The Origin: The Wheat Grinding Miracle (1910) Shri Sai Sacharit Chapter -1 

To understand the Shirdi Parikrama, we must look back to a time of crisis. Around 1910, Shirdi was struck by a severe cholera epidemic. While the village despaired, Sai Baba performed a mysterious act at the Dwarkamai masjid.

He began grinding wheat on a hand-mill. When asked why, he revealed a profound truth: he wasn’t grinding wheat, but the cholera virus itself. He instructed the women of the village to scatter the flour along the village borders (the brook). As soon as the “divine boundary” was sealed with this flour, the epidemic subsided.

The Spiritual Symbolism:

• The Lower Stone: Represents Karma (Destiny).

• The Upper Stone: Represents Bhakti (Devotion).

• The Handle: Represents Jnana (Knowledge).

• The Flour: Represents the destruction of our ego, sins, and suffering.

Today, when we walk the Parikrama, we are physically re-tracing that prophylactic shield, walking the line between fear and faith.

The Modern Revival

While the legend is old, the massive event we see today is a modern revival initiated around 2020. Spearheaded by the Green N Clean Shirdi Foundation, the event blends ecological awareness with deep devotion.

The date—February 13th—is historically significant as it marks the anniversary of the formation of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (est. 1922), honoring the stewardship that has preserved Baba’s legacy for over a century.

A Convergence of Faith

What started as a local movement has grown into a global phenomenon. Today, the Parikrama sees participation from:

• Corporate Patrons: Support from leaders in green energy and infrastructure.

• The Global Community: Devotees arriving from “Desh-Videsh” (home and abroad).