When I Fell at His Feet…

Me and my family visit Shirdi once in every year, usually at the time of Dussehra. In the same way, this year also we were blessed with an opportunity to visit Shirdi in the month of September, 2025. Every time, I visited Baba with one longing desire needed to be fulfilled. Even at his presence, all I wanted to do was to somehow convey my wish by all means. My mind was never empty. It was always preoccupied. Only this time I realized that, I never wanted to just have Baba’s darshan or never even tried to understand what He conveys. But in this visit, all my academic burden had been dropped off and surprisingly I had nothing to worry about.

The first day our flight landed in Shirdi, I was filled with excitement to see Baba. There was no other desire. I was on my way to darshan. Without any reason, I was happy just because I was going to see Baba. Only at that time I understood, how it would feel without the interference of my mind. I entered Samadhi Mandir and saw Baba. He was there, sitting like a Maharaj, attending all his devotees. His beauty captured me. I just couldn’t take my eyes off him. I couldn’t describe the moment. It was just bliss. It is said, “Blessed are those who could step into his Samadhi Mandir”. I felt grateful to be one among them.

I wholeheartedly came out after Baba’s darshan. At that time, a leaf from Baba’s neem tree in Gurusthan, fell on my head. It was like Him telling me, “I’m with you and you have my blessings “. I’ve felt at many times that Baba has communicated with me and answered my prayers. But when my mind gets occupied with other things, it is never easy to hear what Baba has to say.

The next day, I went for darshan again. It was less crowded than usual, so I had the chance of falling at Baba’s feet in his samadhi for a long time. The moment I fell at his feet, I became blank. I was basically not functioning at all. I literally felt that my hands were stuck at holding his feet. At that time, all I had was only one desire, to hold His feet a little longer and not to get up. A security guard had to come and pull me out, because I stayed longer. How could someone willingly come out when Baba was there? Only when I came out, I got my senses back. My palms felt different. At that time, I realized how blessed my hands were to touch Baba’s holy feet.

Baba has often said, “Let his man (devotee) be at any distance, a thousand kilometres away from me, he will be drawn to Shirdi, like a sparrow, with a thread tied to his feet”.

In the same way, I was at Shirdi, in His Samadhi Mandir, falling at His feet. What more could I ask for? My heart was full. I prayed that, I should always remember this moment at any situation and treasure it forever.

The following day, I had the fortune to see Baba’s palki* ceremony, which happens in Shirdi every Thursday at 9pm. Chavadi* is the place where Baba used to sleep every alternate night. For this, He was regularly taken in a procession from Dwarakamai* to Chavadi by his devotees. Even after Baba attained samadhi, till today, on every Thursday, a procession is carried out from Dwarakamai to Chavadi along with his possessions such as his paduka*, satka* and his photograph kept in a palki. This is witnessed by a huge crowd, with aarti, music and dance. The entire place lightens up with people rejoicing this event. Being a part of all this, I understood that “Baba is not only to be felt, Baba is to be celebrated”.

After spending 5 whole days in Shirdi, my trip got over. With a heavy heart, I said bye to Baba, with a wish to see him soon.

It is quoted in Sai Satcharitra, “Always remember “Sai” “Sai”. If you did that, all your shackles would be removed and you would be free”.

OM SAI RAM!!!

*Palki – palanquin

*Chavadi – a place where baba used to sleep on alternate nights (near Dwarakamai)

*Dwarakamai – the Masjid where Baba spent most of his lifetime

*Satka– staff carried by Baba

*Paduka– holy footwear of Baba

Dr. Teja

Tiruvannamalai

06.11.2025

Dr. Tejasri

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