Lets explore Shirdi-Festivals in Shirdi

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FESTIVALS IN SHIRDI

All the festivals are .celebrated in Shirdi, but the three important

festivals are, Ramanavami, Gurupurnima and Vijayadashami. These are

celebrated with great pomp and show. Each is a three-day event and the

temples are decorated beautifully with lights, shamianas and look like

heaven. In the evenings there are cultural programmes and bhajans by famous

artists.

First Day Event:

1. Akhand Parayan reading: A day before the devotees may submit their

names for Adhyay reading. After Evening Arati the names are drawn by

lottery. These names are announced through the mike and the chapters are

allotted. Thus 53 chapters are allotted with a standby list of five names.

'Name lists' are pasted at various places for the convenience of devotees.

After Kakad Arati Baba's photo and 'the Pothi' is brought in procession from

Samadhi Mandir via: Gurusthan to the Dwarakamai. The Chopdars surpass

themselves giving Lalkari at the above temples. In the Dwarakamai the photo

is placed in the 'silver mandap' specially made for this occasion, along

with the Pothi, After Laghu (small Arati) the reading begins. Since it is

Akhand Parayan the Dwarakamai is opened throughout the night. Next morning

the Parayan is completed. Again with music and Bhajans the Pothi and the

Baba's photo is taken back to the Samadhi Mandir.

2 Palki Procession: The Palki is taken in procession through the

village at 8.45 PM. Upon its return to Samadhi Mandir Sej Arati is

performed.

Second Day:

This is the main Utsav for each festival. Rath procession through the

village.

No Sej Arati (night arati),

Samadhi Mandir is kept open the whole night.

Third Day: No Kakad arati.

Gopal Kala: Hari Kirtan is started in the morning ending with Gopal Kirtan.

Go^al Kala signifies the end of the festival and ceremonies. A beautifully

decorated 'Dhai Handi' is hung in the Samadhi Mandir. The honour of breaking

it is given to Tatya's descendants. The contents are distributed to the

devotees as Prasad. After Gopal Kala there is Noon Arati.

 

(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)