Lets explore Shirdi - Dwarakamai

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DWARAKAMAI

VIEW OF OUTER PAVILION OR SABHAMANDAP: (1911) EXTENSION OF DWARAKAMAI

Gopal Gund who started the Urs thought that he should repair the Masjid. But

that job was for Nana Chandorkar, and the pavement work for Dixit.

Permission at first was not granted, but, on the intervention of

Mahalsapathi, it was granted. Dixit wanted to extend the space in front of

the Masjid so that the devotees could use it. He got the material and at

night did the work while Baba slept in the Chavadi. But the next morning

Baba came and uprooted everything. In 1911 this Sabha Mandap was put in

order with great efforts (Ref. ESS, Ch.VI).

An incident is mentioned, how Baba caught hold of one post with one hand and

Tatya's neck with the other hand and shook both. Then taking Tatya's pheta

He burnt it offering one rupee from His pocket. Seeing this strange

behaviour none dared to intervene. After cooling down He brought one

beautiful embroidered pheta and Himself tied it on Tatya's head. As if Tatya

was being given a special honour. (Ref. ESS, Ch.VI).

After this incident Baba allowed the work to go on smoothly and thus the

devotees had a place for worshipping Baba. The pavilion is still there where

the devotees can see, and participate in the worship of Baba and also touch

the sacred articles used by Baba.

THE BELL

This bell tied above, and to the left of the entrance of Dwarakamai

pavilion was tied by Baba. It rings only three times a day, at 4.00 AM,

11.30 AM and 8.30 PM. It is rung by the Pujari of Dwarakamai, calling the

devout people for Arati. If it is rung untimely, it signals an untoward

incident has taken place somewhere in the village. The people will assemble

in the pavilion, and then go to the place of the calamity and set it right.

This practice is still going on; hence its gong is tied to the grill.

Mention is made in English Sai Satcharitra Ch. XVII and XIX. When Baba sent

Dhabolkar to Shyama's house to get Rs.15/- Dakshina, and sit and chit chat

with him, Shyama told him the story of Radhabai Deshmukh, and the two paise

of Dakshina meaning 'Sraddha and Saburi'. Just as Shyama finished the story,

the bell of the Masjid started to ring proclaiming that the noon worship and

the Arati had begun and both hurried to the Masjid.

 

 

(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)