Guest guest Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 CHAVADI Chavadi means 'meeting place of the villagers'. There are two Chavadis in Shirdi one south facing and the other north facing, this is now the Nagar Palika reading room. Baba at first stayed and slept, in the Masjid. Then He started sleeping on alternate days in the south facing Chavadi. This on account of terrible storm with strong wind and rain. Baba's devotees lovingly entreated Him to go and sleep in the Chavadi, as the Masjid being old and dilapidated, might not withstand the storm. At first Baba refused, but later He assented. Hence He stuck to this routine and so every alternate day He slept in this Chavadi (Ref. ESS, Ch. XXXIII). On entering this south facing Chavadi, one can see a plaque on which is written "Shri Sai Nath Babanchi Lakshmi Bai Damodar Babre, Chinchanikar Chavadi, Saka 1859". Damodar Babre came from the village Chinchani (Thana district). Hence, every one called him Anna Chinchanikar. He and his wife came and lived in Shirdi, and were devoted to Baba. For many years they did nishkama seva (selfless service) not expecting or asking anything from Baba. One day Shyama asked Baba why He had not blessed this couple with a son? Other devotees were blessed and their wishes were fulfilled. Baba smiled and said "Has it happened so, that whenever anybody has asked me for any thing, I have not given to him "? Baba being Antaryami saw that the son, would only continue the name of Anna for one generation. While Baba wanted Anna's name to last for a very, very, long time. A civil suit regarding his fields was then in progress at Dhanu. Anna time and again asked Baba about the outcome. Baba always used to say "Allah Bhala Karega". A famous lawyer, Achyut Narayan Khare, was handling his case. Once someone wrote to Anna saying that he had lost the case. Anna ran to Kaka Dixit and informed him, so, both of them came to Baba at Dwarakamai. As they were entering the Dwarakamai, Baba shouted "This old man has no faith in Me, throw away that letter". Later the lawyer informed him that he had won the case and Rs. 1,8007- along with the court costs was awarded to him. Anna and Kaka went to Baba with the letter in hand. Baba simply said "Have you got faith in Me now?" Anna placed the letter at Baba's feet and said "Baba this is all yours, I do not want it". Baba refused to accept the money saying that He was a Fakir. Anna begged Baba to accept it. This conversation went on for some time. Ultimately Kaka suggested that the sum could be used to repair the Chavadi, and it should be named after Anna and his wife Lakshmi Bai. (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) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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