Lets explore Shirdi-Baba's Daily Routine

[Guest guest]

BHIKSHA ROUTE

Bayyaji Patil says Baba took Biksha from the beginning of His stay in Shirdi

till His Mahasamadhi. "Baba would go over eight times a day for about three

years, next three years four times a day and for twelve years twice a day

and during the last twelve years once a day" (Ref. DE, p. 156). Biksha was a

must, if He did not go He sent someone in His stead e.g. Vaman Rao Patel

etc.

In 1916, Prof. G.G. Narke states that he yearned to do this service when he

went to see Baba, Baba suddenly said "Let this man go and beg for food with

that bowl today ", thus fulfilling his inner most desire (Ref. DE, p. 16).

Baba started His Biksha rounds at about 8.00 AM. He took Biksha from five

selected houses. He would place a cloth on His head which when folded would

assume the shape of a Joli. This was used for dry foods like, chapathi,

bhakri, rice etc. In His right hand He carried a tumerell for liquids.

>From the Dwarakamai Baba walked past the Chavadi and stood in between the

houses of Sakharam Shelke and Vaman Rao Gondkar. These houses are opposite

each other with a narrow lane in between. He stood at a fixed place and

called out "Oh, Lassie, give me a piece of bread". From thence He proceeded

to Bayyaji's house.

On the way there was a hillock. Baba stood there for a while and fed the

birds and dogs. In memory of this, Padukas were installed. These Padukas are

now in the wall of Narasimha Lodge. There is a tiny Mandir enclosing them.

The uniqueness of these Padukas are that they are not raised but engraved in

the stone. In between the Padukas there is a water bowl.

Bayyaji and Tatya's house are next to each other. After getting Biksha from

there He proceeded to Nandaram's house. This was the fifth and last house.

He walked past Tajim Khan Baba's Darga. It is said that He often went inside

this building and then He came to Nandaram' s house. After receiving Biksha

there He returned to the Masjid.

In the Masjid He mixed the food together and kept it in the Kolamba for any

and everyone to partake off it.

 

(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. This book can be purchased from Dr.Vinny

Chitluri 304, Bhagchand Apartments Pimpalwadi Road Shird, District

Ahmednagar, Maharastra India Pin-423 109 Phone : 91-02423 - 255835, cost

INR.70)