Shirdi Important Celebrations

[Guest guest]

Shirdi Important Celebrations

 

--

 

RAM NAVMI

 

 

Ram Navami (Birthday of Lord Ram the Incarnation)

celebrations were started with Baba’s permission in

Dwarkamai mosque in the year 1898. Devotees regarded

this auspicious day as the birthday of Lord Sai alike

Lord Ram, an incarnation. The celebrations continue

for three days. On the first day a procession is taken

out with Baba’s photo and Sai Satcharitra (The life

history of Baba written by Shri Hemadpant in Marathi).

On the same day the Palki procession goes round the

village of Shirdi. On the main day (Ramnavami)

Godavari (Baba used to call it ‘Ganga’ ) water is

brought in Kawads and this water is used for Baba’s

Mangal snan (Holy bath). In the evening on the main

day chariot procession is taken out going round the

village with much fervour and devotion. The temple is

open for the whole night for darshan on the main day.

Various devotional programmes are conducted on this

occasion for all the three days.

 

 

--

 

GURU PURNIMA

 

 

Guru-purnima festival was started with Baba’s

permission during his time. This day is marked for

offering worship to one’s spiritual Master with

reverence and love. It falls on the full moon day of

the Hindu month ‘Ashaad ' (July-August). The

celebrations continue for three days. The temple is

open for the whole night for darshan on main day.

Various devotional programmes are conducted on this

occasion for all the three days.

 

 

--

 

VIJAYA DASHAMI (DUSSEHRA)

 

 

Vijaya Dashmi (Dussehra) festival is celebrated as

Baba’s Maha Samadhi day. The day Baba left his

physical body . After the Maha Samadhi of Baba, Vijaya

Dashmi or ‘Dussehra’ has come to be the most important

festival at Shirdi as the anniversary of the Supreme

event – Shri Sai Baba’s Mahasamadhi. The celebrations

continue for three days. The temple is open for the

whole night for darshan on main day. Various

devotional programmes are conducted on this occasion

for all the three days.

 

 

--

 

DATTA JAYANTI

 

 

Baba is known as the full incarnation of Lord

Dattatreya, therefore the traditional festival of

‘Dattajayanti’ (the anniversary of Divine descent of

Lord Dattatreya) has become another important

celebration in Shirdi.

 

 

--

 

KARTHIK EKADASHI

 

 

Ekadashi (Shuddh) is the 11th day of the bright half

of the month. The devotees of Lord Vishnu observe this

day with much devotion and austerity. On two occasions

of Ekadashi days (Kartik and Ashaad) the Palki

procession takes place with Vitthal's image along with

Baba.

 

 

--

 

MAHA SHIVRATRI

 

 

Maha Shivratri, is a night of spiritual congregation.

The devotees of Lord Shiva celebrate it with much

fervour and devotion. On the occasions of Shivratri

the Palki procession takes place with Lord Shiva's

image along with Baba.

 

 

--

 

GOKUL ASHTAMI

 

 

Gokul Ashtmi is celebrated to mark the auspicious day

of the birth of Lord Krishna, an Incarnation.