This is about a century ago. At that time, Kopargaon had a government official as Gopalrao Gund. They had no children. Later, with Saibaba’s prasad, he became Putra Ratna. He became a devoted devotee of Baba. Once it came to Gopal Rao’s mind that a Yatra or Urus should be held every year in Shirdi village. The village chiefs like Tatya Patil Kote, Ramchandra Dada Kote and Madhavrao Deshpande liked his idea and started preparations. But for that it was necessary to take the permission of the District Collector. But due to the opposition of some persons, the Collector ordered that the Yatra should not be held. But Baba wanted to complete the journey. So blessed was his permission. So the villagers also provided picha. They tried their hardest and the officers reversed the order and kept everyone’s dignity. Since then (May 1819, year 1897) with the consent of Baba, the practice of pilgrimage on the day of Sri Rama Navami was started. Tatya Patil began to see the arrangements for the pilgrimage. On the day of Sri Rama Navami, the Yatra began to be adorned with bhajan-poojan ceremonies, round-the-clock vajantriyas. Every year on the occasion of Yatra two new Nishans were brought and tied to the top of the Masjid (Vdarkamai) before the ceremony. One of them belonged to Nanasaheb Nimonkar and the other belonged to Damusheth Kasar (Rasne) of Nagar (who had become Putra Ratna by Baba’s grace). Another feature of this festival is that a sandal procession takes place in this festival to signify Hindu-Muslim unity. The procession starts from the hut of Baba’s devotee Abdul Baba. Sai devotees of all religions take part in this procession.
Rama Navami – The original idea was that of Bhishma.
In Shaka 1833 (AD 1911), Sri Rama Navami was first born to Urusa and since then the practice has continued uninterruptedly. Until then, only Urus used to fill in large quantities. The original idea of Ramnavami came from the famous Sai devotee Krishna Jageshwar Bhishma. Once Bhishma was sitting peacefully in the palace and uncle Mahajani was about to go to the mosque with the puja materials. Kaka had arrived in Shirdi a day before for the festival to participate in the Urus. Bhishma asked him, “I have a good idea in my mind. can you help me Urus is held here every year. It is the day of Ram Janma. Then the opportunity to edit Ram Janmatsav came unexpectedly.” Uncle Mahajani liked this idea and said, “Take Baba’s nod. Everything is at their command. I am not late for work. But celebration requires kirtan. Where can one find village hardas (kirtan singers)?” Bhishma said, “I will do the kirtan, you hold the tune of the box. Radhakrishnamai will prepare Sunthavada on time. Come on Baba, if you delay auspicious work, some problem arises. When auspicious work is added with haste, it is accomplished by hand. Saying “Let’s go now”, both of them immediately went to the mosque. As soon as he started the puja, Baba asked, “What was going on in the palace?” But he didn’t think to tell his uncle. Then immediately Baba asked the same question to Bhishma on the second time why! What was Dad saying?” Then the uncle remembered and told the intention he had in mind. Baba’s mind liked that thought and decided to celebrate.
Baba allowed not to give up.
The next morning, seeing Baba had gone to Lendi, he built a cradle in the auditorium and performed the kirtan of Ramjanma. At the same time the audience gathered on time, Baba returned. Uncle sat next to Peti. Meanwhile Baba sent to call him. Baba is calling you. As soon as he heard these words, uncle’s stomach sank. Manat said, “I don’t know what happened. If the story is not to be spoiled, the kirtan was done without a hitch!” Uncle walked forward and looked back and started climbing the steps of the Bhit Bhit Masjid. Uncle was very worried. Baba started asking him, “What is this crib built here for?” Uncle explained the meaning of the story and the plan of the celebration and Baba was happy to hear it. Then Baba took a beautiful necklace from the nearby Nimbar (niche) and put it around the uncle’s neck and also gave one to Bhishma. A great deal of concern arose when the question of observance was asked. But when the necklace fell on the neck, everyone’s worries disappeared.
As Bhishma was already well-versed and well-versed in various vidyas, the kirtans became juicy. Seeing the happiness on Baba’s face and realizing this approval, the celebration was completed with kirtan bhajan. At the time of Rama’s birth, Baba’s eyes fell and it was as if Baba appeared in the form of Narasimha instead of Sri Rama in Kausalya’s temple. Gulala was just an excuse. He was the zeal of Ramjanma. Baba suddenly got angry. The cursing began. Radhakrishnamai was disturbed as the cradle would break into pieces. They wondered how he would stay safe. “Leave it, leave it, leave it quickly,” Kaka moved forward to release the cradle. That father got very angry and ran to his uncle. Then leaving the cradle remained in place and Baba also calmed down. Later in the afternoon, when he asked for the command, Baba said in surprise, how can you leave the cradle now? It is still needed! Saibaba’s words may not be wrong or without reason, after thinking that the festival was not over until the festival took place, but the festival should not be said to be over until the second day dawns and Gopalaka falls. Thus on the next day, Baba ordered the cowherd to leave the cradle after Kirtan.
Eternal kirtanavrtti to Dasganu
The next year there was no Bhishma. So Balabuwa wanted to bring Satarkar for kirtana. But they had to go to Kauthe in Sangli district as it was the varshasan (annual appointment) of Ram Navami festival, so Kaka Mahajani brought a devotee named Balabuva (popularly known as “Arvachin Tuka”) and celebrated the festival. If they had not received this, uncle Mahajani would have stood for the kirtana. As soon as Dasganu recited the story of Ramnavami to them. But the fact that Balabuwa Satarkar came to Shirdi in the third year is very interesting. Balabuwa himself was a Hardas. In Sangli district there is a shrine called Bi-Haad Siddha Kauthe. The kirtana of Ramnavami there was an annual appointment for Balabuva. Balabubu was associated with the two annual festivals of Ashadhi Ekadashi and Ram Navami. For these two festivals, fathers used to get 30 rupees bidagi. But that year there was an epidemic in Kauthe village and the villagers faced a difficult situation. Ramnavami was over and from there Buu got a letter saying that he should come next year. The village itself is empty. In summary Rama’s service is missed. Bidagi also stayed in place. And got a chance to go to Shirdi.
Balabuva met Dixit. Dixit is a devotee of Baba. Thinking that if he brought it to his mind, his desire to go to Shirdi would be fulfilled and both selfishness and altruism would be achieved, he said to the Dikshitas, “This year our year has remained. Then one wants to have Baba’s darshan and perform kirtan there.” Dixit said, “Not sure about Bidagi. It is up to the father to give or not to give. His consent is also required for kirtan.” While he was talking, uncle Mahajani came unexpectedly. At that time he had come from Shirdi. He gave Shirdi Prasad and Udi to everyone and went home. The parents thought this was an auspicious omen. Dixit further said to Balabubu with great love, “I am asking for Baba’s consent and I will definitely let you know when I get it. Come to Shirdi as soon as the letter arrives.” Later, after Baba’s approval, Balabuwa came to Shirdi. Baba’s darshan happened as he wished. Sai Baba also performed the Ram Navami festival in front of him with great love and appreciation from the parents. Baba allowed the parents to pay 150 rupees bidagi. Balabuwa was happy to achieve five years of Kavtha in one celebration. One day after 1913, when Dasganu came to Shirdi, Dikshit requested Baba to make the annual festival permanent. Since then till today the festival is celebrated with the chanting of Sainama, various programs and kirtans in the Dasganu tradition.
Every year on the occasion of Sri Ram Navami festival thousands of pilgrims from all over the country take around 250 to 300 palanquins and visit Shirdi to the sound of Sai Bhakta Sainama. Apart from the three festivals of Sri Rama Navami, Sri Guru Poornima and Sri Punyatithi organized by Sri Sai Baba Sansthan, Sai devotees reach Shirdi from floor to floor in this palanquin of Sai Baba. The honor of the first palanquin is that of “Sai Sevak Mandal” which started in 1981 under the guidance of Sai Devotee Mr. Babasaheb Shinde and started from Sainiketan Dadar, Mumbai with 43 devotees to Shirdi. About 100 to 150 palkhas come to Shirdi every year from Mumbai and suburbs alone for Sri Ram Navami festival and about 500 palkhas come to Shirdi in a year. Apart from this, Sri Saibaba Palkhi Sohla Samiti Pune Palkhi has been coming to Shirdi on every Gurupurnima festival since last 35 years. A large number of palkhas come to Shirdi throughout the year from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh etc. Thus, since last few years, the Sai devotee padayatris who take the palanquin of Sai are becoming the attraction of this Sri Ram Navami festival.
All administrative officers, security officers of the institute under the guidance of the ad hoc committee chairman and chief district and sessions judge Sudhakar Yarlgadda, committee member and collector Siddharam Salimath, chief executive officer Goraksh Gadilkar and deputy chief executive officer Tukaram Hulvale, for the successful completion of this year’s Sri Ram Navami festival. Heads of all departments and all employees are working hard.