Devotees participating in Sai Baba Palki at Aurora during his Mahasamadhi day
CHICAGO: Shri Sai Baba Punyatithi – 92nd MahaSamadhi day – was observed at Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Chicago in Aurora on auspicious Vijaya Dasami – Dussehra with utmost devotion. This also happened to be the ninth day in the ninth month of Islamic calendar.
Baba left his mortal coil October 15, 1918. Two years before this, in 1916, Baba gave an indication of his passing away. On Vijaya Dasami day Baba got into wild rage in the evening when people were returning from ‘Seemollanghan’ (crossing the border or limits of the village).
Taking off his head-dress, kafni and langota etc, he tore them and threw them in the Dhuni, the Eternal Fire. Fed by this offering, the fire began to burn brighter and Baba shone still brighter. He stood there stark naked and with his burning red eyes shouted – “You fellows, now have a look and decide finally whether I am a Moslem or a Hindu.”
Everybody was trembling with fear and none dared to approach Baba. After some time Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee of Baba, went boldly near him and succeeded in tying a langota (waist-band) round his waist and said -”Baba, what is all this? Today is the Seemollanghan, i.e., Dussehra Holiday.” Baba striking the ground with his satka said -”This is my Seemollanghan (crossing the border).”
Navratri Puja/Maha Samadhi celebrations started at the mandir on October 8. Sai Baba was worshipped as Mother Goddess each day during Navaratri in the from of Brahmi, Maheshwari, Gayatri, Vaishnavi, Bala Tripura Sundari, Lalita Trpura Sundari, Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati and Chamundi. Havan was performed in the morning followed by Samoohika Sahasra Naama Kumkuma archana in the evenings. On the Maha Samadhi/Sri Sai Baba’s Punyaththi day, the morning program started with Kakada Aarati followed by Shakti Havan.
After Purnahuti, devotees got the rare opportunity to go up to the altar and offer the ‘Jal’ at the holy feet of Baba as a part of Astotra Kalasa Abhishek along with their family members. Baba was decorated with all the gaiety fit for the Master of the Universe and Archana was performed. The session concluded with Madhyahna Aarati followed by distribution of Teerth Prasad and Maha Prasad.
The evening session started with Sri Satcharitra parayan followed by Dhoop Arati, Palki Seva, Bhiksha Jholi and Seemollanghan. Baba was taken around the Mandir premises in the majestic Palki decorated with flower garlands amidst joyful singing of bhajans and dancing.
Bhiksha Jholi was organized during the Palki Seva. Jholi is a cloth bag that is usually hung from the shoulder by those who go for begging in India. It is a well known fact that Shri Sai Baba lived on alms collected from five houses daily in Shirdi. The program concluded with Shej Aarati and Maha Prasad.
S Surubotla
