Lets explore Shirdi - Dwarakamai

[Guest guest]

CHARIOT (RATH) ROOM:

This room is on the left side, of the main entrance to Dwarakamai. The old

chariot used to be kept in it, which was presented by Avasthi and Rege. The

first procession was taken

 

on Gurupurnima, 1918, when Baba reluctantly agreed to the procession, but

never sat in it. On festival days the Rath is taken in procession around the

village.

Sivanesan Swami, an ardent devotee of Baba, who with His tireless efforts

cleaned and beautified the Dwarakamai, was allotted this room by the

Sansthan. Now this room is used for storing Udi, and the chariot has been

moved to the 'extension of Samadhi Mandir'.

DHUNI MAA:

The everlasting Dhuni lit by Baba Himself more than 140 years ago, is still

burning. The word 'Dhuni' possibly comes from the root word 'Dhun' meaning

'to kindle or waft'. Even during the cholera epidemic, the Panchayats

ordained 'no fuel cart should be allowed to come in the village'. Baba went

to the fuel cart and bought wood for His Dhuni. Like an Agnihotri, keeping

His sacred fire alive, throughout His life Baba kept this Dhuni 'ever1

burning all day and night (Ref. ESS, XXIII).

When Baba slept in the Chavadi, Radhakrishna Aai cleaned, and whitewashed

the Masjid. She had to take out all the things including the Dhuni and

replace it as it was (Ref. ESS, Ch. VI).

At first Baba practised medicine and became famous as a Hakim. Later He

stopped giving medicines, but gave Udi instead.

Baba's all omnipresence and mercy saved the blacksmith's child from a

horrible death in the furnace. On Shyama's concern, and questioning Baba

replied "When the child slipped into the furnace, I immediately thrust my

hand and saved the child. I do not mind my arm being burnt, but I am glad

that the life of the child is saved". What intense mercy and love for His

Bhaktas! This incident bestowed Baba's favour on Bhagoji Shinde, who daily

massaged and bandaged it till Baba's Mahasamadhi (Ref. ESS, Ch. VII).

Every morning Baba sat in front of this Dhuni. He seemed to be offering into

the Dhuni oblations of the ego, desires, and all thoughts. 'Allah Mallik',

'Allah Mallik' He softly said (Ref. ESS, Ch.V).

Sitting by the Dhuni Baba often spoke of the distant places He went to

overnight and what He had done. Those who slept by His side the whole night

at the Dwarakamai knew that His physical body was in Shirdi. But these

statements were occasionally verified and found to be true by Prof. Narke

and also others (Ref. DE).

Devotees may offer wood, gowri, ghee, nav dhanya and five types of wood to

this sacred Dhuni. The Dhuni Puja is done daily between 11.30 AM and 12.00

noon by the Sansthan. Eleven coconuts, wood, gowri are offered at this time.

This Vaishva (Agni) Puja is done with Anna Ahuti, as was done by Shagun Meru

upon Baba's instructions.

(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)