25th April 2024, Thursday - 4
Located in Shirgaon, Prati Shirdi is a meticulously maintained replica of the world-famous Sai Baba temple in Shirdi. It seemed our morning's crowded train journey was a stroke of good luck, as every other temple we visited today was blissfully empty. Prati Shirdi was no exception, with only a handful of devotees present. As Thursdays are considered auspicious for darshan of Sai Baba, the six of us from Mumbai made the most of this serene and special experience.
After our darshan at Prati Shirdi, on our way to Alandi, we visited another temple that was perhaps the most awe-inspiring one of the day: Tukaram Maharaj's new samadhi, also known as the Gatha Mandir. The temple walls are adorned with inscriptions of the devotional songs (Abhang) composed by this great saint. A majestic statue of Tukaram Maharaj seated in a meditative posture greets visitors at the entrance, with Vithoba and Rukmini depicted in the background. The serene and calming atmosphere surrounding the temple, along with the beauty of the sunset, made us want to linger and soak it all in.
With a tinge of reluctance, we left this location and headed towards our pre-arranged overnight stay at a guesthouse in Alandi. After checking in and freshening up, our first order of business in Alandi was undoubtedly a visit to Gyaneshwar Maharaj's Samadhi on the banks of the Indrayani River. We arrived just as the aarti ceremony was beginning.
As we spent time by the riverside, we reminisced fondly about the day's experiences. Though physically tired, we were mentally invigorated by the pilgrimage. Following a relaxed dinner at Ramesh Tea House near the samadhi temple, we retired to our rooms with a gentle reminder to rise early for the continuation of our yatra the next day.
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