Original Snap Sai Baba in the Chavadi - Raj Upchar Photo.

Aum Sai Ram.

This is an Original Photograph of Sai Baba in the Chavadi.

It’s known as the ‘Raj Upchar’ photograph. Raj upchar consists of an elaborate ritual that consists of about 30 smaller rituals including a Snan of various ingredients. They are ‘Panchamrut snan’, ‘Sudh Dravya snan’, Chandan snan and Abhishek. Since all these rituals cannot be performed to a photograph only ‘Panch Ppchar’ is performed.

This Photograph is taken to the Samadhi Mandir, every Thursday in the afternoon. There it is placed on the Samadhi, after Dhoop Arati at 8.45 p.m. It is then taken in the Palki Procession.

It is the only photograph that has been clad with a silken ‘Sovala’. Here an explanation is necessary. Some Brahmins who are considered pure, and holy (sovale) have by ablution or other purification rituals attained the state of the highest and most sacred. 

If they come into contact with persons or articles that are ‘ovale’ (impure) their state of sovale is tarnished. 

This word is used for clothes, utensils, food and things in general. These are made fit for use after washing and other purification rituals. But silk and woolen clothes are used by the sovale person without any restriction.

Baba’s photograph is taken to the Samadhi Mandir where the Pujari does ‘Panch Upchar’. That is Applies Gandh or Sandal wood paste. Offers Pushpa (Flowers), Dhup (Incense), Deepa (lighted lamp) and Naivedya (Food Offering).

Then the photograph is clad with the silk sovale. This is the dress code or way of tying the dhoti with pleats covering the genital organs tightly for males. And for females the pleats of the sari do the same..

Now the photo in the 'Ladies side' of the Chavadi also has a 'sola' and the timings for the Arathi's have changed.