devotees came from Mumbai, Thane and
other parts of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, etc. Shree Sai Sansthan
had made provision of mandap, electricity, water, etc. for the stay of these pilgrims from Mumbai
to Shirdi at the following locations - Khardi Golbhan, Kasara Bypass, Latif Wadi, Ghoti, Sinnar,
Khopdi, Pangari, Vavi, Pathre, Pohegaon, Dushing Wadi, Maldhon Phata, Jhagde Phata and
Nimgaon. For the water being provided round the clock, 10 tankers and 23 workers were
employed. Along with that mobile emergency medical team was deployed from Sinnar to Shirdi.

On the first day of the celebration, Monday, April 11 at 4.30 a.m. Kakad Aarati was
performed. At 5 a.m. Baba’s Pothi, Veena and Photo were taken out in a procession from Samadhi
Mandir to Gurusthan to Dwarkamai. In this procession, Trustees Dr. Eknath Gondkar carried the
Veena, Shri Ashok Khambekar the Pothi, Shri Pandurang Abhang and Shri Krishnachandra
Pandey carried the Photo. Trustees Shri Suresh Wable, Shri Shailesh Kute, President of Shirdi
Nagar Panchayat and Sansthan Trustee Smt. Alka Shejwal, local residents and Sai devotees too
participated in the procession joyously shouting Baba’s Jay.

When the procession reached Dwarkamai, Shri Sai Sat Charita’s Akhand Parayan (complete
reading) was started by Trustee Shri Ashok Khambekar, Sau. Shobhatai Gondkar, Sau. Saraswati
Wakchaure, Trustee Dr. Eknath Gondkar and Shri Rahul Shejwal. At 5.20 a.m. Mangal Snan
(Holy Bath) was given to Sai Baba’s Statue. At 6.45 a.m. Sansthan’s Vice Chairman Shri
Shankarrao Kolhe did Padya Pooja (Pooja to Baba’s Feet).

It is the centenary year of the Sabha Mandap of Dwarkamai. Taking this into account, at 6.30
a.m. Vishnu Yag Yagnya was initiated by Sansthan’s Chairman Shri Jayant Sasane and Vice
Chairman Shri Shankarrao Kolhe in the open space in front of Dwarkamai. On the occasion
Trustees Shri Pandurang Abhang, Shri Ashok Khambekar, Shri Shailesh Kute, Shri
Krishnachandra Pandey, President of Shirdi Nagar Panchayat and Sansthan Trustee Smt. Alka
Shejwal, local residents and Sai devotees were present.

After the noon Aarati at 12.30 p.m. Tirth-prasad was distributed. Hari Bhakta Parayan
(H. B. P.) Shri Vikram Nandedkar’s melodious Kirtan programme was rendered from 4 p.m. to 6
p.m. Dhoop Aarati was held at 6.30 p.m.
 The ‘Vividh Geet Gayan’ programme by Shri Ninad Shukla was held on the stage in Sai Nagar
ground. On behalf of the Sansthan, Trustees Shri Shailesh Kute, Shri Suresh Wabale, Shri
Pandurang Abhang and Shri Ashok Khambekar felicitated the artistes, who participated in the
programme. After that, at 9 p.m. Akashvani (Goa) singer Smt. Shakuntala Bharane’s ‘Sai Bhajan
Sandhya’ programme was held on the stage in Sai Nagar ground. On behalf of the Sansthan,
Trustee Shri Ashok Khambekar felicitated the participating artistes in the programme. At 9.15
p.m. the Palkhi of Shri Sai Baba was taken in a procession around the village accompanied by
musicians playing. Alongwith the Palkhi, the lezim and bhajan groups of Shri Sainath Secondary
School’s girl students, Saileela Digital Brass Band, Shirdi, the cymbals band of Sanmitra Yuvak
Mandal, sanai and choughada musicians and local bhajan groups, registered their attendance.
After the Palkhi entered the temple premises, Shri Subhash Jakhadi, Shri Prakash Bhalerao, Shri
Kishore Gagare and Shri Sharad Pathare presented the bharud programme in front of the Palkhi.
On this day, Dwarkamai was kept open throughout the night for the Parayan.

Tuesday, April 12 was the main festival day. The Kakad Aarati of Shri Sai Baba was done at
4.30 a.m. At 5 a.m. after the completion of Parayan of Shri Sai Sat Charita, the Shobha Yatra of
Baba’s Photo, Sacred Book (Pothi) and Veena was taken from Dwarkamai to Samadhi Mandir.
Trustees Shri Suresh Wabale carried the Veena, Shri Shailesh Kute the Pothi and Dr. Eknath
Gondkar and Shri Pandurang Abhang carried the Photo and participated in the Shobha Yatra. After
the Shobha Yatra arrived in the Samadhi Mandir, Chairman of the Sansthan Shri Jayant Sasane
and Trustee Shri Shailesh Kute performed the Kavadi Pooja and a procession was taken out. Baba
was then given a Holy Bath. After that, Shri Sasane and Shri Kute performed the worship of
Baba’s Holy Feet. On the occasion of the centenary year of the Ram Navami festival, Sansthan’s
Trustee and Maharashtra State Minister for Agriculture and Marketing Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe
Patil, on behalf of the Sansthan, felicitated the producer of the film ‘Shirdi ke Sai Baba’ that
promoted and spread the work of Baba – Shri Manoj Kumar Goswami, the producer of
Doordarshan serial ‘Sai Baba’ Shri Prem Sagar, the actor who played Sai Baba’s role in the film
‘Shirdi ke Sai Baba’ Shri Sudhir Dalvi.

Sansthan’s Chairman Shri Jayant Sasane, President of Ahmednagar Zilla Parishad Smt.
Shalinitai Vikhe Patil, Trustees Shri Suresh Wabale, Shri Pandurang Abhang, Shri Shailesh Kute,
Shri Ashok Khambekar, Executive Officer Shri Kishore More and Deputy Executive Officer Dr.
Yashwantrao Mane and other dignitaries graced the occasion.

On Ram Navami day, it is a tradition to replace the old sack of wheat with a new sack in
Dwarkamai, after performing the ceremonial worship. This year the ceremonial worship of the
sack of wheat was performed in the Samadhi Mandir by Sansthan’s Trustee and Maharashtra State
Minister for Agriculture and Marketing Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and the President of
Ahmednagar Zilla Parishad Smt. Shalinitai Vikhe Patil and then placed in Dwarkamai. Marking
the centenary year of the Dwarkamai Sabha Mandap, the ritual worship of the pillar of the
Mandap was performed by the Trustees Dr. Eknath Gondkar, Shri Pandurang Abhang and Shri
Ashok Khambekar. Marking the centenary year of the Dikshit Wada, the Kalash Pooja at Dikshit
Wada was performed ritually by Sansthan’s Trustee and Maharashtra State Minister for
Agriculture and Marketing Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and the President of Ahmednagar Zilla
Parishad Smt. Shalinitai Vikhe Patil. Sansthan’s Chairman Shri Jayant Sasane, Trustees Shri
Suresh Wabale, Shri Shailesh Kute and other dignitaries graced the occasion.

In the morning from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Ram Janma (birth) Kirtan was rendered by H. B. P.
Shri Vikram Nandedkar on the temple stage in front of the Samadhi. The noon Aarati was done at
12.30 p.m. Being the centenary year of the Ram Navami festival and the Sabha Mandap of
Dwarkamai, this year the cradle of Rama’s birth was placed in the Dwarkamai hall. For this, the
hall was decked with attractive flowers. At 1.30 p.m. the total offerings in the Vishnu Yag Yagnya
in front of Dwarkamai was completed.
 This year too, the annual worship of the Nishans (symbols) brought by the Rasane and
Nimonkar families were traditionally performed and placed on the Samadhi. The procession of the
Nishans was taken out at 4 p.m. from the Samadhi Mandir first to the house of Late Kondaji
Sutar’s ancestral home in front of Sainath Chhaya building. As per the tradition, the worship of the
Nishans and Kathi (the stick) was done at that place and the procession was taken through the
Palkhi route and near the tomb of Tajim Khan Baba to Dwarkamai. There the Rasane and
Nimonkar families placed the Nishans on Dwarkamai. At 5 p.m. the procession of the Chariot was
taken through the village and after it returned, the Dhoop Aarati was done and Tirth-prasad was
distributed.

After the procession of the Chariot Saileela Brass Band, Sainath Secondary School’s girl
students’ lezim and bhajan groups, Sanmitra Yuvak Mandal’s cymbal band, local bhajan mandals,
sanai and choughada musicians of Shrirampur and others participated in the procession. After the
Chariot Procession arrived in the temple premises, the local artistes Shri Kishore Gagare, Shri
Sharad Pathare, Shri Subhash Jakhadi, Shri Prakash Bhalerao, Shri Ulhas Walunjkar and others
presented the bharud programme. After that Dhoop Aarati was done.

At 8.30 p.m. the 250 artistes’ grand drama ‘Shirdi ke Sai Baba’ produced by Smt. Asavari
Tidke, Sanskar Multi Services of Nagpur was staged on the 5000 sq. feet stage erected in the vast
compound of Sainagar. On behalf of the Sansthan, the artistes of this grand drama were felicitated
by Sansthan’s Chairman Shri Jayant Sasane, Sau. Rajashri Jayant Sasane, Trustees Dr. Eknath
Gondkar, Shri Suresh Wabale, Sau. Sindhutai Wabale, Trustee Shri Ashok Khambekar, Sau. Minal
Khambekar, former President of Shirdi Nagar Panchayat and former Trustee of the Sansthan Shri
Kailas Kote, the Deputy President of Shirdi Nagar Panchayat Shri Vijay Kote, Councilor Shri
Rajendra Kote and Shri Mangesh Tribhuvan. Artistes presented their programmes in front of Sai
Baba from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Being the main day of the festival, the Samadhi Mandir was kept
open for Darshan throughout the night.

On Wednesday, April 13, the concluding day of the festival, after the Holy Bath of Sai Baba, a
small Aarati ‘Shirdi majhe Pandharpur’ was sung. After that, worship of the Holy Feet of Baba
was done by Trustee Smt. Rimpal Lohia. On this day Rudrabhishek was done by Trustees Shri
Ashok Khambekar and Smt. Rimple Lohiya at Gurusthan. Being the centenary year of Shri Ram
Navami festival, Rudrabhishek of Sai Baba’s Samadhi in the Samadhi Mandir was done from 8
a.m. to 10 a.m. H. B. P. Shri Vikram Nandedkar presented the Gopal Kala Kirtan.

At 12 noon the Dahi Handi was broken. After that, the noon Aarati was done. Trustee Shri
Ashok Khambekar felicitated H. B. P. Shri Vikram Nandedkar on behalf of the Sansthan for
presenting melodious Kirtan programmes on all the three days of the festival.

Dhoop Aarati was done at 6.30 p.m.

At 7 p.m. ‘Sai Bhajan Sandhya’ programme was presented by Smt. Mita Pandit of Delhi on
the stage in Sainagar ground. Trustees Dr. Eknath Gondkar, Shri Suresh Wabale and Shri Ashok
Khambekar felicitated the artistes, who participated in this programme. After that, at 9.30 p.m.
cine singer Shri Nitin Mukesh presented his ‘Vividh Geet Gayan’ programme on the stage in
Sainagar ground. Artistes participating in this programme were felicitated by Trustees Shri Suresh
Wabale, Dr. Eknath Gondkar, Shri Ashok Khambekar and administrative officer Shri Ramesh
Sabale. On the occasion of the festival, under the auspices of the Sansthan and the Shirdi villagers
a grand wrestling tournament was jointly organized. The first prize winner of the tournament,
wrestler Machindra Jape was presented the ‘Shri Sai Kesari’ title and cash prize of Rs.51,000 on
behalf of the Sansthan by Trustees Dr. Eknath Gondkar, Shri Suresh Wabale and Shri Ashok
Khambekar. More than 100 wrestlers including female wrestlers participated in the wrestling
tournament this year.

Devotees were spellbound viewing the Mahadwar (grand gateway) displaying scenes from the
life of Shri Sai Baba at the main entrance done by Dwarkamai Mandal of Mumbai. LED screen
was installed on the Mahadwar, on which facility to view all the programmes in the Samadhi
Mandir was provided. The electric lighting done by the Mandal in the Samadhi Mandir and the
temple premises drew the attention of all devotees. The artistes, who did the decorations were
felicitated with a shawl and coconut by the Sansthan’s Executive Officer Shri Kishore More and
Deputy Executive Officer Dr. Yashwantrao Mane. Trustee Smt. Rimpal Lohia donated for the
attractive floral decorations of the Samadhi Mandir and the premises. TV 9 Maharashtra and Star
Majha did live telecast of the festival.

On the first day of the festival sheera was included as the sweet dish in the Prasad meal, jalebi
on the second day and bundi on the third day. To enable everyone to get the ‘motichoor ladoo’,
considering the massive turnout, 150 quintals of sugar ladoos were prepared.

On all the three days of the festival, free Prasad meal was served in the Sai Prasadalay, from
donations made by Shri Naman Ahuja and Shri Narendra Rishi of Delhi, Shri M. Bharat Kumar
and Smt. M. V. N. Malleshwari of Vijaywada, Shri R. Annapurna, Shri R. Ramkumar and Shri R.
Krishna of Vishakhapatnam, Smt. Jakka Bhaskarrao of Machhalipatnam, Smt. Radha Hirji
Thakkar and Shri Shantilal Ambalalal Joshi of Ahmedabad, Shirdi Sai Sevak Mandali Charitable
Trust of Kantipur (Orissa), Shri Madhukar Baburao Kalanke of Nasik, Shri Suryaprakash Druvedi
and Shri Srivastav Druvedi of Varanasi, Shri Rajendrakumar Garg of Jevara, Kailas Reramic of
Gujarat, Sai Properties (Chandigadh), Shri Balasaheb Tukaram Gondkar of Shirdi’s Sai Chhaya
Group, Shri Devanand Gunjal of Nanded and villagers of Shirdi.

During the three days of the festival, 1,79,706 Sai devotees took the benefit of Prasad bhojan
and 2,50,389 packets of ladoo Prasad were distributed.

Under the guidance of Sansthan’s Trustee and Maharashtra State Minister for Agriculture and
Marketing Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Sansthan’s Chairman Shri Jayant Sasane, Vice
Chairman Shri Shankarrao Kolhe, all Trustees, Executive Officer Shri Kishore More and Deputy
Executive Officer Dr. Yashwantrao Mane, all the administrative officers and employees toiled
round the clock for the successful conduct of the festival.

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