GURU PURNIMA
Guru Purnima (“ Purnima means full- moon”) is the one which disciples and devotees honour and felicitate their guru and seek his or her special blessing. Although it is of great importance in Shirdi, perhaps because it is the only festival which Baba asked us to celebrate.
The festival originated in the Buddha’s time when the monks used to Tate diksba (instructions on their spiritual practice) at the beginning of the annual four month rains-retreat. The practice was then borrowed be the Jain tradition and later the Hindus.
Hindu’s Puran says that programme respecting or worshiping ‘Guru’ on this day started at the time of ‘Vyas’ writer of Mahabharat Baba asserted the signifitucance of this day indirectly.
Once, in 1908, Tadyasaheb Noolkar came to Shirdi and stayed in Chavadi. One day Baba told Madhavrao to tell him to worship that post (pillar). The post Baba showed was near the Dhuni and Baba used to lean it. That day was the day of He was glad to have chance to worship at least the post in Masjid.Then Madhavrao Deshpande went into the Masjid. Baba told him to worship the same post along with Noolhar. But Madhavrao refused and insead requested to allow him to worship Baba himself. At last Baba gave the permission.
Dadasaheb Kelkar was unaware of this Puja. Tatya Kote Patil was called from the farm. People gathered the ‘Puja’ material. Dhoti was brought and people put on Dhoti to Baba, and worshiped him. Baba had no use of clothes but he gave permission in order to start the routine of Vyas puja. Thus this Puja was started at Baba’s time and now has taken form of Festival lasting for three days.
Various religious activities are arranged Great number of people flock to Shirdi during this Festival.
(Ref. Shiladhi - Marathibook)
FESTIVAL DAY SCHEDULE FOR 2005
02. Shri Gurupournima From 20.07.2005 to 22.07.2005
a)
Ashadha Sh. 14
Wednesday (Begins)
20.07.2005
b)
Ashadha Sh. 15
Thursday (Main)
21.07.2005
c)
Ashadha Kr. 1
Friday (Ends)
22.07.2005
http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/shirdi/festivals.aspSai baba let your holy lotus feet be our sole refuge.OMSAIRAM
dipika duggal