Lets explore Shirdi - Chavadi

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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)

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WHEEL CHAIR

In 1886 Baba made an attempt to cross the borderline. He suffered from a

severe attack of Asthama, and to get rid of it He took samadhi for 72 hours.

Mahalsapathi guarded His body well (Ref. ESS, Ch. XLIV). Baba coughed off

and on. This chair was presented by a devotee, for Baba to use, and move

about in His old age. However, Baba moved freely and occasionally with the

help of His devotees. Baba did touch this chair, and kept it, but never made

use of it. This chair is placed on the north-western corner of the Chavadi.

 

GLASS LAMP SHADES (GLOBES)

Radhakrishna Ayi was a young widow from Pandharpur who came and stayed in

Shirdi. She loved Baba and wanted Him to have a royal sansthan service. She

tirelessly worked to this end and, often asked rich devotees to bring

beautiful things for Baba (her Vittal). Kaka Mahajani on the advice of

Radhakrishna Mai brought these glass globes for Baba's lamps. Govardhan Das

brought silk curtains, and new dresses for the volunteers who carry the

umbrella and chamars Shirdi Diary, p. 30).

 

(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)