SAI BABA TEMPLE
AT
SHRIDI
Sai Baba, one of the foremost saints of modern India, lived in the small village of Shirdi in the state of Maharashtra for sixty years. Due to his presence there even after his Samadhi, today the small village has transformed itself as a great spiritual center to people from all religions. Shri Sai Baba, inspite of his great spiritual stature, never publicized himself through discoursing, touring and preaching—unlike today’s many ‘so-called’ saints.
Shirdi town is situated in Rahata Tahasil in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra State (India). It is located at 19o45′ North Latitude and 74o25′ East Longitude. It falls on Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10 at 83 Km. from Ahmednagar, and 15 Km. from Kopargaon. It (the Ahmednagar -Manmad road) was a very busy route in the old times. It is located at 185 Km. to the East from Western Seashore line.
India attracts millions of devotees of all religions, castes and creed who come to pay homage to Shri Sai Baba. The temple is a beautiful shrine that was built over the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba. Thursday is the day Saibaba is specially worshipped. On this day devotees from all over India visit Shirdi for Darshan of Saibaba.
The Temple opens for devotees at 5.15 a.m. (0515 hrs) with Kakad Aarti and remains open till the end of Shejarti. For more on Puja timings. For devotees across the globe, there are arrangements to get Pujas conducted on their behalf and the prasad sent to them. Shirdi is well connected by road. There are also a few religious places of tourist interest in and around Shirdi. Shirdi Saibaba Temple is managed by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan since 1922. The trust ensures that a strict code of conduct is maintained in the temple premises.
The SAI BABA has done many miracles of his Lifetime. The villagers of Shirdi and afar soon found out that this was no ordinary fakir but an avatar (incarnation) of a very high order. He demonstrated through his miracles and utterances, the purpose and intention for which he had come. He would often say, “My Leela is inscrutable”. To each one he met, he imparted knowledge according to the capacity of the recipient to absorb it.
Some Assurance Of SAIBABA are like wise : If you look at me I look at you.. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it.. There shall be no want in the house of my devotees.. If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.. and many more Sai baba gave.
Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur, a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. Gopalrao wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the Mandir became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba.
Samadhi Mandir
The 15th October 1918 was a sorrowful and fateful day for the little village of Shirdi, for in the heavy hours of the noon, the beloved master suddenly breathed his last. Quietly and unobrusively, Baba gave up his body and let his head fall gently on the shoulders of a near disciple. The great "Avtar's" glorious period of Messiahship, his self allotted labour of love, came to an abrupt end. All the magic light seemed to have died out that erestwhile had given to thousands of seekers courage and hope and inspiration. In a moment all the chambers of the ashram seemed emptied of delight and a strange desolation filled each heart. But not for long......for, resurrection ever keeps pace with and outlives the forces of death and destruction. The great Avtar of Love and Compassion gave up his body so that his spirit may be ressurected in the hearts of thousands of his ever-growing bhaktas.
Source:shirdisaiashram
