By the grace of Shree Gajanan Maharaj, 142nd ‘Prakat Din Utsav’ was celebrated with joy and enthusiasm by Shri. Gajanan Maharaj Bhakta Pariwar – Boston at ‘Shri Dwarkamai Shirdi Sai Baba’ Temple in Billerica, MA on 15th February 2020.

Shri Gajanan Maharaj ‘Prakat Din’ is not the birth anniversary but the appearance anniversary festival of the great saint from Maharashtra. This is the day when the great saint was first sighted by devotees in Shegaon, Maharashtra. As per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra, they saw him for the first time on Magh Krishna Paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month. As per Gregorian calendar, it was February 23, 1878. Shri Gajanan Maharaj devotees all over the world annually observe this day per the lunar calendar which happened to be Saturday, 15th February in 2020.

Shri Gajanan Maharaj is called as an Avadhuta; a yogi whose sole purpose is to help his devotees realize the God; an ascetic who may appear to be unaware of his surroundings and the state of his body but who truly knows the past, present and future of his every devotee; a mother (Mauli) who just simply cares for physical and spiritual well beings of her children (devotees). Through his teachings and his daily activities, he spread Bhakti, love, wisdom and opened the path of self-realization for many. Although many years have passed since he left this physical world, his devotees still experience his guidance and blessings.

Shri Gajanan Maharaj performed innumerable miracles during his life time and through them helped the needy, the ailing and the unfortunate. The miracles performed by him are compiled in a book titled 'Shri Gajanan Vijay Grantha' which is also called as his biography.

The ‘Prakat Din’ celebrations in Boston was celebrated with lot of joy and enthusiasm. More than 125 devotees and volunteers from all over of Metro Boston area joined the celebrations. The program started with devotees reciting the Shri Gajanan Vijay Granth (also called as Parayan). After that, revered priest from Shri Dwarkamai temple performed Paduka Pujan of Shri Gajanan Maharaj with all the elaborate rituals. While the priest was performing this puja, all the devotees too performed their individual pujas of chouki (miniature pictures of Shri Gajanan Maharaj). Paduka Pujan concluded with all the devotees offering Abhishek to the Padukas.

After Arati, kids of various age groups narrated highlights from all the 21 chapters of 'Shri Gajanan Vijay Grantha' in English. These highlights provided a quick glimpse into Maharaj’s life, his miracles, teachings and the meaning of the mantra ‘Gan Ganat Bote’. All the kids did a wonderful job and devotees enjoyed this narration.

This was followed by the most awaited part of the program, ‘Palkhi’. Palakhi is the traditional procession of Maharaj’s Paduka in a decorated palanquin with all the devotees singing and dancing around it in uniform formations. The highlight of this year’s Palakhi was kids dance based on the traditional Palkhi dance performed at Shegaon. All the devotees carried the Palakhi turn by turn to carry Maharaj’s Paduka.

Palkhi procession was followed by Mahaprasad; a home cooked dinner that included the recipes that Maharaj used to like such as Zunka-Bhakar, Goda bhat(sweet rice), Thecha etc. Mahaprasad concluded the ‘Prakat Din’ celebrations. All the devotees departed for their homes carrying Maharaj’s blessings with them and feeling rejuvenated.

Shri. Gajanan Maharaj Bhakta Pariwar is grateful to Shri Dwarkamai Sai Baba Temple for hosting and offering all loving support to make the celebrations possible. Dwarkamai is an nonprofit organization actively engaged in organizing health, social, spiritual workshops and events benefiting all. For more information about the events in Dwarkamai at four locations in New England area please visit https://www.dwarkamai.com