August 3, 2013: Spiritually initiated on June 1, Shirdi Sai Temple in Chelmsford, Mass. successfully conducted the six-week long annual Sai Palkhi procession with an immense display and concluded the event on auspicious Guru Purnima. 

Similar to previous years, the tradition of the Sai Palkhi procession continued with similar enthusiasm and devotion as past processions. The Palkhi initiation started off with cultural programs where many kids of different ages performed in both the spiritual and classical genres. With great devotion and zeal, the volunteers came up with wonderful themes and decorated the Palkhi with flowers and many more ornamental items.

Each week, the Palkhi was decorated with a different theme – Ganesha, Hanuman, Shiva, Shanku Chakra, Kalash and the Sai Divine tree. On the day of the procession, Baba’s Raj Upachar Portrait draped in a colorful royal robe, along with Paduka and the sacred book of Sai Satcharitra and Chillum were placed in the PalkhiPalkhi with due sanctity and honor.

In the olden days of Shirdi, the Palkhi procession started off at Dwarakamai carried by bakthas on their shoulders singing, chanting hymns and bhajans reached Chawdi where worship was offered to baba. 

Likewise, New England Shirdi Sai Parivar is considered Dwarakamai of U.S. where the Palkhi procession starts each year and the devotee homes to be Chawdi where the family along with friends and relatives receive Lakshmi Kalash and Baba’s Palkhi into their homes and perform pooja with sincere devotion. 

After the pooja, padukas are then taken out of the Palkhi and are taken around the house holding them on the household’s head to purify the house with Baba’s Holy Feet. All the devotees visiting the Palkhi get blessings and udi.

Devotees felt fortunate and blessed for taking Baba’s BABA’s Palkhi in their vans (Van Seva) throughout the procession. Kids also enjoyed the Palkhi procession holding the Dwajha (flags), Chatri (Umbrella) for Baba.

A huge number of devotees followed the procession with all the paraphernalia to more than 150 houses travelling more than 1500 miles covering Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Maine, singing bhajans and dancing in delight to the mesmerizing spiritual tunes. NESSP is planning to extend Palkhi yatra to other New England states such Connecticut and Vermont next year. On July 21, NESSP’s annual Palkhi event was concluded with Baba Abhishekam after reading the Holy Book of Shri Guru Charitra. The prayer hall was filled with fervor and devotion. On the final day, NESSP was extremely delighted to announce the greatest news of reaching the very important milestone of raising $1 million towards the land and construction of permanent Sai Temple in the town of Groton, Mass. 

The cost of purchasing the land is $1.1 million and approximately $250K for various permits. NESSP initiated the fundraising event “Sri Sai Divine Tree” on Ugadi/Gudi Padwa of this year. Sai “Divine Tree” is going to be permanently placed in the temple consisting of 1008 leaves with the names of the donors engraved. The divine tree at the temple will bring lots of blessings from Baba to all. It is also a great way to honor family members as their names will be at the temple for generations. 

With Shri Sai’s blessings NESSP is making good progress towards getting the town permits and is looking forward for the continued support and blessings for all the future endeavors.

Thanks to all the volunteers for their altruistic and tireless commitment in planning diligently, route mapping, organizing and coordinating from the start to the end, and  making the annual Palkhi event a grand success. Without their support this would not have been possible. 

Source: India New England, DT. August 3, 2013.