The Chavadi Procession

Over time, the moving from Dwarkamai to the Chavadi took on the form of a grand affair. This was thanks largely to the efforts of Radhakrishnayi, who wanted Baba to be honoured as a Maharajah, and supplied all sorts of ceremonial regalia. With the bedecked horse Shyam Sunder leading the way, Baba followed with Tatya on one side and Mhalsapati on the other, walking on carpets laid on the path. A crowd of people accompanied them, singing bhajan and dancing, playing musical instruments, shouting Baba's name, letting off fireworks, holding a silver umbrella over Baba, waving flags and fans, and chanting Hari-nama. The distance of a few metres took up to three hours to cover. Years earlier, Baba had predicted such scenes when talking to a few devotees, "In Shirdi there will be huge storeyed buildings, grand processions will be held, and big men will come. Chariots, horses, elephants will come, guns will be fired..."

Worshipping Baba inside the Chavadi

Once again, one cannot help marvelling at Baba. We know that he did not like such pomp and paraphernalia and we have seen the importance to him of holy poverty (faqiri) and
his reluctance to allow devotees to worship him, yet here he was allowing himself to be led to the Chavadi in an extravagant display of adoration. In describing the scene a few moments before the procession, Hemadpant hints at Baba's response. People were singing bhajan, some were decorating the palanquin, rows of oil lamps were burning, Shyam Sunder stood waiting fully decorated, "then Tatya Patil came to Baba with a party of men and asked him to get ready. Baba sat quiet in his place till Tatya came and helped him to get up by putting his arm under Baba's armpit" (Ch. 37). Clearly, Baba was not eagerly waiting to begin - in fact, we may sense a certain resignation - yet he went ahead with it, not just once, but hundreds of times! Again and again this scene was re-enacted, and it is one replete with poignancy and poetic tension. A great saint, adored as a living deity, but to whom any personal worship was distasteful, yet allowing it out of love for his devotees and a sympathy for their human longings and affection.


The Sri Sai Satcharitra gives a moving account of the procession. It tells us that when Baba arrived at the Chavadi and stood in front of it, his face shone with a "peculiar lustre". He "beamed with steady and added radiance and beauty, and all the people viewed this lustre to their heart's content...What a beautiful procession and what an expression of devotion! With joy pervading the whole atmosphere of the place... That scene and those days are gone now. Nobody can see them now or in the future."
However, we are fortunate that those days are not completely gone. We can experience something of that splendour and fervid devotion even today, as each Thursday evening a similar procession takes place with Baba's photo in honour of that tradition. It is a passionate, unrestrained - yet exalted - celebration of Sai Baba. If you have a chance, be sure to see the procession - it is an exhilarating experience!
In the evening, Baba's satka and padukas (in this case, a pair of Baba's leather sandals) are displayed in front of his sacred tomb from 7.30 p.m. until they are carried out at the beginning of the procession at nine o'clock. The Samadhi Mandir is even more crowded, as people are eager to touch and pay their respects to these sacred objects, which are accessible only at this time. The sense of occasion is enhanced by the hearty singing of melodious bhajan by some villagers, and a group of young men from a local youth organization dancing rhythmically to a rapid drumbeat
At about 9.15 p.m. the procession moves out of the Samadhi Mandir to a flurry of horns, cries and waving fans. At the centre is the garlanded portrait of Baba (the one from the Chavadi), carried reverently by the great-grandson of one of Baba's dearest devotees, Tatya Kote Patil, and another of his relatives. They are preceded by one of the mandir staff carrying the padukas and satka. Other staff follow, dressed in festive Maharashtrian-style red tunics and turbans. The procession wends its way through the street lined with eagerly waiting crowds, and the music and excitement crescendo as people strain for a glimpse of the photo and padukas. Many throw flowers, and guns fire marigolds, petals and confetti into the air.

The Thursday Procession to the Chavadi

The procession enters Dwarkamai about ten minutes later, where again there is an assembled crowd waiting for its arrival and jostling for a view. Here the photo is placed on the decorated silver palanquin to the accompaniment of more exuberant bhajan. This takes about fifteen minutes. Mandir staff and locals then carry the palanquin to the Chavadi, where people are waiting inside and out
As the palanquin approaches the Chavadi, we come to the climax of the evening. The palanquin is parked outside, and the picture, draped in gold-embroidered red velvet, is carried inside the Chavadi and greeted as if it were Baba himself entering. People may prostrate (if they have the space!), shout his name, say a silent prayer, or gaze longingly on his face. Baba's picture is then settled into place on a silver throne and arati is performed. Finally, the whole group returns to the Samadhi Mandir. Here, a local person receives the satka and padukas, and the Kote brothers hand back the picture and collect a coconut as prasad. The coconut is kept beside Baba's statue until the final night arati is over (around 10 p.m.). The picture is returned to the Chavadi after morning arati the next day
During the procession, lalkari is performed. There is no direct translation for "lalkari", but it means the ceremonial shouting of slogans or words of praise (traditionally used for royalty) such as "Long live Sai Baba!" There are specific points where this is done during the utsav, just as there were when the saint of Shirdi covered the short distance by foot nearly a hundred years ago.