PILGRIMAGE
IN INDIA
Shirdi:- Shirdi is that mystical magical
town near the holy city
of Nasik, close to Mumbai. This hallowed town exudes such
intense devotion, that even the casual visito r is bound to
be
charged with fervour. Shirdi was the abode of the saint Sai
Baba, who lived here for eighty years - and died here
over
eighty years ago. It is said that Sai Baba himself
calls his
devotees to Shirdi and that his blessings can heal
even the
deepest wound.The town is tiny - just 2 square km of
main
street and a labyrinth of by-lanes- but packs in much passion.
Pilgrims throng for a brief "darshan" at Samadhi Mandir,
the
shrine of Sai Baba where his mortal remains were interred.
The queues outside the mandir are endless, the throng inside
is maddening, and the devotion intense. Next to the shrine is the peaceful
Masjid where Sai Baba spent most of his life. The sacred fire called "dhuni"
still burns here and its ash or "udhi" is smeared on devotees. The
Chavadi is a small building where Sai Baba used to spend every alternate
night.The Guru Sthan is the shrine where the Baba?s
spiritual leader took samadhi (gave up his body). The neem tree at the Guru
Sthan where Sai Baba first sat when he came to Shirdi, is said to have
absorbed miracle powers. The Lendi Gardens where Sai Baba went for a walk and
sat in meditation is a spot where devotees come to pray. The Khandoba Temple,
near the STA bus stop, is the oldest temple in Shirdi. The streets
of Shirdi are paved with shops selling Sai Baba memorabilia, especially the
unforgettable pictures of Sai Baba himself, with his piercing eyes,
snowy beard and benevolent smile. For assistance in Shirdi,
contact the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, a charitable organisation with a
rest house, canteen, locker facilities and an assistance counter at the
bus stand.Pilgrims flock to Shirdi at any time
of the year. Shirdi has a dry climate that swings to extremes,
from a high of 40 Degree C in May,
to a low of 7 Degree C in January. But the monsoon months
- June to August - are pleasant, with scanty rains. Though the shrine
is open though the week, Thursday is Sai Baba's special day.
Routine at Temple:- The
Kakad Aarti (the early morning worship and prayer) is performed very early
in the morning at 5.15 a.m. in the main
sanctum sanctorium where Baba's body has been
entombed. Then the Samadhi and the idol are washed ceremonially and clad.
Everyday from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. the music of Sai Geet (devotional
songs on Sai) is played. Then the abhishek (bathing of the deity) begins at
7.30 a.m. The noon aarti (mid-day prayer) takes place exactly at noon.
After this aarti there is a break until the programme
of singing, bhajan and kirtan (devotional songs) in the afternoon. There
is aarti again at 6.30 p.m. (sunset prayer).
Then there is kirtan or bhajan till 10 p.m. and the last aarti, i.e., Shej-aarti
(night prayer) takes place at 10 p.m. The idol and the Samadhi
are covered by a mosquito net and the Lord Sri Sai Baba is thereafter
deemed to have gone to sleep as the devotees lovingly treat
Him as a father. On Thursdays, there is a procession
of the palki (Baba's carriage) and the padukas
(Baba's slippers) at night and five gunshots are fired at
the time of the procession. Loudspeakers are arranged
at the time of the aarti and on festival days.
About White Marble Statue of Sri Sai Baba:- Thalim
was a sculptor. He was engaged to carve the white Marble
statue of sri Sai Baba, He spent much time to select suitable features for the
purpose. He observed in vain many pictures of Baba with different
postures. He could not form any mental picture. He was in a fix. Then Baba appeared
to him in his dream and gave instructions. Thalim was able to
carve the life like size marble stone statue of
Baba by His Grace (Baba's). It has the sanctity of having Grace of Baba.The
statue is as big as that of a grown up man. It was in 1956 that
the statue was installed (pratishta). It seems as
if it has life. It's features express karuna and Brahma
Varchassu. (Heavenly radiance). It is surprising to note that
from which ever angle you look at the statue, it seems as if, it
is looking with grace at you only. How sweet his smile is ! No where in the
world, it is said, can we see such a statue. It is Unique. After
Arati, every time, Baba's statue is dressed with new
clothes and garlanded It is a great wonder to see him as an old man at the time
of Abhisheka and as an energetic Young Emperor after
he i s dressed and garlanded. It is the feeling felt by all pilgrims
who visit the Mandir.
Places of Interest:-
Dwarkamayee Masjid -
This was an old Masjid named as
Dwarka Mai by Sai Baba Himself. He lived here all day and
used to sit on a big stone, which is still preserved. A portrait of Sai Baba,
painted during His lifetime, is also kept here. In front of the portrait,
the sacred dhuni (fire) kindled by Sai Baba is kept burning since
then. A grinding stone, a bathing stone, a wooden pillar, chulha (stove),
padukas (slippers) and Tulsi (Holy Basil) Vrindavan,
which were used by Sai Baba are all maintained here. Rath (carriage) and
the pallanquin are also kept here in a small room. The udi,
taken out from the ever-blazing dhuni, is used by the devotees as miraculous
ash.
PAGE 2
