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Shri Ram Navami Celebration 2024 In Shirdi – A Report – Courtesy: Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi)

Shri Ram Navami Festival organized by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust Shirdi started on a very auspicious note on Tuesday, 16th April 2024. 

On the first day of the festival, after the morning Kakad Aarti at 5:15 am, procession of Sai Baba's Portrait, Idol, Veena and the holy Sai Satcharitra were taken out upto Dwarkamai. Sansthan’s Ad-Hoc Committee Member and District Collector Shri.Siddaram Salimath carried the holy Shri Sai Satcharitra Pothi, Sansthan Deputy Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale and Administrative Officer Shri.Vittalrao Barge carried Baba’s photograph and Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar carried Veena and participated in the procession. Sansthan Chief Acccountant cum Administratie Officer Smt.Mangala Varade, Temple Incharge Shri.Ramesh Choudhary, Sansthan Public Relations Officer Shri.Tushar Shelke, Temple Priests, Sansthan Staff members, local villagers and devotees participated in large numbers in the procession.

After the procession reached Dwarkamai, Akhanda Shri Sai Satcharitra Parayan started. Sansthan’s Ad-Hoc Committee Member and District Collector Shri.Siddaram Salimath read the 1st Chapter and set the ball rolling for Akhanda Shri Sai Satcharitra Parayan.

Earlier in the morning at 7:00 am Baba’s Pada Pooja was performed with due religious custom and tradition by Sansthan’s Ad-Hoc Committee Member and District Collector Shri.Siddaram Salimath.

Samadhi Mandir and its surrounding were beautifully decorated with attractive flower decoration with the generous donation from Shri.Venkata Subramanian from Bangalore.

On the main day of Shri Ram Navami festival i.e., on Wednesday, 17th April 2024, Samadhi Mandir was kept open throughout night for darshan. Lakhs of Sai devotees from all over the State and the Country got the benefit of Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Darshan. Entire Shirdi town reverberated with huge Sai Naam Jaykar from lakhs of Sai devotees who came along with Palanquins from various places in the State and took Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi darshan in this festival.

Today, being main day of the festival, after Kakad Aarti at 5:15 am, Akhanda Shri Sai Satcharitra Parayan got completed at Dwarakamai. A procession of Holy Shri Sai Satcharitra was taken from Dwarakamai through Gurusthan Temple to Samadhi Mandir. Sansthan’s Ad-Hoc Committee Member and District Collector Shri.Siddaram Salimath carried the holy Shri Sai Satcharitra Pothi, Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar and Deputy Executive Engineer Shri.Dinakar Desai carried Baba’s photograph and Deputy Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale carried Veena and participated in the procession. Sansthan Security Officer Shri.Rohidas Mali, Temple Incharge Shri.Ramesh Choudhary, Acting Public Relations Officer Shri.Tushar Shelke, Temple Priests, Sansthan Staff members, local villagers and Sai devotees participated in large numbers in the procession.

Shri Sai Baba's Holy bath was performed at 6:20 am followed by Darshan and Kavadi Procession.

At 7:30 am, Sansthan Chairman and Principal District Judge Shri.Sudhakar Yarlagadda and his wife Smt.Malati Yarlagadda performed ritualistic worship of Holy Padukas at the Samadhi Mandir.

At 8:00 am, Sansthan Chairman and Principal District Judge Shri.Sudhakar Yarlagadda and his wife Smt.Malati Yarlagadda, Sansthan Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale performed Flag Pooja at Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Shatabdi Pillar at Lendi Baugh and changed the flag.

At 8:30 am, in order to change the wheat bag at Dwarakamai, Sansthan Chairman and Principal District Judge Shri.Sudhakar Yarlagadda and his wife, Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar and his wife, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale and his wife performed ritualistic worship of Wheat Bag at the Samadhi Mandir and replaced the Wheat Bag at the Dwarakamai. On the occasion, Temple Incharge Shri.Ramesh Choudhary, Acting Public Relations Officer Shri.Tushar Shelke, Security Officer Shri.Rohidas Mali and other dignitaries were also present.

In the morning at 10:00 am, Hari Bhakta Parayan Shri.Vikaram Nandedkar from Gorte performed Shri Rama Janma Keertan on Samadhi Mandir Shatabdi Mantap Stage. After the completion of Keertan, Sansthan Chairman and Principal District Judge Shri.Sudhakar Yarlagadda and his wife Smt.Malati Yarlagadda, Sansthan Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale, Acting Public Relations Officer Shri.Tushar Shelke, Temple Priests, Shirdi Villagers and Sai devotees celebrated Shri Rama Janmotsav.

Afternoon Aarti was held at 12:30 pm. From Afternoon 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm Dr.Latha Surendra from Mumbai performed Epic Journey of Lord Shri Rama. At 4:00 pm in the evening, flag procession was taken out.

At 5:00 pm, Shri Sai Baba Chariot Procession was taken out throughout Shirdi village. In this Chariot Procession, Sansthan Chairman, Members, Officials, Staff Members, Sai devotees and Shirdi villagers participated in large numbers along with Cymbals, Lejim, Band Troupe and Dhol instruments. After the return of Chariot Procession, Dhoop Aarti was held at 6:30 pm.

From 7:30 pm to 09.30 pm, Sai Swar Nrutyotsav Programme from Shri.Vijay Sakharkar, Sai Seva Nrutyotsav, Mumbai was held on Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir Shatabdi Mantap stage. The audience responded enthusiastically to this programme. After the programme, the artists were felicitated on behalf of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan.

Also, today being the main day of festival, Samadhi Mandir was kept open throughout the night for darshan. Lakhs of devotees took adavantage of Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Darshan.

From 10:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sai Bhajan programme from interested artists was held on Samadhi Mandir Stage.

On the occasion of Shri Ram Navami festival, Sai devotee Smt.Sunita Poddar donated Rs.31,00,000/- (rupees Thirty One lakh only) to Shri Sai Prasadalaya. On the occasion, inaguration of Dish Washing Machine at Shri Sai Prasadalaya was peformed jointly at the hands of Smt.Sunita Poddar, Sansthan Chairman and Principal District Judge Shri.Sudhakar Yarlgadda and Smt.Malati Yarlgadda. On this occasion, Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulawle, Executive Engineer Shri.Bhikan Dabhade, Head of Mechanical Department Shri.Atul Wagh, Head of Sri Sai Prasadalaya Department Shri.Vishnu Thorat and other dignitaries were also present.

Shri Ram Navami festival organized by Sansthan and started on Tuesday, 16th April 2024 concluded on Thursday, 18th April 2024 in a spirited atmosphere with breaking of Dahi Handi after the Kalyachi Keeertan by Hari Bhakta Parayana Shri.Vikram Nandedkar at 10:00 am. On the occasion, Sansthan Acting Chief Executive Officer Shri.Rahul Jadhav, Chief Accounts Officer Smt.Mangala Varade, Administrative Officer Dr. Akash Kisve, Accounts Officer Shri.Kailas Kharade, Deputy Executive Engineer Shri.B.D.Dabhade, Security Officer Shri.Annasaheb Pardeshi, Temple Incharge Shri.Ramesh Chaudhary, Temple Priests, Staff Members, Sai Devotees and Villagers were also present in large numbers. Sasthan Acting Chief Executive Officer Shri.Rahul Jadhav felicitated Hari Bhakta Parayana Shri.Vikram Nandedkar on the occasion.

After this Kirtankar H.B.P.Shri.Vikram Nandedkar, Gorte was felicitated on behalf of Shri Saibaba Sansthan by Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar, Chief Executive Officer of Sansthan. On this occasion, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulawle, Administrative Officer Shri.Vitthalrao Berge, Temple Incharge Shri.Ramesh Choudhary, Public Relations Officer Shri.Tushar Shelke, Security Officer Shri.Rohidas Mali, Temple priests, Shirdi villagers and Sai devotees were also present in large numbers.

On the concluding day of the festival, at 05.05 am, Shri Sai Baba's Mangal Snan followed by Shirdi Majhe Pandharpur Aarti was performed.

At 6:50 am, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale and his wife Smt.Jyothi Hulwale performed ritualistic worship of Holy Padukas at the Samadhi Mandir. Temple Incharge Shri.Ramesh Choudhary and Priests were also present on the occasion.

At 07.00 am, Sansthan Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar and his wife Smt.Vandana Gadilkar performed Rudrabhishek Pooja at Gurusthan Temple.

After the completion of Kalyachi Keertan by Hari Bhakta Parayan Shri.Vikram Nandedkar, Dahi Handi Breaking Ceremony was held at 12:00 noon at Samadhi Mandir.

Noon Aarti was held at 12.10 noon followed by Teerth Prasad. From 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Dr. Prasad Shriram Choudhary from Jalna gave a Abhangvani program. Dhoop Aarti was held at 6.30 pm. Evening 7:30 pm to night 9:30 pm Shri.Alok Mishra, Sai Aas Trust, New Delhi enthralled devotees with Sai Bhajan Sandhya on Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir Shatabdi Mantap Stage. The audience responded enthusiastically to this programme. Sansthan felicitated the artist at the end of the programme. Shej Aarti was held at 10.00 pm.

For the successful completion of Shri Ram Navami festival celebration, under the able guidance of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Chairman and Chief Sessions and District Judge Shri.Sudhakar Yarlagadda, Committee Member and District Collector Shri.Siddaram Salimath,Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale, Sansthan Administrative Officers Shri.Vittalrao Barge, Smt.Prajna Mahandule, Dr.Shailesh Oak, Executive Engineer Shri.Bhikan Dabhade, Security Officer Shri.Rohidas Mali, All Department Heads, all the employees have put in special efforts.

Preparation Complete For Shri Rama Navami Festival 2024 - Courtesy : Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Press Release dated 13th April 2024

Like every year, this year's Shri Rama Navami Festival Celebration will be held from Tuesday, 16th April 2024 to Thursday, 18th April 2024 on behalf of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi). Preparations for the Shri Rama Navami festival have been completed. Dwarakamai Mandal, Mumbai have done attractive electric lighting decoration and also have erected a magnificent cutout of Lord Shri Rama at the entrance of Gate No.4. An attractive flower decoration will be done with the generous donation from Bangalore Sai devotee Shri.Venkata Subramanian. Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar also informed that during the three day period of festival, various religious and cultural programmes have been organized.

Shri.Gadilkar said that Shri Rama Navami Festival was started way back in 1911 with the permission of Shri Sai Baba. Since then, this festival is celebrated in Shirdi with Sgreat enthusiasm. Considering possible heavy rush of devotees during the festival, with a view to provide smooth darshan and in order to protect devotees from heat, about 11,500 square feet Mantap have been erected inside temple area, Mangal Karyalaya, Sainagar Grounds and other places. Also, in order to provide additional accommodation to Sai devotees, about 36,570 square feet Mantap has been erected at Sai Bhaktaniwas Guest House (500 rooms), Sai Dharmashala and Sainagar Grounds by providing all amenities like water, electricity, Toilets and Security arrangements. In addition to this, in order to fecilitate accommodation for Padayatris who come along with Palanquins from Mumbai and surrounding areas like Khardi, Golbhan, Kasara Bypass, Latifwadi, Ghoti, Sinnar, Khopdi, Pangri, Vavi, Pathare, Dushingwadi, Maldhon and Jagde Phata etc to Shirdi, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan has set up about 1,16,000 square feet of Cloth Mantap at the places where palanquin stops all along Mumbai Shirdi highway by providing amenities like water and electricity. Shri.Valmikrao Kathkade from Kopergaon has provided 10 free wanter tankers along with drivers for which fuel and maintenance are being taken care of by Sansthan. Also, after the Padayatris arrive in Shirdi, accommodation for Padayatris will be provided at Sai Dharmashala at nominal rates. In order to provide emergency medical care to Padayatris on the way from Sinnar to Shirdi, a mobile medical team has been deployed. Also, for the convenience of Sai devotees during the summer season, summer cloth pavilions with palm leaf roofs have been erected in the temple area, Sai Prasadalaya and other guest houses maintained by Sansthan.

It is planned that more than 2 lakh Sai devotees will partake Prasad Bhojan at Sri Sai Prasadalaya during the festival. During the three-day festival, different varieties of Sai Prasad bhojan will be served. In order to provide Coffee, Tea and Milk to devotees easily arrangements have been made in and around darshan area, Sai Complex, Sai Ashram, Sai Dharmashala, Bhaktaniwas (500 rooms), Dwaravati Bhaktaniwas, Sai Udyan buillding premises, new darshan queue complex, Shantiniwas building, ground and first floor of darshan queue complex.

In addition, First Aid Centres will be set up in front of Gurusthan Temple, Dixit Wada, new Darshan Queue Complex,Shantiniwas building queue complex, New Bhaktaniwas (500 rooms), Sai Ashram, Shri Sai Prasadalaya, Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir Shatabdi Mantap near Maruti Mandir and other places along with Ambulances deployed at these places to provide medical services. Extra Buses have been arranged for devotees to commute from Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir to Shri Sai Ashram, Shri Sai Baba Bhaktaniwas Guest House, Shri Sai Dharmashala and Shri Sai Prasadalaya. In order to make Prasad Laddu Packets easily avalable to devotees during the festival period, 165 quintals of Bundi/Laddu Prasad will be prepared. Also, Laddu Sales Counters have been set up at Sai Mangal Karyalaya, near Gate No.1, Open Air Theatre in front of Dwarakamai, Sai Complex adjacent to Maruti Mandir, Sri Sai Prasadalaya, Sevadham building, Shirdi Airport and all other guest houses. Plans are afoot to set up additional Laddu Sales Counters as and when required. Also, on the occasion of Shri Rama Navami Festival, Samadhi Mandir, Dwarakamai, Chavadi and Gurusthan will be beautifully decorated with attractive flowers from the donation received from Bangalore's Philanthropic Sai devotee Shri.Venkata Subramanian. Also, Eye Catching Electrical Lighting decoration as well as magnificent cutout of Lord Shri Rama will be erected at the entrance of Gate No.4 by Dwarakamai Mandal, Mumbai. Also, Security Personnel from Sansthan security department, police officers and staff, rapid action force, bomb detection teams have been deployed to keep security in the temple area and Shirdi town. Also, a joint anti enforcement team comprising of Sri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi Police Administration and Shirdi Municipal Corporations have been kept ready.

Also various religious and cultural programmes have been organized during the festival. On the occasion of Shri Rama Navami Celebration on Tuesday, 16th April 2024, there will be Kakad Aarti at 5.15 am. At 5.45 am a procession will be taken out with a Shri Sai Baba Photo and Pothi. At 6.00 am, there will be continuous recital of Holy Shri Sai Satcharitra at Dwarakamai followed by Holy bath for Shri Sai Baba and darshan at 6.20 am. Ritualistic worship of Holy Padukas at Samadhi Mandir will be held at 7:00 am. There will be Noon Aarti at 12.30 Noon followed by Teerth-Prasad and other programs. Keertan will be performed between 4 pm and 6 pm by Hari Bhakta Parayan Shri.Vikram Nandedkar from Srimad Sadguru Shri Dasganu Maharaj Pratishtan, Gorte, Nandad. Sai Mahima Gunagan programme by Hari Bhakta Parayan Devaraoji Kulmethe Maharaj, Nasik Road from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Sai Bhajan and devotional songs programme will be performed by Smt.Padmavati Govind Parekar, Ninad Group, Pune from 3:45 pm to 5:30 pm. Dhoop Aarti will be performed at 6.30 pm. From evening 7:30 pm to night 9:30 pm Sai Bhajan Sandhya programme by Mirange Events, Navi Mumbai will be held. A procession of Shri Sai Baba Palanquin from Chavadi will be taken out through Shirdi Town at 9.15 pm. After the procession returns, Shej Aarti will be performed at 10.30 pm. Dwarakamai will be kept open for throughout the  night on this day for reading the Holy Scripture.

On the main day of festival on Wednesday, 17th April 2024, Kakad Aarti will be performed at 5.15 am followed by conclusion of Akhanda Parayan at 5.45 am. After the completion of Akhanda Parayan, there will be a procession of Shri Sai Baba Photo and Pothi. Holy Bath for Shri Sai Baba will be held at 6.20 with the arrival of water filled vessels (Kavadi). Shri Ram Janma Keertan will be held at the stage near Samadhi Temple between 10 am and 12 noon by Hari Bhakta Parayan Shri.Vikram Nandedkar from Srimad Sadguru Shri Dasganu Maharaj Pratishtan, Gorte, Nandad. Noon Aarti will be held at 12.30 noon. From 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Dr.Lata Surendra from Mumbai will present Maha Kavya of Lord Shri Ram. At 4 pm there will be flag procession followed by procession of Shri Sai Baba Chariot throughout Shirdi Town at 5 pm. After the procession returns, Dhoop Aarti will be performed at 6.30 pm. Evening 7:30 pm to night 09:30 pm Shri.Vijay Sakharkar from Mumbai will be peforming Sai Swar Dance programme. A program by the intended artists will be held between 10 pm and 5 am next day in front of Shri Sai Baba at the Samadhi Mandir. As this is also the main day of celebrations, Samadhi Mandir will be kept open throughout the entire night for darshan. Therefore the regular Shej Aarti on 17th April 2024 and early morning Kakad Aarti on 18th April 2024 will not be held.

On the concluding day of festival i.e., on Thursday, 18th April 2024, the holy bath for Shri Sai Baba and Darshan will be performed at 5.05 am. Rudrabhishek will be performed at Gurusthan Temple at 7.00 am. Gopal Kala Keertan will be held from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon by Hari Bhakta Parayan Shri.Vikram Nandedkar from Srimad Sadguru Shri Dasganu Maharaj Pratishtan, Gorte, Nandad followed by Dahi Handi breaking ceremony. Noon Aarti will be held at 12.10 noon followed by Teerth Prasad. Dhoop Aarti will be held at 6.30 pm. Thursday Palanquin Procession will be held at 9:15 pm. From afternoon 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm Dr.Prasad Sriram Choudhary from Jalna will be peforming Abhang Keertans. Evening 7:30 pm to night 9:30 pm Shri.Alok Mishra from Sai Aas Trust, New Delhi will be enthralling devotees with Sai Bhajan Sandhya programme. Shej Aarti will be held at 10.00 pm. 16th April Keertan programme will be held on the northern stage of Samadhi Mandir and Keertan Programmes on 17th and 18th April 2024 will be held on Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Shatabdi Mantap near Maruti Mandir. Shri.Gadilkar also informed that the program of invited artists will be held on the stage of Shri Saibaba Samadhi Shatabdi Mantap near Maruti Mandir.

Shri.Gadilkar said that during the festival period, everyday evening from 7:30 pm to night 9:30 pm, performance from Invited Artists will be held on the stage of Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir Shatabdi Mantap near Maruti Mandir.

In order to ensure Shri Rama Navami festival a grand success, under the able guidance of Sansthan ad hoc committee chairman and chief district and sessions judge Shri.Sudhakar Yarlgadda, committee member and collector Shri.Siddharam Salimath, Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar and Deputy Chief executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulvale, all the administrative officers, Security Officers, Heads of all departments and all Sansthan employees are putting maximum effort.

Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Celebrate Gudi Padwa - The Maharashtra New Year - Courtesy : Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Press Release dated 9th April 2024

On this auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa festival today,  Gudi was erected on the top of Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir. Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar and his wife Smt.Vandana Gadilkar performed the ritualistic worship of Gudi and erected it atop Samadhi Mandir. Deputy Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale and his wife Smt.Jyothi Hulwale, Administrative Officer Shri.Vittalrao Barge, Temple Incharge Shri.Ramesh Choudhary, Public Relations Officer Shri.Tushar Shelke and Chief Security Officer Shri.Rohidas Mali and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

Prelude To Sri Rama Navami Festival 2024 Celebration In Shirdi - Courtesy: Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Press Release Dated 8th April 2024

Shri Saibaba Sansthan celebrates Sri Rama Navami every year. It is one of the three main festivals. This festival is celebrated for three days. This festival has a tradition of a century and this festival has actually started on the orders of Sai Baba. Hence, it has a unique significance. Shri Saibaba Sansthan celebrates this festival like a big festival. This year the festival is celebrated from Tuesday 16th April 2024 to Thursday, 18th April 2024. On this occasion, sharing a little prelude to this festival.

Origin

Mr. Gopalrao Gund was a Circle Inspector at Kopergaon. He was a great devotee of Baba; He had three wives but initially had no children. With Sai Baba’s blessings, a son was born to him. Due to the joy that he felt about this, the idea of celebrating a fair or Urus occurred to him in the year 1897 and he placed it for consideration before other Shirdi devotees, like Tatya Patil, Dada Kote Patil and Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama). They all approved of the idea and got Sai Baba’s permission and blessings. Then an application to get the Collector’s sanction for celebrating the Urus was submitted. But as a village official was against holding the fair, the sanction was refused. But as Sai Baba had blessed it, they tried again and ultimately succeeded in getting the Collector’s sanction. The day for the Urus was fixed on the Rama-Navami day, after consultation with Sai Baba. It seemed He had some reason for doing this− the Unification of the two fairs or festivals, the Urus and the Rama-Navami and thereby the unification of the two communities (the Hindus and the Muslims). As future events showed, this objective was achieved.

Though permission was obtained, other difficulties cropped up; Shirdi was a small village and there was a scarcity of water. There were two wells in the village, the main well dried up very soon and the water from the second was brackish. This brackish water was turned into sweet water by Sai Baba, by throwing flowers into it. The water of this well was still insufficient and so Tatya Patil had to arrange to get water from a distant well. Then temporary shops had to be constructed and wrestling bouts were arranged. Gopalrao Gund had a friend named Damu Anna Kasar, of Ahmednagar; he was also similarly unhappy in the matter of progeny, though he had married twice. He too was blessed by Sai Baba with sons and Mr. Gund prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply a simple flag for the procession in the fair. He also succeeded in inducing Mr. Nanasaheb Nimonkar to supply another embroidered flag; Both these flags were taken in procession through the village and were finally fixed at two corners of the Masjid. This is being done even now.

The Sandal Procession

There was another procession which was started during this fair. The idea for a Sandal procession originated with Mr. Amir Shakkar Dalal, a Muslim devotee from Korhla. This procession is held in honor of great Muslim Saints. Sandal paste and scrapings are put on a flat dish and these are carried, with incense burning in the dish, through the village with music playing in the background. And after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the dishes are applied on the Nimbar (niche) and walls of the Masjid by hand. This work was managed by Mr. Amir Shakkar for the first three years and then afterwards by his wife. Thus, on the same day, the two processions− the Flags by the Hindus and that of Sandal by the Muslims− went on side by side and are still going on without any hitch.

Arrangement

This day was very dear and sacred to Baba’s devotees. Most of them turned up on the occasion and took a leading part in the management of the fair. Tatya Kote Patil took care of all outward affairs, while the internal management was left entirely to Radha Krishna Mai (a female devotee of Baba). Her residence was full of guests on the occasion and she had to take care of their needs and also arrange for all the paraphernalia of the fair. Another task which she willingly did was clean and white-wash the entire Masjid. Its walls and floors, which had been blackened by soot due to the burning Dhuni (sacred fire) that Baba maintained, were cleaned and white-washed. She did this during the night, when Sai Baba went to sleep every alternate day in the Chavadi. She had to take all the things out, including the Dhuni itself, and after thorough cleaning and white-washing, replace them as they were before. Feeding the poor, which was so dear to Sai Baba, was also a great item in this fair. For this purpose, cooking on a grand scale and the preparation of various sweet dishes was done in Radha-Krishna Mai’s house. Various wealthy devotees played a leading part in this process.

Transformation of the Urus into the Rama-Navami Festival

The fair was operating in this way and was gradually increasing in importance until 1912, when a change took place. That year, a devotee, Mr. Krishnarao Jageshwar Bhisma (the author of the pamphlet “Sai Sagunopasana”), came for the fair with Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti and was staying in Dixit’s Wada. While he was lying on the verandah and while Kaka Mahajani was going down with Puja materials to the Masjid, a new thought arose in his mind and he accosted the latter thus, “There is some providential arrangement in the fact that the fair is celebrated in Shirdi on the Rama-Navami day. This day is very dear to all the Hindus too. Then why not begin the Rama-Navami Festival (the celebration of the birth of Shri Rama) on this day? Kaka Mahajani liked the idea and it was arranged to get Baba’s permission in this matter. The main difficulty was finding a Haridas who would perform the Kirtan (singing songs in praise of the Lord) on the occasion. But Bhishma solved this difficulty by saying that his Rama Akhyan (composition on Rama’s birth) was ready and that he would do the Kirtan himself, while Kaka Mahajani would play the harmonium. It was also arranged to get the Sunthavada (ginger-powder mixed with sugar) as Prasad prepared by Radha-Krishna Mai. So they immediately went to the Masjid to get Baba’s permission. Baba, who was omniscient, asked Mahajani what was going on in the Wada. Mahajani could not catch the purport of the question and remained silent. Then Baba asked Bhishma what he had to say. He explained the idea of celebrating the Rama-Navami festival and asked for Baba’s permission and Baba gladly gave it. Everyone rejoiced and made preparations for the Jayanti festival. The next day, the Masjid was decorated with buntings; a cradle was supplied by Radha-Krishna Mai and placed in front of Baba’s seat and the proceedings began. Bhishma stood up for the Kirtan, while Mahajani played the harmonium. Sai Baba sent a man to call Mahajani. He was hesitant to go and doubted whether Baba would allow the festival to go on. But when he went to Baba, the latter asked him as to what was going on and why the cradle was placed there. He answered that the Rama-Navami festival had commenced and the cradle had been placed there for that purpose. Then Baba took a garland and placed it around Mahajani’s neck and sent another garland for Bhishma. Then the Kirtan commenced. When it came to a close, shouts of “Victory to Rama” were heard and Gulal (red – powder) was thrown all around. Everybody was overjoyed, when suddenly roaring was heard; The red powder, thrown promiscuously all around, went up and somehow entered Baba’s eyes. Baba got wild and began to yell loudly. Most people got frightened by this scene and took to their heels. Some intimate devotees, who knew Baba well, took this scolding as a blessing in disguise. They thought that when Rama was born, it was proper for Baba to get wild and enraged to kill Ravana and his demons (egoism and wicked thoughts). Besides, they knew that whenever a new thing was undertaken at Shirdi, it was normal for Baba to get wild and angry and so they kept quiet. Radha-Krishna Mai was rather afraid and thought that Baba might break her cradle, and she asked Mahajani to bring the cradle back. When he went to loosen and unfasten the cradle, Baba asked him not to remove it. Then after some time, Baba became calm and that day’s program, including the Mahapuja and Arati, were completed. Later on, Mahajani asked Baba for permission to remove the cradle and Baba refused, saying that the festival was not yet finished. The next day, another Kirtan and Gopal-Kala ceremony were performed and it was then that Baba allowed the cradle to be removed. In the Gopal-Kala ceremony, an earthen pot containing parched rice mixed with curd is hung, only to be broken after the Kirtan. The contents of the pot are distributed to everyone. This was done by Lord Krishna among His cowherd friends. During the Rama-Navami festival, the processions, of the two flags during the day and that of the Sandal by night, went off with the usual pomp and show. From this time onward, Baba’s Urus was transformed into the Rama-Navami festival.

From the very next year (1913), the items on the program of the Rama-Navami festival began to increase. Radha-Krishna Mai started a Nama-Saptaha (singing the glory of God’s name continuously day and night for seven days), from the 1st of Chaitra. For this, several devotees took part in turns and she also joined it, sometimes early in the morning. As the Rama-Navami Festival is celebrated in many places all over the country, the difficulty of finding a Haridas was felt again. But 5 or 6 days before the festival, Mahajani accidentally met Balabuva Mali, who was known as modern Tukaram, and got him to perform the Kirtan that year. The next year (1914), Balabuva Satarkar from Brihadsiddha Kavate, could not perform as a Haridas in his own town, as plague was raging in his town. So he came to Shirdi and with Baba’s permission, which was secured through Kakasaheb Dixit, performed the Kirtan and was sufficiently recompensed for his labor. The difficulty of getting a new Haridas every year, was finally solved in 1914; Sai Baba, entrusted this function to Das Ganu Maharaj permanently. He successfully conducted the Kirtans for several years.

Since 1912, this festival has grown gradually every year. From the 8th to the 12th of Chaitra, Shirdi looked like a bee-hive of people. Shops began to increase, celebrated wrestlers took part in wrestling bouts and feeding of the poor was done on a grander scale. The hard work and sincere efforts of Radha-Krishna Mai turned Shirdi into a Sansthan(organization). Paraphernalia increased too; a beautiful horse, a palanquin, chariot and many silver things (pots, buckets, pictures and mirrors etc.) were donated for the festival. Elephants were also sent for the procession. Though all this paraphernalia increased substantially, Sai Baba ignored all these things and maintained His simplicity. It is to be noted that both Hindus and Muslims have been working in unison during both the processions and during the entire festival. There has been no hitch or quarrel between them so far. At first, about 5000 to 7000 people used to attend, but that figure went up to 75,000 in some years and yet there has been no outbreak of any epidemic or riots worth mentioning, in all these years. This is a testament to Baba’s power to unite people of all religions.

Every year on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami festival thousands of pilgrims from all over the Country come to Shirdi with 250 to 300 Palanquins chanting Sai Naama. Apart from the three festivals of Sri Rama Navami, Sri Guru Poornima and Sri Sai Punyatithi organized by Sri Sai Baba Sansthan, Sai devotees also come to Shirdi along with Palanquins throughout the year. The honor of the first palanquin is that of “Sai Sevak Mandal” which started in 1981 under the guidance of Sai Devotee Mr. Babasaheb Shinde and started from Sainiketan Dadar, Mumbai with 43 devotees to Shirdi. About 100 to 150 palkhas come to Shirdi every year from Mumbai and suburbs alone for Sri Ram Navami festival and about 500 Palanquins come to Shirdi in a year. Apart from this, Sri Saibaba Palkhi Sohla Samiti Pune has been coming to Shirdi on every Gurupoornima festival since last 35 years. A large number of Palanquin groups come to Shirdi throughout the year from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh etc. Thus, since last few years, the Sai devotee padayatris who come along with Palanquin of Saibaba have become a centre of attraction during Sri Rama Navami festival.

To make this year's Sri Rama Navami Festival a grand success under the able guidance of ad hoc committee chairman and chief district and sessions judge Shri.Sudhakar Yarlgadda, committee member and collector Shri.Siddharam Salimath, Chief Executive Officer Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar and Deputy Chief executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulvale, all the administrative officers, Heads of all departments and all Sansthan employees are putting maximum effort.

Fifty Five Thousand Sai Devotees Partake Sabudana Kichadi Prasad At Shri Sai Prasadalaya On Maha Shivaratri Day - Courtesy: Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Press Release Dated 9th March 2024

Like every year, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan celebrated Maha Shivaratri with religious fervor. About Fifty Five Thousand Sai devotees partook Sabudana Kichadi at Shri Sai Prasadalaya.

Kakad Aarti was performed at 05.15 am. After the completion of Kakad Aarti Shri Sai Baba's Mangal Snan followed by Shirdi Majhe Pandharpur Aarti was performed at 05.50 am. After that Shri Sai Baba's darshan was started at 06.25 am. Afternoon Aarti was held at 12:00 noon. Dhoop Aarti was held at 06.15 pm. Between 07.30 pm to 08.30 pm, Sansthan Priest Shri.Ulhas Walunjkar performed Keertan programme on the Samadhi Mandir stage. Palanquin procession throughout Shirdi village at 09.15 pm. On the occasion, a large number of Sansthan Officers, Temple Priests, Sansthan Employees, Shirdi Villagers & Sai devotees participated. After the Palanquin returned to Samadhi Mandir, Shej Aarti was held at 10:45 pm. Later, Rudrabhishek Puja was performed by Sansthan Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale and his wife Smt.Jyothi Hulwale, from 12:25 am to 01:13 am ati Gurusthan Temple.

On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, about Fifty Five Thousand Sai devotees partook free Sabudana Khichdi Prasad at Sansthan's Sri Sai Prasadalaya. To prepare this, about 58 bags of Sabudana, 3865 kgs of Peanut, 970 Kgs of Ghee and 1998 kgs of Potato were used. Also, about Twenty Five Thousand Two Hundred Forty Seven breakfast packets were distributed to Sai devotees.

Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Shri. Goraksh Gadilkar Takes Sai Baba Samadhi Darshan - Courtesy :Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Press Release dated 14th February 2024 

The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Shri Saibaba Sansthan Shri. Goraksh Gadilkar had darshan of Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi along with his wife. 

On the occasion, Sansthan's outgoing Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale welcomed them. 

Later, Shri.Goraksh Gadilkar took charge as Chief Executive Officer of Shri Saibaba Sansthan.

Union Minister Of State For Social Justice & Empowerment Shri.Ramdas Athawale Visit Shirdi - Courtesy: Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Press Release Dated 5th February 2024

Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri.Ramdas Athawale visited Shirdi and had Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi darshan. On the occasion Sansthan Chief Executive Officer Shri.Thukaram Hulwale was also present.

Afer the Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri.Ramdas Athawale had Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi darshan, Sansthan Chief Executive Officer Shri.Thukaram Hulwale felicitated him.

RSS All India Liaison Head Shri.Pranav Pawar Hands Over Ayodhya Shri Rama Mandir Inauguration Invitation to Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) - Courtesy: Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Press Release Dated 11th January 2024

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) all India Liaison Head Shri.Pranav Pawar handed over Ayodhya Rama Mandir Inaguration Invitation to Sansthan Public Relations Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale on 11th January 2024 which was offered at the lotus feet of Shri Sai Baba at Shirdi Samadhi Mandir.

Bangalore Philanthropic Sai Devotee Dr.Rajaram Kota Offers Golden Crown To Shri Sai Baba - Courtesy: Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Press Release Dated 9th January 2024

Philanthropic Bangalore Sai devotee Dr.Rajaram Kota and his family members offered Golden Crown weighing 504.600 grams worth Rs.29,04,982/- (rupees Twenty Nine Lakh Four Thousand Nine Hundred and Eighty Two only) to Shri Sai Baba on Tuesday, 9th January 2024.

After the donor Dr.Rajaram Kote and his family members offered Golden Crown to Shri Sai Baba, Sansthan Chief Executive Officer Shri.Tukaram Hulwale felicitated them with a Shawl and Shri Sai Baba's Idol.

More Than 8 Lakh Sai Devotees Have Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi Darshan From 23rd December 2023 to 1st January 2024 - Courtesy: Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Press Release Dated 5th January 2024

Chief Executive Officer of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Shri.Tukaram Hulwale informed media persons through a Press Release on 5th January 2024 that more than 8 Lakh devotees had Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi Darshan and Shri Sai Baba Sansthan received Rs.15.95 Crores as donation from Sai devotees in various forms from 23rd December 2023 to 1st January 2024 during Shirdi Mahotsav which was held on account of Christmas Vacation, year end and New Year Celebrations.

Shri.Hulwale said that Rs.15,95,86,275/- was received as donation from Sai devotees in various forms from 23rd December 2023 to 1st January 2024. This includes, Rs.7,80,44,265/- through Dakhina Hundi, Rs.3,53,88,476/- through Donation Counters, Rs.4,21,40,893/- through Debit Card, Online, Cheque/DD, Money Order etc., Rs.15,55,73,634/- by way of Cash and other forms. Likewise, Sansthan also received 586.370 grams of Gold worth Rs.32,45,295/- and 13 Kg 416 grams of Silver amounting to Rs.7,67,346/- was received during the same period.

Also during this period more than 6 Lakh Sai devotees availed free prasad bhojan at Shri Sai Prasadalaya. More than 1 lakh 25 thousand Sai devotees were benefited from food packets. Along with this, 11,10,600 Laddu Prasad packets were sold and an amount of Rs.1,41,55,500 has been received. Also, 7,46,400 Sai devotees availed free Bundi Prasad packets.

Shri.Hulwale said that the donation received on behalf of Shri Saibaba Sansthan is being utilized for Shri Saibaba Hospital and Shri Sainath Hospital, Shri Sai Prasadalaya free Prasad Bhojan, various Educational Institutions run under the auspices of Sansthan, Charity for Out Patients, various activities set up for the convenience of Sai devotees and various Social Service Activities.

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