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Chavadi (Palki) Procession of Sai Baba in Shirdi
Group of people moving along in an orderly succession in a ceremonious manner is called as Procession. Procession is the act of moving forward (as toward a goal).
One such procession which is so dear to the devotees of Sai is Chavadi Procession of Baba Sai which started on 10th Day of December in 1909. Baba started sleeping in Chavadi during the last decade of his life. One day when it rained heavily and water started coming through the leaky walls of the mosque, Baba was requested to leave the Masjid which is known as Baba’s Dwarkamai.
Though he never wanted to leave that place but on regular requests of his devotees, he agreed and slept in Chavadi. Since then, routine of sleeping in Chavadi every alternate night started.
Devotees used to take Sai from Dwarkamai to Chavadi with full pomp and show. Taking musical instruments in their hands and doing keertans on the way, Bhaktas used to follow procession. What to talk about their love which cannot be measured.
Leaving all their routine duties, they used to gather and start singing in praise of Lord Sai who was God to them. Though we, the devotees of Sai had no chances to see Baba’s Palki procession before 1918 but if we go to Shirdi, then we can experience the same joy and happiness which we look for. Though Sai left his mortal coil in 1918 but is still there with us each and every moment, loving us and caring for our welfare.
Baba used to get up from his seat with the help of Tatya Kote Patil, an intimate devotee who called Baba as Mama (Maternal Uncle) and then proceed for Chavadi. Even today when Baba has left his earthly body, same sort of procession is carried out every Thursday. Generations of Tatya and Baya Ji take part in Palki procession.
The ‘Palki’ procession starts from Samadhi Mandir (where Baba’s body is resting) carrying Paduka & Baba’s portrait under a big umbrella proceeds to Dwarkamai and then it moves to Chavadi. Priest of Samadhi Mandir hand over Baba’s portrait to Viju Bhai and Padukas to Gopinath Bhai (grandsons of Tatya Kote Patil & Bayaji respectively). Baba’s portrait and Padukas are then kept in a Palki and only after the signal of Viju Bhai, palki is taken on the shoulders and moved ahead in the same way as Baba used to get up only after Tatya’s request.
With accompaniment of music, band and other sort of music instruments, procession move towards Chavadi and Baba’s devotee Viju prepare the Chillim which was done by another staunch devotee Shama when Baba was in body. Chillim is then offered to Baba in the Chavadi and after all rituals of offering flowers, scent and Itr, Baba’s night Aarti is performed.
It is a special sight for Baba’s devotees to watch the Palki procession live and so only they gather in numbers on Thursday’s. If one go to blessed land “Shirdi”, then one can find Baba answering prayers as he use to do when he was embodied. May Sai be ever enthroned in the hearts of all. Sai Ram !!!!
– Parul Taneja
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