Sai Mahabhakta Late Shri.Lakshman Kacheshwar Jakadi's name finds a mention in Chapter 5 of Holy Shri Sai Satcharitra and Baba's Anurag by Vinny Chitluri.

Lakshman Kacheshwar Jakadi was addressed by Saibaba as Nanumama and hence the villagers of Shirdi also used to call him as Nanu Pujari. He came to Shirdi in 1914. He started doing Baba’s Aarti as an assistant to Bapu Sahib Jog.

He lived in Sangamnere where he had a vivid dream vision. Baba appeared before him and said, “Child are you sleeping? Come to Shirdi as there is a lot of fun there”. That very moment Ratna Parkhe who was related to him on his maternal side arrived in his village. He asked him to accompany him to Shirdi as his assistant. Nanu Mama happily accompanied him and stayed in his home for some time.

Nanu Mama earned his livelihood as a tourist guide showing pilgrims the villages surrounding Shirdi and other places of pilgrimage. But the work that he liked most was helping Jog in performing the worship of Baba. After two years of doing voluntary puja of Baba the Sansthan appointed him as the permanent priest.

A devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj by name Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar worshipped the photo of Akkalkot Maharaj. He once thought of going to Akkalkot (Sholapur District), taking the darshana of the Padukas (foot-prints) of the Maharaj and offering his sincere worship there; but before he could go there, he got a vision in his dream. Akkalkot Maharaj appeared in the vision and said to him - "Now Shirdi is my resting place, go there and offer your Worship." So Bhai changed his plan and came to Shirdi, worshipped Baba, stayed there for six months and was happy. As a reminiscence of this vision etc., he prepared the Padukas and installed them on an auspicious day of Shravan, Shaka 1834 (1912 A.D.) under the Neem tree with due ceremonies and formalities, conducted by Dada Kelkar and Upasani. One Dixit Brahmin was appointed for worship, and the management was entrusted to devotee Sagun.

Mr. B.V. Deo, Retired Mamalatdar of Thana, and a great devotee of Sai Baba, made enquired about this matter with Sagun Meru Naik and Govind Kamlakar Dixit and has published a full version of the Padukas in Sai Leela Vol. 11, No. 1, page 25. It runs as follows:

In 1834 Shaka (1912 A.D.) one Doctor Ramarao Kothare of Bombay came to Shirdi for Baba’s darshana. His compounder and his friend, Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar, accompanied him. The compounder and Bhai became intimate with Sagun Meru Naik and G.K. Dixit. While discussing things, these persons thought that there must be some memorial of the fact of Sai Baba’s first coming to Shirdi and sitting under the holy Neem tree. They thought of installing Baba’s Padukas there and were going to make them of some rough stones. Then Bhai’s friend, the compounder, suggested that if this matter be made known to his master, Dr. Ramarao Kothare, who would prepare nice Padukas for this purpose. All liked the proposal and Dr. Kothare was informed of it. He came to Shirdi and drew a plan of the Padukas. He went to Upasani Maharaj in Khandoba’s temple, and showed him his plan. The latter made many improvements, drew lotuses, flowers, conch, disc, man etc., and suggested that the following SHLOKA (verse) regarding Neem tree’s great ness and Baba’s Yogi powers be inscribed. The verse was as follows:

"Sada Nimbarvrikshasya mooladhiwasat,
Sudhasravinam tiktamapi-apriyam tam,
Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam
Namameeshwaram Sadgurum Sai Natham"

Upasani’s suggestions were accepted and carried out. The Padukas were made in Bombay and sent to Shirdi with the compounder. Baba said that they should be installed on the Poornima (15th) of Shravan. On that day at 11 a.m., G.K. Dixit brought them on his head from Khandoba’s temple to the Dwarkamai (Masjid) in procession. Baba touched the Padukas, saying "these are the feet of the Lord" and asked the people to instal them, under foot of the Neem tree.

A day before, one Parsi devotee of Bombay named Pastha Shet sent Rs.25/- by money order. Baba gave this sum for the installation of the Padukas. The total expense of installation came up to Rs.100/- out of which Rs.75/- were collected by subscriptions. For the first 5 years, G.K. Dixit worshipped the Padukas daily and then Lakshman Kacheshwar Jakhadi did this. In the first five years, Dr. Kothare sent Rs. 2 per month for lighting and he also sent the railing round the Padukas. The expense of bringing the railing from the station to Shirdi (Rs. 7-8-0) (presently Rs.7.50p) and roofing was paid by Sagun Meru Naik. Later on, Lakshman Kacheshwar Jakhadi (Nana Pujari) performed the worship and Sagun Meru Naik offered the naivaidya and lights the evening lamps.

Bhai Krishnaji was orginally a devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj. He had come to Shirdi at the installation of the Padukas, in Shaka 1834 on his way to Akkalkot. He wanted to go to Akkalkot after taking the darshana of Baba. He asked Baba’s permission for this. Baba said - "Oh, what is there in Akkalkot? Why do you go there? The incumbent Maharaj of that place is here, Myself." Hearing this Bhai did not go to Akkalkot. He came to Shirdi off and on, after the installation of the Padukas.

Lakshman Kacheshwar Jakadi's grandson Shri.Subash Jakadi now live in Hegdewar Nagar which is behind the Nagar Palika Office in Shirdi. Lakshman Kacheshwar Jakadi's wife’s sister was married into the Ratna Parkhe family so he had a place to stay. Then he shifted to a rented room in the building behind the Samadhi Mandir. His son Digambar became the next priest for performing Baba’s Aarti in the Samadhi Mandir. He bought the home that the descendants are currently living in.

(Source: Chapter 5 of Holy Shri Sai Satcharitra & Baba’s Anurag by Sai Bhakta Vinny Chitluri. Photo Courtesy: Vinny Chitluri & Shri.Jignesh C.Rajput, Surat)