|
Ram Navami (Birthday
of Lord Ram the Incarnation) celebrations were started with Baba’s
permission in Dwarkamai mosque in the year 1898. Devotees regarded this
auspicious day as the birthday of Lord Sai alike Lord Ram, an incarnation.
The celebrations continue for three days. On the first day a procession is
taken out with Baba’s photo and Sai Satcharitra (The life history of
Baba written by Shri Hemadpant in Marathi). On the same day the Palki
procession goes round the village of Shirdi. On the main day Godavari
(Baba used to call it ‘Ganga’ ) water is brought in Kawads
and this water is used for Baba’s Mangal snan (Holy bath). In the
evening on the main day chariot procession is taken out going round
the village with much fervour and devotion. The temple is open for the
whole night for darshan on the main day. Various devotional
programmes are conducted on this occasion for all the three days.
The Guru-purnima
festival was started with Baba’s permission during his time. This day is
marked for offering worship to one’s spiritual Master with reverence and
love. It falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month ‘Ashaad '
(July-August). The celebrations continue for three days.The temple is open
for the whole night for darshan on main day. Various devotional
programmes are conducted on this occasion for all the three days.
Vijaya
Dashmi (Dusshehra) festival is celebrated as Baba’s Maha Samadhi
day. The day Baba left his physical body . After the Maha Samadhi
of Baba, Vijaya Dashmi or ‘Dusshehra’ has come to be the most
important festival at Shirdi as the anniversary of the Supreme event –
Shri Sai Baba’s Mahasamadhi. The
celebrations continue for three days. The temple is open for the whole
night for darshan on main day. Various devotional programmes are
conducted on this occasion for all the three days.
Baba is
known as the full incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, therefore the
traditional festival of ‘Dattajayanti’ (the anniversary
of Divine descent of Lord Dattatreya) has become another important
celebration in Shirdi.
Ekadashi
(Shudh) is the 11th day of the bright half of the month. The devotees
of Lord Vishnu observe this day with much devotion and austerity. On two
occasions of Ekadashi days (Kartik and Ashaad) the Palki procession
takes place with Vitthal's image alongwith Baba.
Shiv Ratri,
is a night of spiritual congregation. The devotees of Lord Shiva celebrate
it with much fervour and devotion. On
the occasions of Shiv Ratri the Palki procession takes place with
Lord Shiva's image alongwith Baba.
Gokul Ashtmi
is celebrated to mark the auspicious day of the birth of Lord Krishna, an
Incarnation. For the devotees from all
religions, all other festive occasions are large congregations at Shirdi.
|
(The
Pilgrimage)
