It is the pious custom of the Hindus to bow down or prostrate in reverence before a saint by touching his feet, as a mark of humility and self-abnegation. As Sai Baba's fame soon started spreading, people – mostly Hindus -were drawn to him in galore from far and wide. To pious Hindus, an ascetic, whether he is a Hindu or a Muslim, is a holy man worthy of reverence. Even from the day of his advent at Shirdi, people - though a handful in the beginning - looked upon him as a holy man, a fakir (a Muslim ascetic). The introduction of Aarti as a regular congregational worship at Shirdi is to be seen as marking a new phase in the evolution of the worship of Sri Sai Baba. Let us first glean all the available data from various sources and construct them into a coherent hypothetical sequence, before proceeding to discuss the posing discrepancies therein. Even the small stray details scattered here and there are fuzzy and incongruous. In the whole gamut of the literature on Sri Sai Baba, the details regarding how and whence the custom of performing regular Aartis to Baba commenced, are not clearly recorded. The first glimmerings of the dawn of the Aarti tradition in Shirdi are a bit foggy. Congregational worship with prolonged singing of devotional songs in unison is seldom found in South India. In Mangala Aarti normally camphor is kindled instead of an oil lamp. In the South, usually it is done as a concluding part of the ritualistic worship, (both public and personal) which is called Mangala Aarti or Neerajana. This custom of Aarti, as a from of congregational worship, is more in vogue in northern India, especially in Maharashtra. Though, the tradition of offering Aarti is almost ubiquitous in the Hindu liturgy, the details of the modus operandi differ from region to region and are distinguished by many sectarian embellishments. After the devotional singing, the flame of the Aarti-lamp is offered to the devotees, who pass their hands by turns over the sacred-flame and quickly draw them to their faces and heads as a gesture of drawing unto themselves the auspicious energy emanating from the receptacle of grace', i.e. All such details as the number of wicks, the kind of fuel, etc., carry their own esoteric symbolism. Sometimes, instead of an oil-lamp, ignited camphor placed on a try is waved. A lamp with wicks burning clarified butter (ghee) is the most preferred. Such a performance of aarti with a fivefold oil-lamp is called Panchaarti.Īt times Aarti is performed with a single, three or elevenfold (and so on) lamps. While the devotees sing psalms, either an officiant or a devotee revolves clockwise, (usually) a fivefold oil lamp - consisting of five oil-traylets - round the object of adoration. The object of worship is devoutly decorated with posy garlands and aromatic incense and musk are kept smoldering. Normally, the singing is accompanied by musical instruments such as bells, gongs and cymbals. Subsequently, over a fistful of Chana dal.ĭo not consume a banana or any part of the banana plant on this day.Significance and Complete History of Sai Baba’s Aarti in ShirdiĪarti is a mode of congregational worship, in which the devotees stand facing the image of a deity or a deified Saint or, the personage ('living idol') of an exalted Saint singing devotional songs in unison. Chant the "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" mantra. Then fill water mixed with turmeric in a kalash and offer it to the banana plant. And those who wish to seek the blessings of Jupiter astrologically may also worship Brihaspati on Thursday.ĭo Sankalpa (vow) to complete the puja with utmost devotion.Īpply haldi and Chandan tika to the plant and offer yellow coloured flowers. Brihaspati is believed to be a symbol of knowledge and wisdom, and hence he is referred to as Guru (teacher).ĭevotees also worship a banana plant known as Kadali in Sanskrit on Thursdays as it symbolises Shri Vishnu, the one who sustains, protects and preserves life on Earth. Therefore, Thursday in Hindi is called Brihaspativar or Guruvaar. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu and Brihaspati (Jupiter) on Thursdays. Hindus pray to the water bodies, trees and animals and nature at large apart from the various manifestations of the divine power.Įach day in a week is meant for the worship of a deity that governs the specific day. Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) is a way of life that believes not only in the worship of the Gods and Goddesses but the myriads forms of life on Earth and the heavenly bodies too. Know why a banana plant is worshipped on Thursdays