Once , Khandoba and Mhalsa play a game of saripat ( translated as game of dice or chess ) . Khandoba lose everything to Mhalsa in the wager , except his dhoti , his flag , his staff ( wand ) and his bhandari , the bag of magical bhandara ( turmeric powder ) . In a dream , he see Banai and fall in love with her . He go on a hunt in the forest , get away from the army and stay with Banai for twelve years . He marry her in non @-@ ritualistic marriage and bring her back to Jejuri . A variant describe how Khandoba arrive in Chandanpur on a hunting expedition and become thirsty . A Dhangar direct him to Banai 's vada . Banai offer him water or send a pot of water , in which Khandoba read Banai 's name . In another version , the pot with nine jewels is a sign for Khandoba to recognise Banai , the girl he saw in his dream . He fall for her and lose purposefully in saripat with Mhalsa and accept a twelve @-@ year exile . In this period , he disguise himself as an impoverished , old leper and become a man @-@ servant of Banai 's father . Some folk songs have erotic overtones , for example , some songs give erotic descriptions of Banai 's beauty which madden Khandoba .