Sai Palki Yatra 2025

In the soft glow of July this year, London witnessed a festival that seemed to carry the fragrance of the heaven itself. The streets of Newham were filled with chants of OM SAI RAM and it became the sacred path of what is believed to be Europe’s largest Sai Palkhi Procession.

The festival blossomed over nine holy days, for Shirdi Sai Baba himself believed that the number nine holds the highest energy. Baba often reminded his devotees that nine is the number of completeness, a symbol of eternal cycle of life and spirit. And so, every prayer, every step, every ritual in this celebration carried the grace of that divine number.

The Colours

The Celebration was not only a festival but a moving prayer. Each day was wrapped in a different hue, carrying its own divine meaning. Grey for surrender, yellow for wisdom, red for strength, white for purity, green for growth, orange for sacrifice, blue for infinity and purple for devotion. Devotees adorned themselves in these colours, and even the prasad that was lovingly served reflected the theme of the day. 

Each dawn began with a gentle stirring of bells and chants at the temple. The air felt delightful with prayer as devotees gathered with folded hands, awaiting Baba’s blessings. Om Sai Ram scarves were offered by priests to the devotees like garlands of love, a reminder that every soul is wrapped in Baba’s embrace. Then, as the fragrance of incense rose like a bridge to the heaven, one of the devotees was adorned with a sacred “pagri” (turban). It was more than a cloth upon the head, it was a crown of service, a call to walk with humility in Baba’s name.

With hearts brimming and eyes shining, the bearers held the Sai Satcharitra close to their chest and carried Baba’s photo as if carrying light itself. The bearers circled Baba nine times, their steps forming a prayer of surrender, each round a thread in the rainbow of devotion. When the parikrama was complete, the procession set forth, moving like a river of faith through the streets. Every step was music, every breath a chant, and every pot of offerings swayed like a vessel of blessings carried to waiting hearts.

On the first day, the procession travelled from East Ham Temple to Forest Gate Temple. The temple at Forest Gate welcomed the gathering with Baba’s Abhishek, soulful aarti and divine prasad. The next day the direction was reversed, from Forest Gate to East Ham. This rhythm continued for nine days, like the flow of waves carrying love across the city. 

Shirdi Coming Alive in London – The Golden Palki

Around three hundred devotees gathered on the main day, their voices blending into a river of faith. And on the final day, a vision appeared that took the breath away. A Golden Palkhi, the first of its kind in the world, glistened like a sun descended upon earth. Adorned with flowers, it sparkled as though the samadhi temple of Shirdi had been lovingly brought to London.

Leaders of the Newham community were honoured with love and respect by the temple trustees and its chairman, their presence a reminder that Baba’s blessings embrace all who walk in the spirit of service. The tireless Sai Volunteers, who quietly give themselves through the year, were cherished as the silent strength of the temple, the unseen lamps that keep the flame alive.

As The Sai Palkhi continued, doors opened and lives were touched. Devotees and non-devotees alike stepped out of their homes to bow their heads, for Baba was passing by. It felt as though he was gently knocking at each door, leaving behind blessings that would bloom unseen in every household. 

When the procession paused at the park, the air itself grew still. Newham’s superintendent offered words of unity and harmony, and in that sacred moment Sai Times Magazine 2025 was unveiled, its pages glowing with stories of faith. Copies were gifted into grateful hands as keepsakes of remembrance. 

When the procession reached Forest Gate temple, the fragrance of prasad filled the air, and delicious offerings were served with love. Before entering the temple, The Sai Palkhi stopped at its gates. A wave of joy rose among the devotees and they danced in divine ecstasy, their steps echoing the music of their souls. Inside, many performed archana and sought Baba’s darshan, their eyes shimmering with tears of surrender.

The day came to a close with a sacred abhishekam offered at Baba’s feet and the melodious madhyan aarti rising like a song of heaven. The temple glowed, but the true light was within every heart, where the sweetness of Baba stayed like nectar. The Abhishekam itself was an act of beauty and devotion. Nine sacred offerings were poured from a single shankh as if the whole universe was flowing into Baba’s presence. Water, milk, rosewater, Gangajal, coconut water, vibhuti, theertham powder, fruit panchamrit and once again Gangajal, where, each drop carried the prayer of every heart.

The nine days were more than a festival; they were a reminder. A reminder that Baba walks wherever his name is remembered. A reminder that colours can become prayers and numbers can hold divine meaning. 

It truly felt like Shirdi coming alive far away from its soil. In every step of the procession, in every note of the aarti, in every morsel of prasad, there was love.