The Sri Sai Satcharitra gives a moving account of the procession. It tells us that when Baba arrived at the Chavadi and stood in front of it, his face shone with a "peculiar lustre". He "beamed with steady and added radiance and beauty, and all the people viewed this lustre to their heart's content...What a beautiful procession and what an expression of devotion! With joy pervading the whole atmosphere of the place... That scene and those days are gone now. Nobody can see them now or in the future."

However, we are fortunate that those days are not completely gone. We can experience something of that splendour and fervid devotion even today, as each Thursday evening a similar procession takes place with Baba's photo in honour of that tradition. It is a passionate, unrestrained - yet exalted - celebration of Sai Baba. If you have a chance, be sure to see the procession - it is an exhilarating experience!

In the evening, Baba's satka and padukas (in this case, a pair of Baba's leather sandals) are displayed in front of his sacred tomb from 7.30 p.m. until they are carried out at the beginning of the procession at nine o'clock. The Samadhi Mandir is even more crowded, as people are eager to touch and pay their respects to these sacred objects, which are accessible only at this time. The sense of occasion is enhanced by the hearty singing of melodious bhajan by some villagers, and a group of young men from a local youth organization dancing rhythmically to a rapid drumbeat

At about 9.15 p.m. the procession moves out of the Samadhi Mandir to a flurry of horns, cries and waving fans. At the centre is the garlanded portrait of Baba (the one from the Chavadi), carried reverently by the great-grandson of one of Baba's dearest devotees, Tatya Kote Patil, and another of his relatives. They are preceded by one of the mandir staff carrying the padukas and satka. Other staff follow, dressed in festive Maharashtrian-style red tunics and turbans. The procession wends its way through the street lined with eagerly waiting crowds, and the music and excitement crescendo as people strain for a glimpse of the photo and padukas. Many throw flowers, and guns fire marigolds, petals and confetti into the air.