Lets explore Shirdi - Dwarakamai

[Guest guest]

PALKI ROOM

This room is on the right side of the main entrance of Dwarakamai. Due to

the efforts of Radhakrishna Mai, Shirdi was turned into a Sansthan. In 1912

a Palki, Rath, many silver utensils and pots were presented. Once this Palki

was left outside and some of the silver ornaments were stolen. The

distraught devotees ran to Baba and complained and Baba simply said "Why did

the thieves not take away the whole Palki ? ". So Purandhare and

Radhakrishna Aai decided to make a room for it. Purandhare dared to put up

the rafters after making five to six holes in the wall of Dwarakamai for

support and the Palki was kept there. This Palki was presented by Saddu

Bhayya Nayak of Harda.

Baba never sat in the Palki, but His photo was placed on it. Every Thursday

at 9.15 PM the Palki is brought in procession to Chavadi.

TORTOISE

This marble tortoise is in the center of a well, the black tiles surrounding

it represent the four flights of steps leading to the bottom of the well.

Numerous meanings are attached to this tortoise. (1) The tortoise is an

'avatar' of Vishnu, (2) That one should enter the place of worship like the

tortoise bowing one's head. And leaving the ego outside just as the tortoise

in a prostrate position, one should surrender everything to Baba; (3) But

most importantly the tortoise is looking at Baba and if we follow her

example and look towards Baba He will surely ]ook after us (eleven sayings

of Baba).

Baba said "Just as the tortoise feeds her young ones whether they are near

her or far away on the other side of the river by her loving looks" so, if

we look at 'Mother Sai' Baba will never forsake us. This tortoise is

worshipped with 'asthagandh' before 'Kakad Arati' and after 11.30 AM before

'Noon Arati'.

 

 

(Adopted from Ambrosia In Shirdi by Dr.Vinny Chitluri, this book can be read

at http://saileelas.org/books/ambrosiainshirdi1.htm and this book is a

virtual guide on Shirdi with

lots of rare photos on Baba)