Aarti

A prayer in devotion is called an ‘Aarti’, wherein the devotees stand in front of an idol or holy saint along with songs of devotion. These songs often are sung by using instruments like gongs or bells or sometimes cymbals. Hindus consider aarti a prosperous and lively event, in which the idol is decorated with wreaths, flowers showered upon Him, aromatic sticks are also lit and lamp of oil with wicks, that are five, is waved around the image of deity in clockwise direction.

After aarti is offered to the idol, it is then brought to the devotees so that they can pass over both their hands together above the holy flame and then bring the hands near their faces, which is marked as the symbol of gesture to receive positive energy from the sacred flame.

Four sessions of aarti are held in Shirdi throughout the day in which the devotees gather together and pray to Sai Baba to seek His blessings. The aarti of Sai Baba is sung in Marathi language. Shri Sai Baba is a living symbol of God, who has the power to guide, support as well as protect. The longing that created affection and trust between Him and his followers is shown through an aarti.

Timings

“Utha utha Sakala Jana” is a musical prayer being played in Samadhi Mandir which opens at 5.00 a.m. The Aarti named Kakad begins at 5.15 a.m. sharp, so as to request Lord Sai that he get up to give generous glance of Himself.

Shri Sai’s idol and his Samadhi are then offered Manga Snan with curd, sugar, aromatic warm water, milk, honey and ghee. After all this, Shodashopachar pooja is presented to Baba.

Baba is offered and presented with offerings between 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. Flowers, coconuts or sweets and garlands etc are available at shops near the temple.

Abhishek programme for masses begins at 8.00 a.m. However, if the crowd is uncontrollable, then this abhishek is cancelled. At 12 noon, Madhyana Aarti is done.

‘Dhoop Aarti’ begins in evening, and time of which varies from season to season as per Sun’s inclination. After this aarti gets over, the followers sing songs if devotion. Its permission is to be taken from the head of the temple at the Trust’s office.

‘Shej Aarti’ is performed at 10 p.m. And as Baba take retirement for the current day, its idol is covered with a net for protection from mosquitoes. A water jug is placed on Samadhi’s platform. On Thursdays and few important days, padukas of Sai Baba, i.e. his holy shoes, are placed with the portrait of his own, a royal parade is organized from the Mandir of Samadhi up to Chawri as well as Dwarka Mai.

Kakad Aarti 8:30 AM
Madhyana Aarti 12:00 Noon
Dhoop Aarti 6:00 AM
Shej Aarti 8:30 PM

Puja & Aarti Patronage

Some opportunities are offered to devotees daily or weekly while sometimes monthly or yearly such as Seva for a week, garlands for a week, abhishekam for a week to different idols, Annadhanam, offering flowers to Baba. A large number of services are offered through programmes free of cost at Centre of Sai at Shirdi Sai, such as they supply food to homes for old and centers of orphans, organizes camps of healthcare free of cost for senior citizens and parents coming from within the country or from abroad, vaccination for free is done for children, yoga classes free of cost are offered, giving classes to kids for various languages of India, expert Hindu lectures, classes of dancing, among others. When quarter of the year comes to an end, letter of news is sent to every registered follower and charges no fee from them. All the events of center of Sai are informed to the followers of Sai on timely basis.

Special Aarti

Celebrations of New Year, Shiva Ratri, Rama Navami, annakut, Diwali, Birth Day of Mother Teresa, Dussehra, Baba Punyathithi, Datta Jayanthi, Samoohika Satyanarayana Vratam celebrated one time in a month, in quarter of a year Samoohika Sai Satya Vratam, Christmas, among others are also celebrated.

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