Sairam friends,
Shirdi Saibaba lived in Shirdi for more than 60 years. He was not roaming in forest or meditating in mountains like other saints of ancient India but he followed the rule laid for saints.
Saints are not supposed to stay in one place for more than one night as a philosophical indication that nothing is permanent in life.
So Sai used to stay one day in holy Masjid – Dwarakamai and the other day in Chavadi. After 1910, Devotees of Saibaba used to organize Sai’s walk from Dwarakamai to Chavadi as an auspicious event. The Chavadi Procession is described beautifully in Chapter 37, Sai Satcharitra.
May you be blessed with darshan of Sai’s radiant face – Photo used with courtesy
Today (Feb 6th 2015) being Holy festival, I remember the glory of Sai during the Chavadi procession.
Sai used to stop opposite to the Maruti temple in between Dwarakamai and Chavadi. Sai has a huge love and respect on Lord Hanuman. Sai will be shaking his hand up and down in sync with the music being played by devotees.
A devotee would throw Gulal powder (Holy powder) over Sai’s face. During this time, Sai’s holy face will be shining and glittering vibrantly in shades of Pink and Red color. Devotees consider this darshan of Saibaba as the most auspicious one.
I could imagine how ardent Sai devotees would have celebrated holy with Saibaba himself every alternative day. What a gift is it? They would have enjoyed Sai’s darshan in several colors. Let us keep chanting Sai’s holy mantra or simply Sai, Sai, Sai in our mind remembering the radiance of Shirdi Saibaba during Chavadi Procession.
Sai blessings,
Venkat
Little Servant of Shirdi Saibaba
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai. Anantha Kodi Brahmanda Nayaga Rajathi Raja Yogi Raja Para Brahma Sri Satchidananda Satguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Aum Sairam… yes Happy holi to Sainath … In the temple near my place they applied color to the cheeks of Sai Baba to Mark holi…
Aum Sairam
Jai Sairam! The description of Chavdi procession in Sai Satcharita is one of my favorites chapters. I often imagine that I was blessed enough to have been there and witnessed such a joyous/auspicious event. I often picture that I was a little girl that lived in Shirdi during the time that Sai lived there. Although I know that it is very unlikely, it’s a nice feeling to think like that. Jai Sairam!