Lets explore Shirdi - Dwarakamai

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DWARAKAMAI

FLAGS OF DWARAKAMAI

Gopal Rao Gund who started the Urs (Ramanavami celebrations) in Shirdi,

asked his friend Damu Anna to supply a flag for the occasion. He also

induced Nana Saheb Nimonkar to supply another embroidered flag. Both these

flags were taken in procession, and fixed atop the roof of Dwarakamai. This

tradition is still being carried out by their descendants (Ref. ESS, Ch.

VI).

The three carpenter brothers Kondaji, Gabaji and Tukaram, provided the

greatest help in the repairs of the Masjid. After the construction, the

management of the Masjid continued with them for many years. Upto the

Mahasamadhi of Sai Baba the sweeping of the Masjid, cleaning of Baba's

utensils, the heating of water, and serving the same to Baba for washing His

mouth and face, was done by Tukaram. Baba would not allow this to be done by

anybody else. Even now the flags brought by the descendants of Damu Anna and

Nimonkar are first placed on the Samadhi. Arati is performed, then taken to

the home of Tukaram by the Sansthan. Again Arati is done, the flags are

hoisted on the staff (pole) prepared by the descendants of the three

brothers. Then with great joy and ceremony it is taken in procession

throughout the village and hoisted on the roof of the Dwarakamai (Ref. SSBS

by Pradhan).

The gheru flags on the southern wall of Dwarakamai are provided by the

Sansthan.

 

RED SMALL PILLAR:

In front of the Chulli is this sacred pillar. Baba used to sit in front of

the Chulli while cooking, and rested His back

against this pillar. Once when Nana Saheb Dengle wanted to do formal worship

to Baba, Baba refused and asked him to do the ritual to this pillar. Every

morning the Pujari of Dwarakamai applies Asthagandh to this pillar.

The unique feature of this pillar is, that if anyone who has pain in the

back or joints, leans against it, the pain abates.

Whenever Baba went out of the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Dwarakamai He made

Pradakshina of this pillar. So also when He returned. One can do the same

and utilise the favour of the pillar.

THREE STEPS IN FRONT OF THE PILLAR

These three steps on the southern side of the Dwarakamai, were used by Baba

to go out and come into the Sanctum Sanctorum. Devotees are requested to

offer namaskar to the above steps as Baba used them.

 

 

(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)