Wednesday, May 5, 2010

ABC Wednesday - P for Palkhi

People carrying the idol of Sai Baba in a Palkhi (Palanquin) in a procession to celebrate the anniversary of a Sai Baba temple in Vakola, a suburb of Mumbai.
Sai Baba of Shirdi (Unknown – October 15, 1918), also known as Shirdi Sai Baba , was an Indian guru, yogi and fakir who is regarded by his Hindu and Muslim followers as a saint. There are many stories and eyewitness accounts of miracles he performed. In his life and teachings he tried to reconcile Hinduism and Islam: Sai Baba lived in a mosque which he called Dwarakamayi, practiced Hindu and Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions and was buried in a Hindu temple in Shirdi. One of his well known epigrams says of God: "Sabka Malik Ek Hai" ("One God governs all") which traces its root to the Bhagavad-Gita and Islam in general, and Sufism, in particular. He always uttered "Allah Malik" ("God is Master"). He had no love for perishable things, and was always engrossed in self-realization, which was his sole concern.Sai Baba taught a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, devotion to God and guru. His teachings combined elements of Hinduism and Islam and tried to achieve communal harmony between these religions.Sai Baba remains a very popular saint and is worshipped by people around the world and idolized in temples all over the country.
To view fascinating images on this theme from around the world please click here
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32 comments:

  1. What a marvelous, colorful and interesting capture for the day!!

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  2. A very colorful procession and I found your commentary fascinating...not too many folks today are working to bring religious traditions together but rather the opposite! Sai Baba sounds like a good person!

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  3. Very interesting commentary to accompany your very colorful photo, Deepak.

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  4. Very informative post. I also do like the colorful costume they wore.

    ABC Wednesday~P

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  5. Brilliant picture and a wonderful summary, most of which was unknown to me until now!

    My father is an ardent believer!

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  6. A very interesting post, and a beautiful picture of the parade that honours the saint. His moral code describes a life we should all strive for.

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  7. Beautiful and lovely capture !!Everything is so colorful !!Great post !!

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  8. wow, is this mourning? Very bright.

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  9. @uncertainhorizon ... no this is not mourning. this is celebration of the anniversary of the temple where he is worshipped.

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  10. I am enriched by Sai Baba through your excellent post!
    Namaste & Aloha from Hawaii


    Comfort Spiral

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  11. Your post today is fascinating - thanks for information:)

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  12. How cool
    with those orange hats :)))))
    Do you also have one ;)

    Amazing post
    soooooooo colorful !!!

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  13. Very informative post about a tradition about which I know next to nothing.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  14. Bright and colorful Picture :) I loved the narration.

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  15. Marvellous post and very informative. We could do with more people like Sai Baba. Thank you for sharing.

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  16. Another good reason to celebrate.

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  17. Wonderfully colorful procession and a very informative narrative. Thank you.

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  18. Thanks for sharing this interesting and nice image!

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  19. Are those marigold chains, i like the glitter on the umbrella.

    Do women go on the procession?

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  20. Ann, yes they are marigolds and yes women,children, everybody who is a devotee can join in.

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  21. LOL
    Why not looks so FUNNY :)))))

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  22. Like all of the above, I love the vibrant colors! Very interesting information.

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  23. Like all of the above, I love the vibrant colors! Very interesting information.

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  24. Bright and colorful Picture :) I loved the narration.

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  25. A very colorful procession and I found your commentary fascinating...not too many folks today are working to bring religious traditions together but rather the opposite! Sai Baba sounds like a good person!

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