Sai Baba the Master - By E.Bhardawaj

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APPENDIX - V

Chavadi Procession

We have noted that Sai Baba used to sleep in the musjid and the chavadi on

alternate nights. On December 10,1909, the devotees started worshipping him

at the chavadi. They even led him there in a ceremonial procession, with

all pomp and eclat. We shall note here the details of the pageant.

 

A little before it was time for Baba to start for chavadi, the devotees

gathered in the frontyard of the mosque and sang bhajans. With the small

chariot (ceremonial procession car) behind them, the tulasi stand (the

oscimum sanctum) to the right, Baba before them, the devotees gathered in

the middle spot. The young and the old played in various musical

instruments like the drum, cymbals, chiplis etc., as they sang. Some stood

at the gates of the musjid, getting the torches ready for the night

procession. Some decorated the palanquin. Some stood there, holding long

ornamental staves, now and then loudly hailing, “Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki

Jai” . Rows of oil lamps burned bright on the walls of the masjid. The

whole mosque and its premises were decorated with garlands, leaves, flowers

and coloured paper. Outside it stood the well-decked horse, Shyama Karna

(Moslem devotees called it Shamsuddin).

 

A little before the moment of Baba’s departure arrived, Tatya, along with

several other devotees, came to Baba and told him to get ready for the

procession to the chavadi. Till Tatya himself saw him again and helped him

to stand up by lifting him by the arms, Baba sat in wait. Tatya lovingly

addressed Sai as ‘mama’ or uncle. Indeed, so cordial and intimate was

their relationship. At last, when Tatya came again and helped him to stand

up, Baba took his small staff(sathka), clay smoking-pipe and tobacco in

hand, put a small piece of cloth on his shoulder and got ready to start for

the chavadi. Tatya then placed a shawl with golden embroidery over his

shoulders. Baba then took a step forward, adjusted the fuel in the dhuni

with his right foot, put out the oil lamp with his right hand and started

from the mosque. At once the devotees played on drums and pipes in the most

majestic manner. Crackers were exploded and missiles fired into the air

which left a beautiful display of colours in the sky. The devotees started

moving on while chanting Baba’s holy name to the accompaniment of rapturous

music. Some of the devotees even danced in ecstasy. Some of them carried

flags and standards. The devotees loudly proclaimed his name with one

voice. They stood in two rows on either side of Baba’s path. Some of them

fanned him with chamaris (tufts of chamar tails), while others spread a

cloth along his path. As devotees held his arms, Baba slowly walked over

the cloth. Tatya held Baba’s left hand and Mahalsapathy held his right.

Bapusaheb Jog usually held the ceremonial umbrella over his head. The well

caprisoned horse walled ahead of him. Behind him followed the devotees,

attendants and the band of musicians.

 

The chanting of the divine name of Hari interspersed with loud

proclamation of Baba’ name. In this manner, the procession reached the

turning at the mosque. Sai Baba used to stand there, facing the mosque. His

form wore an unearthly (divine) halo around it. His face looked radiant

like the rising sun. As he gazed intently towards the north, it looked as

though he was inviting some invisible forces mentally. As the musicians

played on the instruments, Baba used to wave his right arm up and down

several times. Kaka Saheb used to fetch a red powder called gulal and,

mixing it with flowers, used to sprinkle them on Baba. The devotees seemed

to drink his heavenly appearance with their eyes. Late Sri Hemadpanth who

witnessed the scene remarks :- “Words fail to describe the scene and the

splendour of this occasion”.

 

(ii) Other Celebrations

Moslem devotees of Baba once commenced the annual festival, in honour of

the ‘moslem fakir’ called urs. After sometime, Hindu devotees commenced the

celebration of Ramanavami. As though in accordance with Baba’s mission, the

day coincided with the urs. Henceforth, devotees of the two

communities have been celebrating the two festivals on the same day, in

perfect harmony.

 

After the mahasamadhi of Baba, Vijayadasami has come to be the most

important festival at Shirdi, as the anniversary of the supreme event. As

many devotees believe that Baba is the most complete avatar of Lord

Dattatreya, the ancient traditional festival of Dattajayathi, the

anniversary of the divine descent has also come to be the fourth important

celebration. Gradually, all festive occasions of Sai devotees of all

religions have been occasions of large festive congregations.

 

(Source : http://www.saibharadwaja.org)