On 19th July 2013,
the very auspicious day of Aashadhi Ekadashi, Sadguru Bapu and Nandai
performed Maha Abhishek (consecration) and poojan of Shree Vitthal and
Rakhumai at Vitthal Mandir of Wadala, a temple which is said to be
almost 397 years old. This temple is also popularly known as
Prati-Pandharpur. Bapu and Nandai were specially invited by the temple
authorities on this auspicious day to grace the occasion and make it
more pious.
Bapu
and Nandai started from their residence for the Maha Abhishek by
worshipping Mothi Aai. The Maha-abhishek was to start at 4:00 am, but
even at such an early hour, Bapu reached well before the scheduled time.
Bapu was warmly welcomed by Shri. Shashikant G. Naik, the President of
the Temple Trust, Shri. Uday S. Dighe the Treasurer of the Trust and
Shri. Prashant A. Mhatre, the Secretary of the Trust.
After
a brief meeting with the temple authorities, Bapu proceeded for poojan
of Shree Vitthal and Rakhumai, the most loved, adored and worshipped
deities of the millions. Bapu and Nandai performed Maha Abhishek on
Shree Vitthal and Rakhumai. After performing the poojan, Bapu honoured
the request of the temple authorities to address the devotees who longed
to see and hear Bapu and who were waiting so very much eagerly.
During
his address Bapu spoke about the importance of bhakti and the manner in
which a common man could do it in the simplest possible way. He also
talked about the significance and history of the temple about which
hardly anyone was aware. He mentioned that the idol of Shree Vitthal was
actually brought here by Sant Tukaram himself. Bapu also mentioned not
to treat the deities here as mere idols but to believe that they are
Shree Vitthal and Rakhumai themselves.
Becoming
nostalgic, Bapu explained his deep and age-old relation with this
temple. Bapu’s great-grandmother and grandmother first brought Bapu to
this temple when he was just 7 years old. It was here again that he was
first called by the name ‘Bapu’ by his great-grandmother.
At
the end of his address, the temple authorities honoured Bapu by
presenting him with a memento and a shawl. Finally, Bapu and Nandai
proceeded to perform aarti of Shree Vitthal and Rakhumai.
Bapu’s
visit made all the temple authorities feel blessed and in unison they
agreed that the entire event was carried out in the most pious, yet
organized manner in the presence of Bapu.
It was around 6:15 am that Bapu left from the temple.
