After the food was cooked in the Handi, what was the ritual for distributing it?

Once the cooking was complete, a specific procedure was followed. As detailed in Chapter 38, Sai Baba would have the Handi taken down from the hearth and brought into the Masjid. The first step was the formal consecration of the food. A Maulvi would be called to offer the "Fatya" prayer over the meal. Following this blessing, Baba would first send portions of the prasad to two specific devotees, Mhalasapati and Tatya. Only after that would Baba Himself serve all the remaining food with His own hands, finding great joy and contentment in satisfying the poor, weak, and hungry who came to him.