RAM-NAVAMI

Ram Navami festival is celebrated at Shirdi every year. Saibaba's Urus festival is also held at the same time. Urus is a festival that the muslims celebrate in honor of Sai baba. Gopal Rao Gund wanted to celebrate Urus festival in the year 1897. This is because he was gifted with a child by Sai baba after a long period of childless years. In gratitude of that, he wanted to celebrate Urus festival. But Sai baba has put a condition that Urus can be celebrated, but it should be celebrated on the day of Ram Navami. From that time onwards, Urus and Ram Navami are celebrated together on the same day. Ram Navami is a hindu festival and Urus is a muslim festival. Both the hindus and muslims work together in both the processions during the entire festival.

GURU POURNIMA

The next important festival celebrated at Shirdi is the Guru Poornima. The full moon day in the month of Ashad is celebrated as Guru Poornima. Worshipping of the Guru ( or the teacher) is one of the cultures of Hindu tradition. Hindus give more importance to the spiritual gurus. The gurus are treated equal to God. The devotees honor their gurus and take their blessings on this day.Guru Poornima is the only festival which Sai baba asked his devotees and disciples to celebrate. This is the day when Ved Vyas who wrote Mahabharata was born. So the festival of Guru Poornima is celebrated in memory of Vyasa. Vyas edited the 4 vedas and wrote 18 puranas, Mahabharata and Bhagavadgeetha. Guru Poornima is also called as "Vyas Poornima". The Sage Vyas is known to be the Adi Guru of Hindu religion.

VIJAYA DASHAMI

Vijaya Dashami is an important festival celebrated through out India by hindus. This festival is celebrated as the victory of good over evil. For Sai baba devotees in Shirdi, this is a grand festival on which day Sai baba attained Maha Samadhi and left his mortal body and left for heavenly abode. This festival is celebrated as "Sai Punya tithi" and is celebrated in a great way at Shirdi of Saibaba.Sai baba left his mortal body on 15th October in the year 1918. That was the day of Vijaya Dashami festival. Sai baba gave an indication about his leaving two years in advance in 1916 itself. Various religious activities are carried out at Shirdi on Vijaya Dashami festival.

SHRI PUNYATITHI

Sai Baba of Shirdi is a spiritual teacher who is regarded as a saint among the devotees. He is highly regarded by believers of both Hindu and Muslim community. During, as well as, after his lifetime, he has a huge following of devotees. Saibaba is revered as an incarnation of Sri Dattatreya and considered as Saguna Brahma. Every year on his death anniversary, Punyatithi, various functions and programmes are held at the Saibaba Temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra. The temple receives over millions of devotees from all over the world. Saibaba's 101st Punyatithi events will begin from October 7 (Monday) and last till October 10 (Thursday). And as the observance approaches, we bring to you Sai Bab Shri Punyatithi full schedule.