Wishing All A very Happy Sri Rama Navami
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPypo8URjUg/TzOEv5lkWCI/AAAAAAAATgw/mJAervSzrGs/s1600/46.jpg)
(http://www.shirdisaiofrockies.org/start/Portals/0/banner.JPG)
Wish joy, harmony and prosperity on Ram Navami.
JaiSaiRam
Sri Rama Navami Celebrations at SHIRDI
Saturday, March 31st 2012 and Sunday, April 1st 2012
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jKPcjKS6NfQ/S7qh1VceW8I/AAAAAAAAAgs/8B7izFCgc2M/s1600/lord_rama11.jpg)
sri rAma rAma rAmeti rame rAme manorame
sahasra nAma tat tulyam rAma nAma varAnane
Lord Shiva told this to Parvati: ""O Varanana (lovely-faced woman), I chant the holy name of Rama, Rama, Rama and thus constantly enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Ramachandra is equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Vishnu."
Origin of Rama Navami in Shirdi: Sri Rama Navami is one of the greatest festivals celebrated at Shirdi. This day is very dear and sacred to the devotees of Sai Baba. With Sai Baba’s blessings, a son was born to Mr. Gopal Rao Gund. In the joy that he felt, an idea of celebrating a fair or 'Urus' occurred to him in the year 1897. The day for the Urus was fixed on the Rama Navami day, after having consultation with Sai Baba. It seems, He had some end in view on this - Unification of the two fairs of festivals, the Urus and the Rama Navami and the unification of the two communities - the Hindus and the Mahomedans.
Nishana Procession: Gopalrao Gund had a friend, by name Damu Anna Kasar, of Ahmednagar, who too was blessed by Sai Baba with sons. Mr. Gund prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply one simple flag for the procession of the fair; he also succeeded in inducing Mr. Nanasaheb Nimonkar to supply another embroidered flag. Both these flags were taken in procession through the village.
Chandanotsav: This idea of ‘Sandal’ procession originated with one Mr. Amir Shakkar Dalal, a Mahomedan Bhakta from Korhla. This procession is held in honour of great Muslim Saints. Sandal i.e. Chandan paste and scrapings are put in the THALI (flat dishes), and these are carried with incense burning before them in procession to the accompaniment of band and music through the village and then after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the dishes are thrown on the ‘Nimbar’ (nitche) and walls of the Masjid with hands.
Urus and Rama Navami: In 1912, Mr. Krishnarao Jageshwar Bhisma (the author of ‘Sri Sai Sagunopasana’), accosted Kaka Mahajani thus - "There is some providential arrangement in the fact that the Urus or fair is celebrated in Shirdi on the Rama-Navami day; this day is very dear to all the Hindus; then why not begin the Rama-Navami Festival - the celebration of the birth of Shri Rama here on this day?" Kaka Mahajani liked the idea, and it was arranged to get Baba’s permission in this matter. Mahajani asked for Baba’s permission and Baba gladly gave it.
Jhoola Seva: Jhoola Seva will be performed on Sri Rama Navami day in the Mandir as part of Ram Janmotsav and all the devotees have the opportunity to participate in the Jhoola Seva.
Kaala Handi: On the next day after Rama Navami, Kaala Handi ceremony (an earthen pot containing parched rice mixed with curds is hung, only to be broken after the 'Kirtan', and the contents distributed to all), as was done by Lord Krishna amongst His cow-herd (friends), was performed.
JaiSaiRam ;)