"Shri Sai Satcharitra Mahaparayan Sohala`2011" and Sai Bhajan Sandhya was held from 15th Dec`2011 to 18th Dec`2011 at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai`Maharashtra. This Mahaparayan festival was held by the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan`Shirdi together with the Shirdi Gramastha, Sai Palki Nivara`Shirdi (Nighoj-Nimgaon) and all the "Sai Padyatra Mandal's" of Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Vasai and Virar.
The Entry was free for all but registration was required for those who wanted to participate in the recital of "Shri Sai Satcharitra" which began every morning. Those registered received a copy of Shri Sai Satcharitra, Baba's Arti Book, a Photo of Baba and Baba's Udi.
For this festival a replica of the Shirdi Temple was made with the highlight being a 24-feet-tall Idol of Sai Baba, the biggest ever created so far in Mumbai. It took 60 workers who worked day and night for 21 days to construct this replica of the Shirdi Temple including the 24-feet-tall Idol of Sai Baba.
Sai Baba's Original Padukas, which were last brought from Shirdi to Mumbai in 1993, were again brought to Mumbai, after a gap of almost 19 years, for this festival. Also brought from Shirdi for Darshan was Sai Baba's Palki & the Gold Framed Photo of Baba. The main grand entrance to the venue was also built like the actual one in Shirdi together with Baba's Neem tree & the Samadhi Shrine. Spread out on 7 acres of land, this festival recreated Shirdi in Mumbai where Idols of various Gods & Goddesses could also be seen.
In all 3 different beautifully decorated Tents were put up for this festival: 1) The First Tent had sets showcasing the life, times & spiritual journey of Sai Baba and his disciples with the help of Mannequins. 2) The Second Tent, having a capacity to accommodate around 7,000 people, was where the Shri Sai Satcharitra Mahaparayan was held. 3) The Third Tent was where the Meals were served for the devotees during breaks.
Sai Bhajan Sandhya was held everyday in the open area, from 19:30 to 22:30 by a galaxy of singers on whose Bhajans a daily crowd of around 15,000 people swayed & danced along.
Devotees entered the venue holding the holy "Shri Sai Satcharitra" on top of their heads chanting "Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jay" and dancing to the beats of the Drums/Cymbals being played. Some devotees made colorful Rangoli (Art) on the way on which Baba's Palki was carried to the venue.
Apart from the daily meal, care was also taken of housing over 2,500 visitors in various community halls & homes across Bandra. A request was also made to the BEST to initiate added Bus services to the BKC Grounds for this festival. A Causality Centre and around 4 Ambulances of the Sansthan were also kept ready, just in case of emergency. The Sansthan has spent over Rs.30 lakh for the event wherein maximum funds were achieved via anonymous donations.
A similar Sai Festival has been arranged in New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan in February 2012, while plans are on for a similar event to be be staged in cities like Panjim in Goa, Solapur and Satara in Maharashtra.
The creative designer behind all the Sets replicating the Shirdi Sai Temple, has already commenced creating a 60-feet Idol of Sai Baba outside the periphery of the Temple grounds in Shirdi. And the total project cost of which is going to range around Rs.51 crore.
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