Lets explore Shirdi-(The Festival of Rama's Birth)

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RAMANAVAMI (THE FESTIVAL OF RAMA'S BIRTH)

In Chaitra Maas Ramanavami is celebrated. It was in 1911 that Ramanavami was

first celebrated in Shirdi. The idea originated from the Urs. It was K.G.

Bhishm who conceived of this idea and consulted Kaka Mahajani who readily

agreed. Both of them went to Baba and sought Permission, Baba gave His

consent. Since then Ramanavami is celebrated on a grand scale.

first Day: Akhand Parayan and Palki procession.

Second Day: The main Utsav commences.

05.15 Kakad Arati

06.00 AM Completion of Akhand Parayan

06.05 AM Mangal Snan (Holy Bath). The villagers and devotees go to the

Godavari (Kopergoan) and bring water for Baba's Holy Bath. The 'Kavadis' or

water bearers are allowed to wash the Samadhi and Baba's Padukas.

08.00 to 09.00 AM Changing the sack of wheat: The sack of wheat is brought

in procession from Samadhi Mandir to Dwarakamai. The old sack is taken to

Prasadalay and the new sack is placed in the Almirah. This tradition was

started by Balaji Newaskar. Now trfb Sansthan performs this ceremony.

12.00 Noon Rama's birth: A cradle is placed in Samadhi Mandir signifying

Rama's Birth. Radhakrishna Mai gave a cradle when the first time Ramanavami

was celebrated in Shirdi and the tradition continues.

12.30 Noon Afternoon Arati.

02.00 to 04.00 PM Changing of the Flags: The Sansthan Supplies the ochre

(gheru) Flags while the descendants of Damu Anna supply the embroidered

flag. Nimonkar's descendants supply the green flags. At about 02.00 PM the

gheru flags are brought in a procession from Samadhi Mandir lo the open area

adjacent to Pilaji Gurav's house. The green

and embroidered flags are fixed on a long pole and brought from Tukaram

Sutar's house to this place. After Lalkari Laghu Arati is done. Then the

flags are taken in procession to the village with much dancing and merriment

to Dwarakamai. The gheru flags are hoisted on the southern wall inside the

Dwarakamai while the other two are hoisted on the roof.

09.00 to Sandal Procession: The descendants of Abdul

10.00PM Baba perform this tradition. A Thali with sandal and incense

are taken in procession around the village to Abdul Baba's Samadhi thence to

the Dwarakamai. The contents are pasted on the Nimbar with bare hands.

08.45 to Rath Procession

1 1 .00 PM There is no Sej Arati as Samadhi Mandir is kept

open for whole night for Darshan.

10.00PM Bhajan Programme: The devotees may onwards participate

in this programme and it joyfully goes on till the wee hours of the next

day.

Third Day: There is no Kakad Arati. Gopal Kala.

 

(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)