Jun 17, 2011 05:15 PM
SHIRDI…. PLACE OF WORSHIP AND FAITH
SHIRDI, a small Indian town, belongs to Maharashtra State-in Rahata taluka of Ahmednagar district. The footprints of SAIBABA
have made this town a holy place, situated on the State highway
of Ahmednagar-Manmad. A large number of devotees continuously flow to visit this very holy place from all over India and abroad as well. Sainagar Railway Station, the new Railway Station for Shirdi has been started.Also Manmad- Junction, Kopargaon and Nagarsul are the nearest railway stations (CR) Superhuman Saint Shri Saibaba appeared at Shirdi to justify his human – Incarnation deeds for 60 years & went for
contemplation in Shirdi itself. The footprints and the works of Superhuman Saibaba have turned this holy place as a unique place for the people of all caste, creed and religion. During his Incarnation services, Shri Saibaba had consoled his devotees, “After my going for
contemplation (Samadhi), my ashes will speak from the grave…, people will throng this place like ants.” His message is being experienced today.
Thousands/lakhs of devotees from all over India and abroad are coming to Shirdi now-a-days. From here itself Saibaba has delivered a universal slogan of “SHRADDHA-SABOORI”. I.e., Faith- Patience. So the place of “Samadhi” has become a center point for innumberable devotees sparking the energy of life. While visiting Shirdi, One
experiences the mental-peace, self-confidence, and great conciliation. Shirdi has become a place of faith for millions of devotees. Throughout the year, during all the seasons, Shirdi is a convenient place to visit.
Baba Sacred Body has been laid to eternal rest (Samadhi)
here. The edifice of this main Mandir (Temple) was constructed
with Baba’s blessings, by Shri Gopalarao Butti of Nagpur, and ardent devotee of Baba. It is therefore also known as “Butti Wada”. Baba’s beautiful life-size idol is installed near His Samadhi in this shrine. All rituals, comprising Pooja, Abhishek and daily four Aaratis, are performed here.
DWARAKAMAI (MAZID):
This was Baba’s abode (located within Samadhi Mandir Complex) continuously for sixty years till he took Samadhi, Baba blessed innumerable devotees here. The Sheela (Stone), on which Baba used to sit, is located in Dwarkamai. The sacred Fire (Dhuni) lit by Baba is also eternally burning here. Baba used to give Sacred Udi (Ash) from this Dhuni to his devotees to fulfill their wishes. Even now, Udi distributed to devotees is from this Dhuni, Baba used to cook food here and distribute it among his devotees.
CHAVADI:
Chavadi is located nearby, on the eastern side of Samadhi Mandir Complex. On every alternate day, Baba used to proceed in procession from Dwarkamai to Chavadi at night and sleep there. Even now, on every Thursday Baba’s Photo, Holy Padukas (Foor-wear) and Sataka (Baton) are taken in Palaquin procession to the Chavadi, between 9.15 p.m to 10.00 p.m.
GURUSTHAN:
Baba was first spotted (within Samadhi Mandir Complex) when He was a lad of sixteen. Baba used to refer to this spot as His Guru’s
(Mentor’s) location. The famous Margosa (Neem) tree, refered to in Shree Sai Satcharitra stands here. It is the experience of devotee that
if they burn incense here on Thursday and Fridays, their ailments get cured.
LENDI BAUG:
Baba used to go for a stroll to this Baug (Garden), which is
located within Samadhi Mandir Complex. Nanda Deep (Sacred Oil Lamp) is kept continuously lit near the Pipal tree planted by Baba himself in this Garden. A small Datta mandir is also situated in this Garden. Baba’s beloved horse, Shyamkarna (Shyamsunder) was laid to eternal rest here. There is also a well, called “Baba’s Shivadi” in this garden.
MUSEUM HALL:
Valuable things used by Baba during his time are drinking vessel (Tumbler), Baba’s Paduka (footprints), Baba’s Satka, Grinder, Gramophones, Bowl of Hukka, Horse Bridlehabiliments, the Kaphani and Sandals worn by Shri Sai Baba and the original photographs of Lord Sai. All these valuable things are kept in the museum hall for Sai devotees.
OTHER SAMADHIES:
Samadhies of Shri Tatya Patil Kote, Shri Bhau Maharaj Kumbhar, Shri Padmanabha Iyer, Shri Nanawali and Shri Abdul Baba, who were Baba’s ardent devotees and were closely associated with him during his life time, are located within Samadhi Mandir Complex, near Lendi Baug.
Besides the forgoing, there are other Temples located within Samadhi Mandir Complex : Shri Ganesh Temple, Shri Shani Temple, and Shri Mahadeo Temple.
KHANDOBA MANDIR:
This temple is located near Shree Saibaba Hospital on Nagar- Manmad Road. When the marriage party of Chand Patil’s wife’s nephew came to Shirdi, they had taken shelter under the banyan tree located near this temple. When Shree Saibaba, who had accompanied this marriage party, alighted with others in the open ground of this temple, the Pujari (Priest) of the temple welcomed this Young Ascetic with the words “Aao Sai” (“Come Sai”)
IMPORTANT FESTIVALS:
The management of Shri Saibaba Sansthan celebrates three main festivals. These are Shri Ramnavami, Gurupournima and Vijayadashmi
(Samadhi day of Baba). As a large number of devotees come to seek the blessings of Shri Saibaba, The Samadhi Temple remains open round the clock on the main day of all these festivals. Various functions are organized with religious fervor during the festival days. During his livelihood, Bhiksha was one of the routine work of Shri Saibaba. He was
distributing it after cooking amongst the devotees. In order to mark this special routine work of Shri Saibaba, Sansthan Trust organizes
the Bhiksha Zoli programme on Dussera day in Shirdi Town only.
FACILITIES PROVIDED BY SANSTHAN
ACCOMMODATION
Considering the heavy influx of devotees from all over the country and all corners of the world, Sansthan Trust has given the utmost priority for the accommodation of Sai devotees. At present the accommodation complex named as Saiprasad, Saibaba Bhaktaniwas, Dwarawati Bhaktaniwas have total 1100 rooms. Approximately 15000 devotees are accommodated at a time. For the convenience of devotees, Sansthan Trust has provided 425 Lockers in these accommodation complex.
BHAKTA NIWAS (500 Rooms)
The Sansthan has constructed a Sai Bhakta Niwas (500 rooms) for the accommodation of Sai-devotees. It is on the Nagar-Manamad State highway, 1km. from the Samadhi-temple towards Ahmednagar. Free bus service is provided by the Sansthan Trust, from the Bhaktaniwas to temple.
SAI PRASAD BHAKTANIWAS
This is located on northside of Temple Complex very near to Samadhi Temple. It has 165 rooms and lockers available for the devotees.
DWARAVATI BHAKTANIWAS
The influx of Sai devotees from all over the country as well
as from all corners of the world is increasing day by day. The existing accommodation of the Sansthan was insufficient, to cope up the demand of devotees. Therefore, Sansthan has constructed the new Bhakta-Niwas Dwaravati, the four storied building of 320 rooms. All 80 rooms on the fourth floor are air conditioned. The parking arrangement for vehicles, Pollution free atmosphere, scenic campus are the main features of this new building.
PRASADALAYA FOR SAI DEVOTEES
Shri Saibaba Sansthan has carried on the pious work of Anna-dana started by Saibaba. Today thousands of devotees take advantage of this delicious prasad at a nominal rate. Yearly crores of devotees are benefitted by this provision of meals. The Sansthan spends an amount of Rs.30+ crore every year on the Prasadalaya which itself is proving as a great attraction for Sai devotees to have Baba’s prasad.
RAILWAY TICKET OFFICE
Nearest to the Parayan Hall for the services of the Sai devotee, computerised ‘Railway Ticket Office’ is started. Tickets to travel anywhere in India are available here. Reservation position of the earlier booked tickets also can be obtained from here. This reservation counter works from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm.
RAILWAY STATION
The new Sainagar Railway Station facility for Shirdi is started. The up and down services for Shirdi from Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Chennai have been started. Many of the Express Trains have extended their route from Manmad to Shirdi.
AIRPORT
For Air Travellers, an Airport of Aurangabad is 100 kms away from Shirdi, provides the flight for Delhi and Mumbai. Pune is 200 kmw and Mumbai is 290 kms from Shirdi. Airport Authority of Maharashtra Govt. has taken keen initiative for establishment of an international level Airport for the world famous Saibaba’s Shirdi. The work has been started at kakadi village, 8 kms away from Shirdi on more than 600
acres of land. This project is worth of Rs.300 crores.
Dr. Kumar Annavarapu
M.A.(His);M.A.(Soci);M.Phil;B.L;P.G..D.P.R.;Ph.D
5707, IVY Summit Court,
Cumming, GA -30041,
United States of America
Cell :770-905-5192
Res: 678-799-9466
