Nature of Sri Khakhi Baba’s Penance
The penance of Sri Khakhi Baba was extremely rigorous, disciplined, and spiritually profound. A Brahmin named Ramu ji from Dada Fatehpura village regularly served Baba during his period of meditation. Bisuram ji, the priest of the temple, would also come for Baba’s darshan and regarded Sri Khakhi Baba as an embodiment of Lord Shiva.
Baba’s daily meditation period usually commenced about one hour after sunrise and continued until noon (12 PM). During this time, he remained completely absorbed in deep spiritual practice.
The austerity of his penance was extraordinary. During the summer season, Baba would sit on the hilltop surrounded by burning cow-dung cakeenduring intense heat for hours while remaining immersed in meditation. Similarly, during winter and monsoon seasons, he would sit for several hours in freezing cold, flowing spring water, completely absorbed in devotion to the Divine.
Such severe self-discipline, endurance, and unwavering devotion established Sri Khakhi Baba as a great ascetic, whose spiritual practices continue to inspire countless devotees even today.
Divine and Mystical Powers of Sri Khakhi Baba
Although there are varied beliefs and opinions regarding the birthplace and early life of Sri Khakhi Baba, making it difficult to arrive at a definite conclusion, it is widely accepted that after performing intense penance at several sacred places, he accepted Sant Shiromani Sri Sukhramdas Ji of Lohargal as his spiritual guru. Following his initiation, Sri Khakhi Baba chose the hill of Dada Fatehpura village as place of meditation.
Sri Khakhi Baba was a great ascetic endowed with divine spiritual powers. According to devotees, his appearance was mystical, radiant, and profoundly influential. His head adorned with long matted locks, a thick beard, a fair complexion, a broad forehead, and piercing, luminous eyes reflected his immense spiritual strength and disciplined life. He usually wore a loincloth, and at times a yellow robe (angarkhi), while his feet were adorned with wooden sandals (khadau).
Water flowing continuously from the Ajit Sagar Dam formed a natural stream, along whose banks stood Sri Khakhi Baba’s Dhuna (sacred fire site), where a chimta (iron tong) was always placed. This ancient Dhuna was located approximately midway between the present-day temple and the dam, towards the northern direction. It was at this sacred Dhuna that Baba performed his intense austerities.
After completing his meditation, Baba devoted his time to serving the distressed, interacting with devotees, offering guidance, and participating in bhajans and kirtans. According to the descendants of eyewitness devotees, when the ardent Shaivite Sri Khakhi Baba sat in deep meditation holding the chimta, it appeared as though Lord Shiva Himself had descended upon the earth.
Throughout his earthly life, Sri Khakhi Baba Maharaj blessed devotees, servants, and donors according to their faith—sometimes visibly and sometimes by granting the fruits of their devotion in unseen ways. Among his many divine acts, one profound and unforgettable event deeply moved the hearts of all devotees.
It was the sacred day of Phalgun Krishna Amavasya, Vikram Samvat 1931. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered in the sky, strong winds began to blow, and the atmosphere became intensely mystical. Shortly before this moment, Sri Khakhi Baba had returned to his Dhuna after performing penance in the flowing waters below the hill.
At that time, Ramu ji was arranging water and food for Baba, and Bisuram Ji, the priest of the ancient Shiva temple near the Ajit Sagar Dam, had arrived for Baba’s darshan. Baba called both of them to sit near him, and they did so with folded hands and deep reverence.
In a calm and composed voice, Baba said:
“Devotees, today I are leaving for some other place to perform tapasyaa”
He then asked Bisuram Ji to take care of his angarkhi (robe) and told Raghunath Ji:
“You have served me with great devotion. Please keep these khadau (wooden sandals), chimta, and other sacred belongings.”
