Complete Guide for first time visitor to Shirdi .

Complete Guide for first time visitor to Shirdi .

Dear All
Sai bhakt Rohit has collected intricate details and information on Shirdi and related places.This was one of the details that I had also though to compile and put in the blog but somehow was not able to do so . I am really very thankful to Rohit for doing this post and putting his hard work and time and providing all of us with great details . There were many questions pouring related to Shirdi visit and I consider this post as very good guide for devotees who are goingfirst time to Shirdi or even if they are a regular visitor -as many changes have taken place in Shirdi in last 2 years .These details can serve as good guide .I thank Rohit once again .Jai Sai Ram.
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THE FOLLOWING IS A SHIRDI TEMPLE GUIDE MAP EASILY AVAILABLE ON THE NET, BUT HAVE TAKEN THE LIBERTY TO MODIFY IT BY LABELING "A to Z" ALPHABETS AGAINST SMALL "x" MARKS TO ENABLE YOU TO FIND THE EXACT SPOT OF THE CORRESPONDING PLACE IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES.

"SHIRDI TEMPLE PREMISES GUIDE MAP"

A (On the Manmad / Nagar Main Road) - QUEUE FOR "MUKH DARSHAN" ONLY & ROAMING IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES EXCEPT LENDI BAGH & BABA'S WELL.

A (On the Pimpalwadi Road) - DEVOTEES ENTRANCE NEAR MAIN GATE NO.2, FOR SAMADHI DARSHAN FOR ALL DEVOTEES WITHOUT PASSES. THE ARROWS IN THE DARSHAN QUEUE HALLS - THE DIRECTION DEVOTEES HAVE TO MOVE TO REACH THE SAMADHI TEMPLE.

B - MAIN GATE NO.1

C - THE P.R.O OFFICE .

D - MAIN GATE NO.2 (CLOSED...NOT USED NOW)

E - SHIRDI SANSTHAN`S BOOK STORE FOR SELLING BABA`S BOOKS, CALENDARS, VCD / DVD etc.

F - THE "SHREE SAI SATYAVRAT POOJA HALL"

G - "SHREE SAI SANSTHAN EMPLOYEES CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD, SHIRDI" STALL .

H - DURING PEAK PERIODS, ENTRY GATE FOR N.R.I / FOREIGN NATIONALS / V.I.P`s .

I - SHOP SELLING POOJA ITEMS / MUSTARD OIL & SWEET PRASAD TOO .

J - HUGE WINDOWS FOR A VIEW OF THE DARSHAN QUEUE GOING DOWN THE STAIRS .

K - DURING PEAK PERIODS ITS THE SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED / PHYSICALLY DISABLED DEVOTEES SPECIAL ENTRY GATE.

L - MAIN GATE NO.3 .

M - "THE SHREE SAIBABA SANSTHAN TRUST MOBILE CLOAKROOM"

N - "SAI-COMPLEX" COMMERCIAL SHOPPING COMPLEX .

O - "DAKSHIN-MUKHI MARUTI TEMPLE" (UNDER RE-CONSTRUCTION AS IN JUNE 2009) .

P - ABDUL BABA`S COTTAGE

Q - ENTRY FOR "MUKH DARSHAN" OF BABA`S IDOL.(ONE CANNOT GO TOWARDS BABA`S SAMADHI FROM HERE) .

R - EXIT AFTER DARSHAN AND DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS ITS THE SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED / DISABLED DEVOTEES ENTRY GATE .

S - DONATION OFFICE .

T - "ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION" - (FORMER UDHI / PRASAD DISTRIBUTION ROOM) .

U - TELEVISION IN THE OPEN AIR THEATRE FOR DEVOTEES STANDING OUT TO HAVE LIVE DARSHAN .

V - WATER COOLER JUST BESIDES THE OPEN AIR THEATRE, FOR DEVOTEES TO DRINK THE BLESSED WATER OF BABA`S HOLY BATH .

W - REAR EXIT DOOR AFTER DARSHAN AND DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS ITS THE ENTRY GATE FOR V.I.P PASS HOLDERS .

X - "SAIBABA`S MUSEUM" .

Y - UDHI / PRASAD DISTRIBUTION ROOM ( NEXT TO ABDUL BABAS / NANAVALIS / TATYAS SAMADHI ) .

Z - MAIN GATE NO.4 .

THE BLACK LINE DRAWN FROM GATE NO.4 CUTTING ACROSS LENDI BAGH UPTO THE EXIT AT MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD - STEEL BARRICADED PASSAGE SEPARATING LENDI BAGH FROM NANDADEEP.

CANDLES - PLACE IN NANDADEEP WHERE DEVOTEES CAN MAKE WISHES & LIGHT CANDLES
Gate No-1
ON THE WEST SIDE IS "GATE NO.1" ON THE MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD AND IS USED ONLY AS AN ENTRY GATE INTO THE TEMPLE PREMISES AND OR FOR BABA`S MUKH DARSHAN i.e., DARSHAN OF BABA`S FACE FROM A DISTANCE (FROM, NEAR THE RAISED PLATFORM BEHIND IN THE TEMPLES SANCTUM).

AFTER, ENTERING THROUGH GATE NO.1, ONE CAN FREELY ROAM IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES i.e, CAN TAKE UDHI, SEE ABDUL BABA`S / TATYAS & NANAVALIS SAMADHI, SAIBABA`S MUSEUM AND CAN GO STRAIGHT UP TO DWARKAMAI BUT CANNOT GO TO LENDI BAGH OR BABA`S WELL. THIS GATE NO.1 IS OPPOSITE THE TEMPLES P.R.O OFFICE AND BESIDES NANDA-DEEP. ONE CANNOT MAKE AN EXIT FROM THIS GATE.

MAIN GATE NO.2

ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TEMPLE, ON THE PIMPALWADI ROAD, IS MAIN GATE NO.2 WHICH WAS EARLIER USED AS AN ENTRY & EXIT GATE BUT AT PRESENT IS CLOSED & NOT IN USE. INSTEAD, JUST BESIDES IT ON THE PIMPALWADI ROAD ITSELF IS THE ENTRY GATE FOR ALL DEVOTEES WITHOUT ANY PASSES. THIS ENTRY TAKES ONE DIRECTLY INTO THE FIRST WAITING HALL FROM WHERE THE DARSHAN QUEUES, AFTER MOVING ALONG THROUGH SPIRALING LONG STRETCH OF STEEL BARRICADED HALLS & BY STAIRS UP & DOWN, FINALLY LEADS UPTO THE SAMADHI OF BABA.

MAIN GATE NO.3

ON THE EAST SIDE, IN THE LANE GOING INSIDE FROM THE PIMPALWADI ROAD IS "GATE NO.3" WHICH IS USED MAINLY FOR EXIT OUT OF THE TEMPLE PREMISES TOWARDS DAKSHIN MUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE & BABA`S SHRI CHAVADI.

IF ONE ENTERS THROUGH THIS GATE, ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE COMES THE "MUKH DARSHAN" ENTRY WHILE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE IS AN ENTRANCE USED FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS SPECIAL ENTRY DURING PEAK PERIODS.

THIS GATE IS ALSO USED AS AN ENTRY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS / PHYSICALLY DISABLED & AGED DEVOTEES WHO ARE UNABLE TO WALK.

LUCKY TIP - ONE NORMAL ADULT IS ALLOWED TO ESCORT THEIR AGED / HANDICAPPED DEPENDENT FAMILY MEMBER BY THIS GATE & A DEPENDENT KID CAN ALSO GO ALONG IF HE / SHE HAS NO ONE ELSE TO ACCOMPANY HIM / HER.

IF LUCKY ENOUGH, THEN N.R.I & FOREIGN NATIONALS CAN TOO MAKE AN ENTRY BY THIS GATE IF THEY SHOW THE GUARDS THE PROOF OF THEIR NATIONALITY OR NRI STATUS i.e., PASSPORT COPIES etc

Main Gate No.4

ON THE SOUTH SIDE IS "GATE NO.4" WHICH IS MAINLY USED FOR SOUTH EXIT OUT OF THE TEMPLE PREMISES.

TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THIS EXIT THERE ARE SHOPS WHICH LEAD UP TO DWARKAMAI WHEREAS THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS EXIT THERE ARE SHOPS WHICH LEAD UP TO THE MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD.

THIS GATE NO.4 IS ALSO USED AS AN ENTRY, WITH A STEEL BARRICADED PASSAGE SEPARATING LENDI BAGH AND NANDADEEP IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IF DEVOTEES ENTER BY THIS GATE THEN THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY MOVE TOWARDS LENDI BAGH, BABAS WELL AND THEN STRAIGHT OUT OF THE TEMPLE PREMISES TO THE MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD.

SO, IF FROM LENDI BAGH IF ONE WANTS TO GO TO NANDADEEP, THEN THEY WILL HAVE TO GO STRAIGHT OUT OF THE TEMPLE PREMISES AND THEN AGAIN ENTER THE TEMPLE FROM GATE NO.1 FOR NANDADEEP.

THIS GATE NO.4 IS BANG OPPOSITE THE SAMADHIS OF NANAVALI / ABDUL BABA / & TATYA PATIL.

"DARSHAN PASSES"

DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS

AT NORMAL TIMES, WHEN THERE IS NOT MUCH RUSH OF DEVOTEES IN THE TEMPLE, THE N.R.I`s / FOREIGN NATIONALS & THE V.I.P`s CAN APPROACH THE P.R.O. OFFICE DIRECTLY TO ARRANGE FOR THE DARSHAN PASSES FOR WHICH THEY WILL HAVE TO SHOW THE ORIGINAL OR COPIES OF THE PROOF OF THEIR NATIONALITY i.e, PASSPORT / GREEN CARD OR ANY OTHER PROOF OF RESIDENCE TO THE SANSTHAN'S P.R.O OFFICER (FOR SAFETY REASONS THEY SHOULD CARRY COPIES OF THEIR ORIGINAL PROOF OF RESIDENCE DOCUMENTS) WHEREAS, THE V.I.P`s WILL HAVE TO SHOW A REQUEST FOR DARSHAN PASSES LETTER FROM ANY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AUTHORITY OR ANY HIGH RANKING INDIAN OFFICIAL etc.

NORMALLY, THE N.R.I`s / FOREIGN NATIONALS TOGETHER WITH THE SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED / DISABLED ARE ALLOWED ENTRY DIRECTLY INTO THE SAMADHI SHRINE BY THE SPECIAL GATE BANG OPPOSITE THE FORMER UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM (MARKED AS "R" IN THE ABOVE TEMPLE MAP) WHILE THE V.I.P`s HAVE TO ENTER BY THE REAR EXIT DOOR OF THE SAMADHI SHRINE (MARKED AS "W" IN THE ABOVE TEMPLE MAP)

IF THE V.I.P IS A SENIOR / DISABLED THEN EVEN HE /SHE CAN GO FOR DARSHAN WITH THE OTHER SENIOR CITIZENS FROM THE SENIOR CITIZENS ENTRY GATE.

ALSO, APART FOR DARSHAN PASSES, ONE CAN CONTACT THE SANSTHAN P.R.O. OFFICE FOR ANY GUIDANCE AND OTHER INFORMATION TOO.

DURING PEAK PERIODS

WHEN THERE IS A HUGE INFLOW OF DEVOTEES IN THE TEMPLE - DURING FESTIVALS & OCCASIONS / SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS / OTHER PEAK PERIODS NO DARSHAN PASSES ARE ISSUED WHAT-SO-EVER, DUE TO THE HEAVY RUSH OF DEVOTEES. SO, ONE WILL MOSTLY FIND THE DEPARTMENT WHICH ISSUES DARSHAN PASSES, IN THE P.R.O OFFICE, CLOSED.

SO HOW DO THE N.R.I`s OR FOREIGN NATIONALS OR V.I.P`s GET AN ENTRY DURING PEAK PERIODS? WELL, THE TEMPLE GUARDS ARE QUITE UNDERSTANDING, SO IF THE N.R.I`s / FOREIGN NATIONALS SHOW THEM THEIR PROOF OF NATIONALITY, THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE TEMPLE NOT DIRECTLY, BUT BY A SEPARATE ENTRANCE BY WHICH THEY WILL BE CUTTING OUT QUITE A LARGE PORTION OF THE DARSHAN QUEUE.

THE V.I.P`s TOO CAN SHOW THE SPECIAL PASSES REQUEST LETTER OF ANY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AUTHORITY / ANY HIGH RANKING INDIAN OFFICIAL etc TO THE TEMPLE GUARDS SO AS TO BE ALLOWED A SPECIAL ENTRY.

P.S - THE ONUS LIES WITH THE GUARD TO ALLOW OR REJECT ANY DEVOTEES REQUEST FOR ENTRY THROUGH THE SPECIAL GATE.

MOSTLY, THIS SPECIAL GATE FOR THEM IS THE GATE OPPOSITE THE THREE TEMPLES OF LORD SHANI / LORD GANESHA & LORD MAHADEV (MARKED AS "H" ABOVE IN THE TEMPLE MAP).

HOWEVER, THIS GATE MAY DIFFER DEPENDING UPON THE DEVOTEES RUSH AT THAT GIVEN PERIOD. BUT IF THE N.R.I / FOREIGN NATIONAL OR THE V.I.P IS A SENIOR / AGED / HANDICAPPED THEN THEY ALSO DO NOT NEED ANY SPECIAL PASS AS THEY CAN ENTER THE TEMPLE BY THE SPECIAL ENTRY GATE MEANT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS (MARKED AS "K" ABOVE IN THE TEMPLE MAP). THIS GATE MAY ALSO DIFFER DEPENDING UPON THE DEVOTEES RUSH AT THAT GIVEN PERIOD.

FOR DARSHAN PASSES / GUIDANCE ONE CAN CONTACT THE P.R.O OFFICE DIRECTLY :

IN SHIRDI -
Executive Officer,
Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi
Post. Shirdi 423 109 Tal. Rahata,
Dist. Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) Phone : +91-2423-258500 (I.V.R)
Fax No. Office:+91-2423- 258870 & P.R.O.Office : +91-2423-258770
Website : www.shrisaibabasansthan.org & www.sai.org.in
E_mail : saibaba@sai.org.in & saisandesh_anr@sancharnet.in saibaba@shrisaibabasansthan.org

IN MUMBAI THEN -
(AT PRESENT SHIRDI SANSTHAN`S MUMBAI BRANCH DOES NOT ISSUE DARSHAN PASSES BUT IN TIME TO COME, THEY MIGHT ALSO DO SO)
Executive Officer,
Shri Sai baba Sansthan Trust, (Shirdi)
'Sai Niketan', 804-8,
Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar,
Mumbai - 400014
Tel : +91- 22 - 24166556/ 24161293
Fax: +91- 22 - 24150798
E-mail : saidadar@bom3.vsnl.net.in

DARSHAN PASSES PROCEDURE :

ALL N.R.I`s / FOREIGN NATIONAL`s / VIP`s OR THE ONES REGISTERED FOR A PASS AT THE P.R.O OFFICE, CAN HAVE DARSHAN WITH SPECIAL PASSES ALSO CALLED THE V.I.P PASSES. THESE PASSES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE P.R.O. OFFICE IN THE SHIRDI TEMPLE PREMISES ITSELF FOR WHICH ONE HAS TO GO IN ADVANCE (SOONER THE BETTER...ATLEAST A DAY IN ADVANCE) & GET HIS / HER NAME REGISTERED FOR THE PASS WHILST SPECIFYING WHICH AARTI PASSES ARE NEEDED BY HIM / HER i.e, KAKAD AARTI, MADHYAN AARTI, DHOOP AARTI OR SHEJ AARTI.

ALSO, TO BE SPECIFIED IN ADVANCE, IS THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS GOING TO ACCOMPANY HIM / HER ON THAT PASS, AS ACCORDINGLY ONLY THOSE NUMBER OF DEVOTEES WITH THAT MEMBER WILL BE GIVEN ENTRY FOR DARSHAN IN THE TEMPLE.

ANY EXTRA MEMBER OF THE PASS HOLDER IS REFUSED ENTRY FOR DARSHAN, IF NOT REGISTERED BEFORE HAND AT THE P.R.O. THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS ACCOMPANYING ONE SINGLE PASS DIFFERS DEPENDING UPON THE RUSH BUT IS USUALLY BETWEEN 6-10 MAX.

IF THE N.R.I.`s WANT TO ARRANGE FOR PASSES BEFORE THEY TOUCH DOWN IN INDIA, THEY CAN CONSULT THE SANSTHAN P.R.O.FOR THE PROCEDURE IF POSSIBLE OR THEY SHOULD HAVE SOME REPRESENTATIVE IN INDIA OR SHIRDI TO ARRANGE FOR THE SAME BEFORE HAND.

P.S- THE P.R.O. IS NOT OPEN THE WHOLE DAY BUT HAS SPECIFIC TIMINGS, SO PLEASE ACCORDINGLY BE THERE TO ARRANGE FOR YOUR PASSES IN ADVANCE.

MY WISH - THE SYSTEM OF ALL DARSHAN PASSES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED WHAT-SO-EVER AND BE IT POLITICIANS / ACTORS / V.I.P`s / N.R.I`s / FOREIGNERS ANYBODY SO TO SPEAK, LET EVERYONE STAND IN THE NORMAL QUEUE FOR DARSHAN. AS PASSES IS DISCRIMINATING BETWEEN SECTS OF PEOPLE...A THING WHICH BABA NEVER PREACHED.

SO "DON`T GIVE PASSES BUT GIVE PREFERENCE" ALL PHYSICALLY DISABLED / TERMINALLY ILL / AGED & SENIOR CITIZENS SHOULD BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE FOR DARSHAN.

MY VIEW - KARMICALLY SPEAKING, THE PASS HOLDERS EAT AWAY SOME OF THEIR GOOD KARMAS BY ARRANGING A SMOOTH-n-EASY DARSHAN FOR THEMSELVES UP AGAINST THE OTHER DEVOTEES STANDING FOR HOURS IN QUEUE`S ONLY TO BE BACK-DROPPED DURING DARSHAN IN THE MAIN SANCTUM.

SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED / PHYSICALLY DISABLED

ALL SENIOR CITIZENS / PHYSICALLY DISABLED & AGED DEVOTEES NOW DO NOT REQUIRE ANY SPECIAL PASSES FOR DARSHAN AS THEY ARE GIVEN DIRECT ENTRY TO THE TEMPLE FROM A SEPARATE GATE BY WHICH THEY CUT OUT THE LONG STANDING IN QUEUES. THIS SPECIAL ENTRY GATE FOR SENIORS / AGED DEVOTEES CHANGES DEPENDING UPON THE INFLOW OF DEVOTEES. IN NORMAL PERIODS, WHEN IT ISN`T MUCH CROWDED, THE SENIOR CITIZENS ARE ALLOWED DIRECTLY INSIDE THE MAIN TEMPLE BY THE ENTRY OPPOSITE THE FORMER UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM, NOW THE ANNOUNCEMENT ROOM.

BUT DURING HOLIDAY SEASONS / FESTIVALS & OTHER PEAK TIMES WHEN A LARGE NUMBER OF DEVOTEES TURN UP FOR DARSHAN, THE ENTRY GATE FOR THE SENIOR / DISABLED DEVOTEES CHANGES TOO i.e, AT PRESENT IT IS A GATE JUST BENEATH THE WIDE GATE NO.3 STRUCTURE ITSELF AND OPPOSITE A BLACK COLORED GRANITE NOTICE BOARD. WHEN ONE ENTERS THROUGH GATE NO.3, ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE FALLS THE "MUKH DARSHAN" GATE & ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE WAS THE FORMER SHOE STAND AREA AND JUST ADJACENT TO THIS FORMER SHOE STAND AREA IS THE SENIOR CITIZENS ENTRY GATE.

DURING PEAK PERIODS, HOWEVER, EVEN AFTER GETTING A ENTRY FOR DARSHAN FROM THE SPECIAL ENTRY GATE, THE SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED HAVE YET TO WALK DOWN A FEW STAIRS WHERE THEY JOIN THE PASS HOLDERS & THE REST OF THE OTHER DEVOTEES, WITH WHOM THEY THEN CLIMB UP A FEW STAIRS TO FINALLY REACH BABA`S SAMADHI SANCTUM. THE QUEUE FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS DEVOTEES STARTS FROM JUST OUTSIDE THE SQUARE WINDOWS (FROM WHERE ONE CAN SEE THE DARSHAN QUEUE GOING DOWN-STAIRS) OPPOSITE THE DONATION OFFICE.

IF THE SENIOR CITIZEN IS UNABLE TO GO ALONE DUE TO ANY DISABILITY OR ILLNESS OR IS ON WHEEL CHAIR THEN ANY ONE FAMILY MEMBER (YOUNG OR OLD) IS ALLOWED TO ACCOMPANY HIM /HER THROUGH THIS SENIOR CITIZENS GATE. AND, IF THIS RESULTS IN ANY DEPENDENT MINOR WHO IS WITH THEM TO BE LEFT ALONE, THEN THAT MINOR TOO IS ALLOWED TO GO WITH HIS / HER FAMILY THROUGH THIS ENTRY. BUT MIND YOU, THE GUARDS ARE QUITE SMART TO CATCH ANY SENIOR CITIZEN FAKING ANY DIFFICULTY TO WALK OR GO ALONE SO AS TO TAG ALONG A FAMILY MEMBER WITH THEM.

MY WISH - IRRESPECTIVE OF THE SEASON / TIME AND THE AMOUNT OF DEVOTEE INFLOW, ALL SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED / PHYSICALLY DISABLED DEVOTEES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENTER BY THE GATE BANG OPPOSITE THE ANNOUNCEMENT ROOM (FORMER UDI ROOM) LIKE BEFORE.

"MUKH-DARSHAN"

FOR DEVOTEES WHO WANT TO JUST HAVE A DARSHAN OF BABAS SAMADHI IDOL FROM FAR, THEY CAN ENTER THE TEMPLE FROM A DOOR- MARKED AS "Q" ON THE SHIRDI GUIDE MAP ABOVE. THIS ENTRY IS JUST AT THE BEGINNING OF MAIN GATE NO.3 ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. aND AS ONE ENTERS BY THIS DOOR, HE / SHE STANDS BETWEEN A STEEL BARRICADED PASSAGE BETWEEN THE FRONT & BACK SIDE OF THE TEMPLE, LIKE AN AISLE, SO, ONE CANNOT GO FROM THIS PLACE OF MUKH DARSHAN FORWARD FOR SAMADHI DARSHAN. HE WILL HAVE TO EXIT FROM THIS "MUKH DARSHAN" ENTRY DOOR AND GO AND STAND IN THE DARSHAN QUEUE IF HE WANTS TO DO SO.
DARSHAN WAITING HALLS
THE HALLS WHERE THE QUEUES LINE UP SPIRALING ACROSS THE STEEL BARRICADES HAVE WATER COOLERS AND ADEQUATE SEATING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE DEVOTEES. ALSO, PRESENT ARE TELEVISION SETS FOR DEVOTEES TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON INSIDE THE SANCTUM WHILE THEY WAIT IN QUEUES FOR HOURS. AND MOSTLY ALL THE TIME DEVOTEES ARE CHANTING BABA`S NAME WHILE WAITING WHICH TOO IS VERY DIVINE.

DAKSHIN MUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE (MARUTI MANDIR) THE DAKSHIN MUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED AND A NEW TEMPLE IS BEING CONSTRUCTED IN ITS PLACE. THE IDOLS OF HANUMAN & OTHER GODS HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY SHIFTED TO THE GROUND FLOOR OF A BUILDING OPPOSITE IT, ADJOINING THE "SHREE CHAVADI". IT IS BEHIND THE SIGNBOARD OF SOME "ANAND GUEST HOUSE".

"SHREE CHAVADI"


BABA`S "SHREE CHAVADI" HAS NOW BEEN DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS. THE LEFT PORTION IS "FOR LADIES" ONLY WHILE THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ONE IS "ONLY FOR GENTS" WHERE NO LADIES ARE ALLOWED AS WAS BEFORE, SINCE LONG.

"SAIBABA MUSEUM"

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO VISIT THE "SAIBABA MUSEUM" JUST BESIDES THE DIXIT WADA. IT HAS MANY ITEMS WHICH WERE ACTUALLY USED BY BABA HIMSELF i.e, HIS UTENSILS, KAFNI, GRAMOPHONE RECORD`S & PLAYER, HIS CHILLUM, A BIG PALAQUIN WHICH WAS GIFTED TO BABA BUT NEVER USED BY HIM, ALL THE PALKHI PROCESSION THINGS, BABA'S PADUKAS, HIS WHEAT GRINDING STONE, TWO POTS WITH WHICH HE COOKED & FED THE HUNGRY, THE COT ON WHICH BABA`S LAST BATHING TOOK PLACE AFTER HIS DEMISE, BABA`S ORIGINAL CHIMTA, THE EARTHEN WARE WITH HE USED TO ASK FOR FOOD etc. THIS MUSEUM IS SPREAD ON THE GROUND AS WELL AS THE FIRST FLOOR.

LADU PRASAD

THE SWEET LADU PRASAD SALE COUNTER IS NOW LOCATED TO THE NORTHERN SIDE OF "SAI PRASAD" BUILDING NO.2 NEAR THE CAR PARKING.
THE TIMINGS FOR THE SALE OF THESE LADU PRASAD IS 06:00 AM TO 10:00 PM (22:00Hrs)
UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM


THE OLD UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM WHICH WAS BANG OPPOSITE THE MAIN ENTRY OF THE SAMADHI TEMPLE AND ADJOINING THE DONATION OFFICE IS NOW CONVERTED INTO AN "ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION" ROOM.

THE NEW PRASAD / UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM IS NOW LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO TATYA KOTE PATILS SAMADHI, OPPOSITE SOUTH GATE NO.4. THE TIMINGS FOR UDHI DISTRIBUTION ARE - 07:00AM To 11:30AM, 13:00PM To 18:00PM AND 19:00PM To 22:00PM

AFTER DHOOP AARTI THE LINE FOR TAKING UDHI ALSO GOES TO QUITE A STRETCH AND ONLY ONE SMALL PACKET OF UDHI IS GIVEN TO EACH DEVOTEE SO REFRAIN FROM ASKING FOR ANOTHER.
NANDADEEP


DEVOTEES CAN MAKE WISHES & LIGHT CANDLES OR DIYAS IN FRONT OF NANDADEEP, ON THE GRILL FENCING OPPOSITE IT. AS, BABA TOO EVERY EVENING WOULD LIGHT A DIYA HERE. ALSO, THERE ARE TWO TREES - NEEM & PIPAL TREE, BESIDES THE PLACE WHERE BABA USED TO LIGHT A DIYA. ONE OF WHICH DUE ITS HEIGHT OR GROWTH, HAS BEEN CHOPPED OFF BY THE TRUNK ITSELF FROM THE TOP AND ALL THAT'S LEFT IS A HUGE LOG (TREE TRUNK) WHICH WILL BUT NATURALLY TAKE SOME TIME TO GROW BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL FORM.

MY VIEW - WONDER WHAT HAVE THEY DONE WITH THE CHOPPED PORTION OF THE TREE AS, I THINK WE DEVOTEES WOULD HAVE TREASURED EVEN ONE LEAF OR TWIG OF BABA`S BLESSED TREE.

SHOE STAND

THERE ARE SHOE STANDS JUST OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE WHERE ONE CAN KEEP THEIR FOOTWEAR FOR A VERY NOMINAL CHARGE, IN EXCHANGE FOR A TOKEN. BUT MANY DEVOTEES REMOVE THEIR FOOTWEAR INSIDE THE TEMPLE PREMISES ITSELF IN ANY CORNER OR BELOW SOME STRUCTURE. IT IS CONVENIENT BUT NOT CORRECT TO DO SO AS THESE PLACES ARE NOT MEANT TO PARK ONE`S FOOTWEAR, SO THEY MIGHT BE BRUSHED ASIDE BY ANYONE OR EVEN MIGHT GO MISSING FROM THERE. SO REMOVE THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK INSIDE THE TEMPLE PREMISES.

TELEVISION - LIVE DARSHAN

TELEVISION SETS TELECASTING LIVE IMAGES FROM THE SAMADHI SHRINE`S INNER SANCTUM & DWARKAMAI DIRECTLY, HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE ENTIRE TEMPLE PREMISES, INSIDE & OUTSIDE THE SAMADHI SHRINE ALSO, FOR DEVOTEES WHO CANNOT MAKE IT INSIDE AND BELIEVE ME WATCHING THE KAKAD AARTI ON THE TV SETS ESPECIALLY IN THE OPEN AIR THEATER IS MORE FUN AS YOU GET GOOD CLOSE UPS AND BETTER VIEW SITTING COMFORTABLY RATHER THAN FROM INSIDE WHERE DUE TO THE RUSH ONE HARDLY CAN GET A CLEAR VIEW OF BABA WHILE THE AARTI OR MANGAL SNAN GOES ON.

OPEN AIR THEATRE


THE OPEN AIR THEATRE, IS A OPEN SPACE STANDING FROM WHERE DEVOTEES CAN HAVE A VIEW OF BABA`S SAMADHI IDOL THRU A WINDOW. ALSO, PRESENT HERE IS A TELEVISION SET FOR DEVOTEES TO ENJOY THE LIVE DARSHAN OF BABA WHILE ANY AARTI / PROGRAMME GOES ON INSIDE THE SAMADHI SANCTUM. THIS OPEN AIR THEATRE WAS ONCE A RAISED PLATFORM WITH A GARDEN & FOUNTAIN BEHIND IT, HAS NOW CHANGED TOO. THE RAISED PORTION HAS BEEN REMOVED LEAVING BEHIND A FLOOR LEVEL TILED GROUND MINUS THE GARDEN, FOUNTAIN & THE WATER FALLS.

MY VIEW - THERE SHOULD BE A COUPLE OF BENCHES TO SIT IN THIS OPEN AIR THEATRE AS THIS IS THE ONLY OPEN SPACE IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES WHERE ONE CAN SIT BUT AS IT IS GROUND LEVEL SO A BIT DIFFICULT FOR AGED/SENIORS TO SIT DOWN. THAT`S WHY NOW ONE CAN FIND DEVOTEES SITTING ON THE TWO LONG STRETCH OF STAIRS IN THE GURUSTHAN AREA AND ALSO, OPPOSITE NEAR THE DIXIT WADA GIVING THE PLACE A VERY CROWDED LOOK. THE SMALL COVERING WALL OF THE TWO TREES OPPOSITE THE DONATION OFFICE ARE ALSO ALWAYS FULL OF DEVOTEES SITTING.

SHOPS IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES

"SHREE SAI SANSTHAN EMPLOYEES CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD, SHIRDI" (APPROVED BY SSST, SHIRDI) HAS A STALL INSIDE THE TEMPLE PREMISES FOR SELLING COLD DRINKS / ICE-CREAMS / MINERAL WATER / MASALA MILK / LASSI / PRASAD PEDHA / NAVGRAHA DHOOP ETC.AT VERY NOMINAL PRICES. IT IS SITUATED NEXT TO GATE NO.2 OUTSIDE THE DARSHAN QUEUE HALL.

ALSO, THERE IS A SHOP NEAR THE THREE TEMPLES OF LORD GANESHA, LORD SHANIDEV & LORD MAHADEV.. THIS SHOP SELLS SOME PRASAD & LOTS OF DIFFERENT POOJA ITEMS INCLUDING MUSTARD OIL FOR POURING IT ON LORD SHANIDEV.

"SHREE SAI SATYAVRAT POOJA HALL"

THE "SHREE SAI SATYAVRAT POOJA HALL" IS THE PLACE WHERE ON THE 1st FLOOR BABA`S ABHISHEK POOJA IS DONE BY DEVOTEES AND ON THE GROUND FLOOR DEVOTEES PERFORM THE "SATYANARAYAN POOJA". AFTER REGISTERING THEMSELVES FOR IT AT A VERY NOMINAL CHARGE OF Rs.101/- ONLY.

THE ABHISHEK POOJA TIMINGS ARE AS :
1St BATACH - 7.00 AM to 8.00 AM
2nd BATCH - 9.00 AM to 10.00 AM
3rd BATCH - 12.30 PM to 1.30 PM

"SAI COMPLEX"


AT A PLACE, JUST BESIDES THE TEMPLE COMPLEX, THERE WAS A PRIMARY SCHOOL WHICH NOW HAS BEEN MOVED AWAY AND IN ITS PLACE "SWASTIK GROUP" IS COMING UP WITH AN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX CALLED "SAI COMPLEX" JUST 20 FEET FROM THE GATE OF SHIRDI SAIBABA TEMPLE STARTING FROM OPPOSITE GATE NO.2 STRETCHING RIGHT UP TO THE END OF THE DAKSHIN MUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE OPPOSITE GATE NO.3.

MY VIEW - "WE LOVE SHIRDI IN IT`S SIMPLICITY BUT SEEMS SOON SHIRDI WILL BECOME SIMPLY A CITY" !!!

"MOBILE CLOAKROOM"

BESIDES GATE NO.2 & IN THE LANE LEADING TO THE GATE NO.3 FROM THE PIMPALWADI ROAD IS "THE SHREE SAIBABA SANSTHAN TRUST MOBILE CLOAKROOM" WHERE DEVOTEES HAVE TO DEPOSIT THEIR MOBILES AT A NOMINAL CHARGE OF RS.2/- PER MOBILE. THEY GET A TOKEN IN RETURN AGAINST WHICH THEY CAN GET THEIR MOBILES BACK, AS MOBILES / CAMERAS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE TEMPLE PREMISES.

SAI-PRASADALAYA

THE FACILITY OF PRASAD BHOJAN OF THE "SHRI SAI PRASADALAYA" WHICH WAS SITUATED NEXT TO THE SAMADHI TEMPLE, HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY SHIFTED ON 08th JAN`2009, TO A NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTED BY THE "SHRI SAIBABA SANSTHAN TRUST" & IS LOCATED AT -
"SHRI SAI PRASADALAYA"
BEHIND POLICE STATION, SHIRDI,
NIMGAON SHIV ROAD,
NIMGAON KORHALE,
SHIRDI

"DWARAVATI" BHAKT NIWAS
SHRI SAIBABA SANSTHAN, SHIRDI HAS BUILT A NEW BHAKT NIWAS CALLED "DWARAVATI" WHICH WAS INAUGURATED ON THE MAKAR-SANKRANTI - 14TH JAN`2009 BY SRI SRI RAVISHANKARJI. SHIRDI SANSTHAN HAS SPENT Rs.19 CRORES ON THIS "DWARAVATI" PROJECT WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE 1600 DEVOTEES CONVENIENTLY.

IT HAS 334 SELF-CONTAINED INDEPENDENT & WELL VENTILATED ROOMS, SPREAD OVER FOUR FLOORS AND PACKED WITH ALL THE BASIC AMENITIES. ON THE FOURTH FLOOR THERE ARE 80 ROOMS, ALL OF WHICH ARE AIR-CONDITIONED. THERE IS A LARGE WAITING ROOM FOR DEVOTEES ON THE GROUND FLOOR. THERE IS A BIG PARKING SPACE & BOARDING FACILITIES FOR DRIVERS TOO. "DWARAVATI" HAS FOUR LIFTS WHICH HAVE A CAPACITY OF CARRYING 10 PEOPLE AT A TIME. LATEST TECHNOLOGIES LIKE SOLAR WATER HEATER SYSTEM & RAIN WATER HARVESTING FACILITIES ARE ALSO IMPLEMENTED. "DWARAVATI" HAS A BIG GENERATOR FOR A 24 HOUR UN-INTERRUPTED SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY FOR DEVOTEES RECREATION THERE IS A BIG GARDEN ON THE FRONT SIDE.

CLOSE BY ONLY, IS THE "BHOJAN-SHALA" WHERE THE FOOD IS COOKED USING SOLAR HEATERS & SO, THE FOOD SERVED IS AT VERY NOMINAL RATES. ALSO, LIKE THE OTHER ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE SHIRDI SANSTHAN IN SHIRDI, THERE IS NO ADVANCE BOOKING FOR ROOMS AS ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE ONLY ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS. IT IS SITUATED ON THE MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD, NEAR THE "SHRI SAINATH HOSPITAL".

MESSAGE BOARDS WITHIN THE TEMPLE PREMISES


DONATION BOXES AND WATER DRINKING FACILITIES ARE PLACED EVERYWHERE AROUND THE TEMPLE PREMISES. WHEELCHAIR`S ARE AVAILABLE FOR HANDICAPPED DEVOTEES FOR WHICH ONE CAN CONTACT THE SANSTHAN`S P.R.O. NEAR GATE NO.1 AND NANDA-DEEP.

FOR PRESERVATION OF BABA`S IDOL, MILK, ROSE-WATER, HONEY ETC IS NO MORE USED FOR THE SACRED BATH OF SAIBABA AS PER EXPERTS ADVICE.

PLEASE HANDOVER FLOWERS, GARLANDS TO TEMPLE STAFF BEFORE OR IN THE SAMADHI SHRINE ITSELF. OFFERING OF GARLANDS, PRASAD, OR ANY OTHER ARTICLES SHOULD BE DONE BY DEVOTEES AFTER 07:00 AN AND BEFORE SHEJ AARTI.

HANDLING THE RUSH OF DEVOTEES

OWING TO THE HUGE RUSH OF DEVOTEES IN THE SAMADHI TEMPLE ESPECIALLY DURING KAKAD AARTI & BABAS MANGAL SNAN, TO ACCOMMODATE MORE & MORE DEVOTEES INSIDE THE TEMPLE SANCTUM DEVOTEES ARE NOW REQUESTED TO REMAIN STANDING THROUGH OUT WHILE THE AARTI / MANGAL SNAN GOES ON, AS STANDING OCCUPIES LESS SPACE THAN SITTING SO MORE DEVOTEES CAN BE PULLED INSIDE THE TEMPLE DURING AARTI ETC.

INSIDE THE TEMPLES SANCTUM, GENTS SHOULD TRY TO STAND ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE BARRICADES WHILE IN A QUEUE WHILE THE LADIES SHOULD TRY TO STAND ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE BARRICADES WHILE IN THE QUEUE, SO AS TO GO AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO BABA`S IDOL DURING DARSHAN AND THEN MOVE OUT FROM THE REAR DOOR EXITING TOWARDS THE GURUSTHAN RATHER THAN STANDING TOWARDS THE AISLE AS THEN THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE A "U" TURN AFTER DARSHAN & THEN FROM THE AISLE (CENTRE) PASSING THE NANDI`S IDOL, HE WILL HAVE TO EXIT FROM THE DOOR OPPOSITE THE PRESENT "ANNOUNCEMENT ROOM" WHICH WAS THE FORMER UDHI / PRASAD DISTRIBUTION ROOM.

MY VIEW - AS FIRST STANDING FOR HOURS IN DARSHAN LINE QUEUE / SPIRALING DOWN A FEW HALLWAYS & THEN STANDING THROUGH OUT THE KAKAD ARTI & MANGAL SNAN, CAN BE VERY TIRING, MY PERSONAL ADVICE IS TO AVOID TAKING SMALL KIDS AND AGED PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE TO STAND FOR LONG PERIODS. EVEN BABA WOULD NEVER WANT THIS AS HE TOO COULD NEVER SEE HIS DEVOTEES BEAR PAIN FOR HIM.

AS THERE ARE THREE OPENINGS FOR BOWING DOWN TO DO PRANAM ON BABA`S SAMADHI i.e., ONE FOR LADIES, ONE FOR GENTS AND ONE IN BETWEEN, DEVOTEES BOW DOWN AND TAKE TIME TO GET UP AND MOVE FORWARD THUS DELAYING OTHER DEVOTEES BEHIND, THEREFORE ON THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS, OTHER FESTIVALS / OCCASIONS AND HOLIDAY SEASONS WHEN THERE IS A HUGE FLOW OF DEVOTEES IN SHIRDI, THE THREE OPENINGS ON BABA`S SAMADHI ARE ALSO ENCLOSED WITH GLASS SHIELDS, SO ONE CANNOT BOW DOWN OR TOUCH THE SAMADHI AND SO MOVES ON FASTER. BUT ONE CAN SURELY TOUCH THE OUTER SIDE OF BABA`S SAMADHI WHILE PASSING BY AS BABAS PRESENCE IS EVERYWHERE !

LIKEWISE, SOMETIMES THE DHUNI-MAA PORTION OF DWARKAMAYI, REMAINS CLOSED FOR DARSHAN SO THE DEVOTEES ENTER DWARKAMAYI AND HAVE DARSHAN OF DHUNI MAA AREA WITHOUT CLIMBING THE STEPS AND MOVE AHEAD TOWARDS THE SACRED STONE ON WHICH BABA SAT. THIS ALSO SPEEDS UP THE DARSHAN QUEUE WHICH NOW-A-DAYS GOES ALMOST ALL OUT TO THE MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD !

THE NEW GURUSTHAN, NANDA-DEEP ARE ALSO ENCLOSED IN STEEL BARRICADES TO SPEED UP THE HUGE RUSH OF DEVOTEES.
New Gurusthan
Neem tree

THE TEMPLE GUARDS MIGHT SOUND RUDE WHILE ASKING YOU TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD IN THE DARSHAN LINE BUT REMEMBER THE THOUSANDS OF DEVOTEES WHO ARE STILL WAITING BEHIND YOU FOR THEIR TURN OF DARSHAN AND THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE / PATIENCE THE GUARDS HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH WHILE KEEPING THE FLOW OF DARSHAN GOING SMOOTHLY FOR HOURS & HOURS.

MY VIEW - EVEN THOUGH ANY AARTI OR BABAS MANGAL SNAN IS GOING ON,THE QUEUES OF DEVOTEES SHOULD BE KEPT MOVING FORWARD CONSTANTLY FOR DARSHAN & THEN MOVE OUT SO THAT THE WAITING TIME IN THE LONG QUEUES GETS REDUCED AND MORE PEOPLE GET A CHANCE TO HAVE DARSHAN SOONER THAN BEFORE. AND THEN, THE TIME MADE UP IN KEEPING THE QUEUE MOVING ON CAN BE UTILISED BY ALLOWING DEVOTEES TO BOW THEIR HEADS ON THE SAMADHI FOR SOME TIME WHICH AT PRESENT IS ACTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE.

HOLY TIPS ON KAKAD AARTI MANGAL SNAN


THE HOLY BATH OF BABA NOW ONLY LASTS FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES WITH A BUCKET OR TWO OF HOLY WATER ON THE SAMADHI FIRST FOLLOWED BY A BUCKET ON BABA`S IDOL. THAT'S IT. AND AS SOON AS THIS GETS DONE, DEVOTEES ARE ASKED TO START MOVING AHEAD FOR DARSHAN, EVEN WHILE BABA`S IDOL IS BEING PAT DRY. SO MAKE SURE AS YOU REACH NEAR THE SAMADHI, FEEL THE WATER OF BABA`S MANGAL SNAN FROM THE TOP OF THE SAMADHI OR THE GROUND NEAR IT WHERE SOME WATER USUALLY SPILLS WHILE THE HOLY BATH IS ON.

MY VIEW - FOR THIS ALWAYS LADIES & GENTS WHILE IN QUEUE INSIDE THE TEMPLE SANCTUM SHOULD TRY AND STAND ON THEIR RIGHT AND LEFT RESPECTIVELY SO AS TO REACH THE SIDES OF BABA`S SAMADHI AND GET A CHANCE TO TOUCH THE HOLY WATER OF BABA`S MANGAL SNAN WHICH USUALLY FALLS DOWN ON THE SIDES WHILE THE SNAN GOES ON.

NOW FOR A VERY BLESSED TIP...WANT TO TAKE A SIP OF BABAS MANGAL SNAN`S (HOLY BATH) WATER...THEN READ ON...

IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT INSIDE THE TEMPLE FOR THE KAKAD AARTI & BABA`S MANGAL SNAN OR IF YOU DO MAKE IT INSIDE THE SAMADHI SHRINE FOR KAKAD AARTI BUT ARE PUSHED OUT SOONER THAN YOU THINK, DON'T WORRY AS IT MAY BE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE !

AS JUST BESIDES THE OPEN AIR THEATRE ( TO THE EAST OF DIXIT WADA ) AND JUST OPPOSITE THE REAR EXIT OF THE SAMADHI TEMPLE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE GURUSTHAN EXIT IS AN EMPTY WATER COOLER WHERE THE BLESSED WATER AFTER BABA`S MANGAL SNAN IS POURED IN, FOR THE DEVOTEES TO DRINK.

NOT MANY GET A CHANCE TO HAVE A SIP OF THIS BLESSED WATER ALSO, AS BY THE TIME DEVOTEES START COMING OUT AFTER DARSHAN THIS HOLY WATER IS ALREADY OVER.

SO, THE SOONER YOU CAN MAKE IT TO THIS COOLER, BETTER IT WOULD BE, AS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A SIP OR TWO OF THIS BLESSED WATER.

BUT MAKE SURE THIS HOLY WATER IS NOT SPILLED DOWN AS MOST OF IT USUALLY DOES BECAUSE MANY DEVOTEES JUST PICK THIS COOLER UP AND TILT IT DOWN SO AS TO FILL THEIR BOTTLES ETC BUT IN DOING SO MOST OF THIS HOLY WATER SPILLS & IS WASTED & OTHER DEVOTEES ARE LEFT BEHIND FROM A CHANCE OF GETTING A SIP OF THIS WATER ALSO.

ALSO, JUST AFTER THE KAKAD AARTI IS OVER THERE IS PRASAD MADE OF WHITE BUTTER MIXED WITH SUGAR BEING DISTRIBUTED AT THE PRASAD / UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO TATYA KOTE PATILS SAMADHI, OPPOSITE SOUTH GATE NO.4. SO MAKE SURE, YOU MAKE IT HERE ALSO, AFTER DRINKING THE HOLY WATER OF BABA`S BATH. THIS WHITE BUTTER PRASAD LIKE THE HOLY WATER OF BABA`S BATH IS ALSO VERY LIMITED SO ONLY THE FIRST LUCKY FEW DEVOTEES MAKE IT HERE.
HOLY TIP ON DWARKAMAI

WHEN ONE GOES FOR DARSHAN TO DWARKAMAI, DO NOT FORGET TO HAVE THE BLESSED TEERTH (WATER) FROM THE BLACK COLORED EARTHEN POT KEPT ON A HIGH STAND. THIS POT HAS NO TAP SO WHAT ONE HAS TO DO IS TO USE THE BIG SPOON KEPT ON TOP OF THE POT TO TAKE SOME TEERTHA AND DRINK IT. ONE HAS TO HAVE THIS TEERTH HIMSELF AS NO ONE SERVE`S IT OVER HERE SO, NOT MANY PEOPLE ARE AWARE ABOUT IT SO GO AWAY WITHOUT HAVING A SIP.

BABAS DEVOTEES HOUSES IN SHIRDI VILLAGE GUIDE MAP
MAP SOURCE - http://www.saibaba.com/holyshirdi/

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST - DO NOT FORGET TO GO THE SHIRDI VILLAGE AND VISIT BAIJAMAA`S HOUSE, LAXMIBAI`S HOUSE & HER SAMADHI WHICH IS JUST OUTSIDE OF HER HOUSE, SHYAMAS HOUSE, ABDUL BABAS KUTI & MAHALSAPATIS HOUSE WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE PADUKAS / 3 COINS / SATKA GIVEN BY TO MAHALSAPATI BY BABA HIMSELF....ALL ARE JUST A FEW STEPS STRAIGHT AHEAD OF DWARKAMAI. ALSO, DO NOT FORGET TO SEE THE 5 BLESSED HOUSES THAT BABA TOOK BHIKSHA FROM.

BAYAJABAI`S HOUSE - BABA USED TO STAND ON THE STONE SEEN IN FRONT OF THE DOOR .

SHAMA`S HOUSE ABDUL BABA`S COTTAGE
MAHALSAPATI`S HOUSE
LAXMIBAI SHINDE`S HOUSE WITH HER SAMADHI RIGHT INFRONT OF IT
WHAT ONE CAN DO, IS TO ASK ANY LOCAL PEOPLE / KIDS THERE TO GUIDE THEM AND THEY WILL MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO SO ...THAT'S IT...IN A FEW MINUTES THEY WILL SHOW YOU ALL THE HOUSES, THE NINE COINS GIVEN BY SAIBABA TO LAXMIBAI, THE PLACE WHERE BABA`S SOUL LEFT HIS BODY FOR 3 DAYS, THE SHOP OF THE MAN WHO HAD REFUSED TO GIVE BABA OIL TO BURN DIYA'S IN DIWALI etc etc. THEY ALL ARE CLOSE TO EACH OTHER...JUST WALK STRAIGHT IN THE LANE BANG OPPOSITE THE DWARKAMAI ENTRANCE.

TRY NOT TO VISIT THESE HOUSES IN THE MORNING AS THEY ARE USUALLY CLOSED AT THAT TIME...KEEP THIS VISIT IN THE LATTER PART OF THE DAY. ALSO, FEEL FREE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS HERE, AS PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE MAIN TEMPLE PREMISES BUT OUTSIDE IN THE SHIRDI VILLAGE YOU CAN ACTUALLY TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS.

(BUT THE DO NOT FORGET TO SHARE IT WITH US ALL Hmmm !!!)

"KHANDOBA TEMPLE"


ONCE YOU FINISH OFF WITHIN & AROUND THE TEMPLE PREMISES DO NOT FORGET TO HAVE DARSHAN OF LORD KHANDOBA AT THE KHANDOBA TEMPLE,
JUST CLOSE BY NEAR THE "SHRI SAINATH HOSPITAL" ON THE MAIN ROAD ITSELF. IT HAS THE IDOLS OF LORD KHANDOBA , BANAI & MHALSAI.

Legend of Shirdi Coins

Not many might know that film actor Raj Kapoor and his family had a close association with Shirdi. The Kapoor family as well as the Nanda family, into which the late actor's daughter is married, also hold in high esteem the legend of the nine coins, which finds pride of place in the Shri Sai Satcharitra.
Just what is this legend of the nine coins? There was a woman devotee by the name of Laxmibai Shinde who used to feed the Sai Baba daily. As his last prasad, the sage of Shirdi gave nine coins to her in two installments of five and four each in quick succession on October 15, 1918 -- all belonging to the period of King George V -- just minutes before he attained Samadhi.
Nearly 83 years have passed but the legend lives on. The coins are now in the possession of Shailajamma Patil, grand-daughter of Laxmibai Shinde. ``The nine coins were with my grand-mother till 1963 and she then passed it on to her daughter-in- law. And since 1984, I have been doing daily puja for the nine coins both in the morning and in the evening,'' says Shailajamma.
Here in the Capital recently en route to Hardwar, where she took these coins for puja coinciding with the construction of a temple there, Shailajamma says the coins were given by Shirdi Sai Baba to her grand-mother immediately after Navrathri and even the Sri Sai Satcharitra recognises it as signifying the nine-fold path of Bhakti.
While these coins are under the safe custody of Shailajamma, those who come to know of the sanctity visit her residence to have their darshan. Interestingly, devotees had to go to Kopargaon, a village 9 k.m. from Shirdi to have a darshan of these coins till 1997.

Earlier these coins were preserved in a metallic frame but Ritu Nanda helped in the making of a silver frame,'' informs Shailajamma .
The presentation of the nine silver coins to Laxmibhai Shinde is still recounted in Shirdi by ardent devotees. ``The Baba was very happy with the devotion of my grandmother and he told her that he will make her name known across the seven seas,'' Shailajamma says. There is a firm belief that anything that had Baba's divine touch is a sacred relic and is at par with Baba's potential blessings, hence the veneration for the nine coins.
``While most of the time, these nine coins are kept for public display in my home, they are taken to houses of devotees for conducting a puja whenever required. For example, I have been bringing these coins regularly to the house of the Nandas in New Friends Colony where Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated each year with religious fervour,'' Shailajamma says, adding that anyone who wants to perform a special puja for the nine coins could contact her at goodhari@yahoo. com . Shailajamma now wants to set up an old age home at Shirdi and consecrate the nine coins in a specially built temple inside its premises. ``There is persistent request by devotees who are aware of the legend to have a darshan of the coins. That is why I propose to construct a temple where it can be permanently on public view,'' she says.



bow to shri sai peace be to all

Sai Ganesha

WHO IS THIS SITTING ON BABA'S THRONE & IN DWARKAMAI?

Is it Shri Sai or is it Shri Ganesha?





It's "SHRI SAI GANESHA" !

OM SAI GANESHAY NAMH!!!!!!!

There is nothing sweeter in the world than Divine Name

You must endeavor to understand the principle of Divinity. Nobody in this world can help you in the ways God rushes to your help. Hence surrender yourself to God, and pray for His help. Also devotion to God safeguards your ancient culture. People get haunted by misery and grief when they forget God. Control your emotions. Do not entertain evil thoughts. Develop Love. Love all and all will love you. Sing the glory of God. In doing so, you would have rendered a great help to the whole world. Chant God's Name and make your heart sacred.
om sai ram

not a real picture of sai baba

Shirdi to get 200 Room Bhaktiniwas from Railways

By M.T. Correspondent, Shirdi

If travelling by train to Shirdi, you don't have to travel far for accommodation since Railway is building a 200 Room Accommodation Hotel at Sainagar railway station.

This has been declared by the Central Railway Minister K H Muniyappa. The Minister himself is a devotee of Sai Baba and he and his family are regular visitors in the Sai Temple at Shirdi.

Being a Road & Transport / Highways Development Union Minister in the previous government, on the request of AshokRao Kale, he had approved the project for building Four Bridges over Godavari River Near Kopergaon allocating a budget of Rs 30 Crore.

After being elected as the Railway Minister, K H Muniyappa immediately came to Shirdi to seek Saibaba's blessings.

During this visit, he visited the Shirdi Railway Station and while addressing the media guys there he said that since the station is important for devotees of Saibaba and a large number of devotees visit Shirdi throughout the year he would improve the frequency of trains as well as facilities in the station. Devotees face a lot of issues for accommodation and taking this into consideration Muniyappa declared that the railways would build a 200 room Accommodation campus along with the help of the Shirdi Sai Temple Committee.

A New Train service along this route Loni-Sangamner-Akola-Bhandardar a Dam was requested by the devotees for which the railways commented that they will check its feasibility and then decide on it.

Source - http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4646918.cms

MCCIA suggests introduction of Superfast Trains from Shirdi to Tirupati
29 Jun 2009, 0401 hrs IST, TNN

PUNE: Suggesting the introduction of new trains from Pune to important destinations across the country, the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) has also urged the railway ministry to take up new facilities for cargo movement and passenger amenities.

In a memorandum forwarded to railway minister Mamata Banerjee, the MCCIA has pointed out that the city, a major IT and BT hub and industrial centre, requires additional railway networking and services. Chairman of the railway, road traffic management committee of the MCCIA, Chandmal Parmar, said the suggestions are based on feedback received from citizens and commuters.

Besides suggesting improvement of connectivity between Pune and Mumbai, the MCCIA has pointed out the need for improving connectivity between Pune and Lonavla, and introducing shuttle services between Pune-Daund and Pune to Jejuri, Nira and Satara.

The memorandum has requested creation of separate terminals for suburban trains, and new terminals for fast trains between Pune-Lonavla and between Pune-Daund. It has also stated the need for rail connectivity to Rajgurunagar, where the proposed international airport is to be developed.

The MCCIA has asked for the introducing of a superfast Rajdhani train between Pune and New Delhi, besides introducing superfast trains to Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mangalore, Hubli, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Kanyakumari, and Rameshwaram via Coimbatore and Madurai.
It has also suggested introduction of intercity express to Kolhapur, Shatabdi express to Solapur and Surat, and superfast train between Shirdi and Tirupati. Similarly, it has urged for trains to Jaipur (via Ahmedabad), Jammu Tawi, and Faizabad, besides increasing frequency of the Ahimsa express, Pune-Nagpur Garib Rath, and Poorna express to Ernakulam.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4713474.cms

Credits : Article forwarded by Sai Brother Rohit ji

om sai ram

RAM NAVMI FESTIVAL IN SHIRDI

HAPPY RAM NAVMI

RAMA-NAVAMI FESTIVAL IN SHIRDI

Efficacy of the Touch of Guru’s Hand

Where Real or Sadguru is the helmsman, he is sure to carry us safely and easily beyond the worldly ocean. The word Sadguru brings to mind Sai Baba. He appears to me, as if standing before me, and applying Udi (scared ashes) to my forehead and placing his hand of blessing on my head. Then joy fills my heart and love overflows through my eyes. Wonderful is the power of the touch of Guru’s hand. The subtle-body (consisting of thoughts and desires), which cannot be burnt by the world dissolving fire, is destroyed by the mere touch of the Guru’s hand, and the sins of many past births are cleaned and washed away. Even the speech of those, whose heads feel annoyed when they hear religious and Godly talks, attains calmness. The seeing of Sai Baba’s handsome form, chokes our throat with joy, makes the eyes overflowing with tears, and overwhelms the heart with emotions. It awakens in us ‘I am He (Brahman)’ consciousness, manifests the joy of self-realization, and dissolving the distinction of Thou, and I then and there, makes us one with the Supreme (One Reality). When I begin to read scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my Sadguru, and Sai Baba, assumes the form of Rama or Krishna and makes me listen to his Life. For instance when I sit to listen to Bhagwat, Sai becomes Krishna from top to toe, and I think he sings the Bhagwat or Uddhava Gita (song of teachings by Lord Shri Krishna to His disciple, Uddhava) for the welfare of the devotees. When I begin to chitchat, I am at once put in mind of Sai’s stories for enabling me to give suitable illustrations. When I myself start to write anything, I cannot compose a few words or sentences, but when He of his own accord makes me write, I go on writing and writing and there is no end to it. When the disciple’s egoism props up, He presses it down with His hand, and giving him His own power, makes him gain His object, and thus satisfies and blesses him. If any one prostrates before Sai and surrenders heart and soul to Him, then unsolicited, all the chief objects of life viz. Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Deliverance), are easily and unsolicitedly attained. Four paths, viz., of Karma, Jnana, Yoga and Bhakti lead us separately to God. Of these, the path of Bhakti is thorny and full of pits and ditches, and thus difficult to traverse, but if you, relying on your Sadguru, avoid the pits and thorns and walk straight, it will take you to the destination (God). So says definitely, Sai Baba.

After philosophising about the Self-Existent Brahman, His Power (Maya) to create this world and the world created, and stating that all these three are ultimately one and the same, the author quotes Sai Baba’s words guaranteeing the welfare of the Bhaktas: -

"There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding food and clothes, in any devotees’ homes. It is my special characteristic, that I always look to, and provide, for the welfare of those devotees, who worship Me whole-heartedly with their minds ever fixed on Me. Lord Krishna has also said the same in the Gita. Therefore, strive not much for food and clothes. If you want anything, beg of the Lord, leave worldly honours, try to get Lord’s grace and blessings, and be honored in His Court. Do not be deluded by worldly honor. The form of the Deity should be firmly fixed in the mind. Let all the senses and mind be ever devoted to the worship of the Lord, let there be no attraction for any other thing; fix the mind in remembering Me always, so that it will not wander elsewhere, towards body, wealth and home. Then it will be calm, peaceful and carefree. This is the sign of the mind, being well engaged in good company. If the mind is vagrant, it cannot be called well-merged."

After quoting these words, the author goes on to relate the story of Rama Navami festival in Shirdi. As Rama-Navami is the greatest festival celebrated at Shirdi, another fuller account, as published in Sai Leela Magazine of 1925, page 197, is also referred to and a summary of the festival, as related in both these accounts is attempted here.

Origin

One, Mr. Gopalrao Gund, was a Circle Inspector at Kopergaon. He was a great devotee of Baba. He had three wives, but had no issue. With Sai Baba’s blessings, a son was born to him. In the joy that he felt regarding the event, an idea of celebrating a fair or ‘Urus’ occurred to him in the year 1897, and he placed it for consideration before other Shirdi devotees, viz. Tatya Patil, Dada Kote Patil and Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama). They all approved of the idea, and got Sai Baba’s permission and blessings. Then an application for getting the Collector’s sanction for celebrating the urus was made, but as the village Kulkarni reported against holding the fair, the sanction was refused. But as Sai Baba had blessed it, they tried again, and ultimately succeeded in getting the Collector’s sanction. The day for the Urus was fixed on the Rama-Navami day, after having consultation with Sai Baba. It seems, He had some end in view, in this, viz., the Unification of the two fairs of festivals, the Urus and the Rama-Navami and the unification of the two communities - the Hindus and the Mahomedans. As future events showed, this end or object was achieved.

Though the permission was obtained, but other difficulties cropped up. Shirdi was a village, and there was scarcity of water. There were two wells in the village, the one in use, dried up soon, and the water from the second was brackish. This brackish water was turned into sweet one by Sai Baba, by throwing flowers into it. The water of this well was insufficient, so Tatya Patil had to arrange to get water, from a well by fixing Moats (leather sacks) thereon, at a considerable distance. Then temporary shops had to be constructed, and wrestling bouts arranged. Gopalrao Gund had a friend, by name Damu Anna Kasar, of Ahmednagar. He also was similarly unhappy in the matter of progeny, though he married two wives. Sai Baba too blessed him with sons, and Mr. Gund prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply one simple flag for the procession of the fair; he also succeeded in inducing Mr. Nanasaheb Nimonkar to supply another embroidered flag. Both these flags were taken in procession through the village, and finally fixed at the two ends or corners of the Masjid, which is called by Sai Baba as Dwarkamai. This is being done even now.

The ‘Sandal’ Procession

There was another procession, which was started in this fair. This idea of ‘Sandal’ procession originated with one Mr. Amir Shakkar Dalal, a Mahomedan Bhakta from Korhla. This procession is held in honour of great Muslim Saints. Sandal i.e. Chandan paste and scrappings are put in the THALI (flat dishes), and these are carried with incense burning before them in procession to the accompaniment of band and music through the village and then after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the dishes are thrown on the ‘Nimbar’ (nitche) and walls of the Masjid with hands. This work was managed by Mr. Amir Shakkar for the first three years, and then afterwards by his wife. So on one day, the two processions, the ‘Flags’ by the Hindus and that of ‘Sandal’ by the Muslims, went on side by side, and are still going on without any hitch.

Arrangement

This day was very dear and sacred to the devotees of Sai Baba. Most of them turned out on the occasion, and took a leading part in the management of the fair. Tatya Kote Patil looked to all outward affairs, while the internal management was entirely left to one Radha Krishna Mai, a female devotee of Baba. Her residence was full of guests on the occasion, and she had to look to their needs, and also to arrange for all the paraphernalia of the fair. Another work, which she willingly did, was to wash out and clean and white-wash the entire Masjid, its walls and floor, which were blackened and were full of soot on account of the ever-burning Dhuni (sacred fire) of Sai Baba. This work, she did during the night, when Sai Baba went to sleep every alternate day in the Chavadi. She had to take out all the things, including even the Dhuni, and after thorough cleaning and whitewashing replace them, as they were before. Feeding the poor, which was so dear to Sai Baba, was also a great item in this fair. For this purpose, cooking, on a grand scale and preparing various sweet dishes, was done in Radha-Krishna Mai’s lodging, and, various rich and wealthy devotees took a leading part in this affair.

Transformation of Urus into Rama-Navami Festival

Things were going on in this way and the fair was gradually increasing in importance till 1912 A.D., when a change took place; That year one devotee, Mr. Krishnarao Jageshwar Bhisma (the author of the pamphlet ‘Sai Sagunopasana’), came for the fair with Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, and was staying on the previous day in the Dixit Wada. While he was lying on the verandah, and while Mr. Laxmanrao alias Kaka Mahajani, was going down with Puja materials to the Masjid, a new thought arose in his mind and he accosted the latter thus - There is some providential arrangement in the fact that the Urus or fair is celebrated in Shirdi on the Rama-Navami day; this day is very dear to all the Hindus; then why not begin the Rama-Navami Festival - the celebration of the birth of Shri Rama here on this day? Kaka Mahajani liked the idea, and it was arranged to get Baba’s permission in this matter. The main difficulty was how to secure a Haridas, who would perform ‘Kirtan’ and sing the glories of the Lord on the occasion. But Bhishma solved the difficulty, by saying that his ‘Rama Akhyan’ (composition on Rama’s birth) was ready, and he would do the ‘Kirtan’ himself, while Kaka Mahajani should play on the harmonium. It was also arranged to get the ‘Sunthavada’ (ginger-powder mixed with sugar) as Prasad prepared by Radha-Krishna Mai. So they immediately went to the Masjid to get Baba’s permission. Baba, who knew all things and what was passing there, asked Mahajani, as to what was going on in the Wada. Being rather perturbed, Mahajani could not catch the purport of the question and remained silent. Then Baba asked Bhishma, what he had to say. He explained the idea of celebrating Rama-Navami festival, and asked for Baba’s permission and Baba gladly gave it. All rejoiced and made preparations for the Jayanti-festival. Next day, the Masjid was decorated with buntings etc., a cradle was supplied by Radha-Krishna Mai, and placed in front of Baba’s seat and the proceedings started. Bhishma stood up for Kirtan and Mahajani played on the harmonium. Sai Baba sent a man to call Mahajani. He was hesitating to go, doubting whether Baba would allow the festival to go on; but when he went to Baba, the latter asked him as to what was going on and why the cradle was placed there. He answered that the Rama-Navami festival had commenced, and the cradle was put on for that purpose. Then Baba took a garland from the ‘Nimbar’ (nitche), and placed it round his neck and sent another garland for Bhishma. Then commenced the Kirtan. When it came to a close, pound sounds of "Victory to Rama" went up; and Gulal (red - powder) was thrown up all round, amidst band and music. Everybody was overjoyed, when suddenly roaring was heard. The red-powder thrown promiscuously all round, went up, somehow entered Baba’s eyes. Baba got wild and began to scold and abuse loudly. People got frightened by this scene and took to their heels. Those intimate devotees, who knew Baba well, took these scoldings and outpourings of Baba, as blessings in disguise. They thought that when Rama was born, it was proper for Baba to get wild and enraged to kill Ravana; and his demons, in the form of egoism and wicked thoughts etc. Besides they knew, that whenever a new thing was undertaken at Shirdi, it was usual with Baba to get wild and angry, and so they kept quiet. Radha-Krishna Mai was rather afraid; and thought that Baba might break her cradle, and she asked Mahajani to get the cradle back. When he went to loosen and unfasten the cradle, Baba went to him, and asked him not to remove it. Then after some time, Baba became calm, and that day’s programme, including Mahapuja and Arati was finished. Later on, Mr. Mahajani asked Baba, for permission to remove the cradle, Baba refused the same saying, that the festival was not yet finished. Next day, another ‘Kirtan’ and Gopal-Kala ceremony (an earthern pot containing parched rice mixed with curds is hung, only to be broken after the ‘Kirtan’, and the contents distributed to all, as was done by Lord Krishna amongst His cow-herd (friends), were performed, and then Baba allowed the cradle to be removed. While the Rama-Navami festival was thus going on, the procession, of the two flags by day and that of the ‘Sandal’ by night, went off with the usual pomp and show. From this time onwards, the ‘Urus of Baba’ was transformed into the Rama-Navami festival.

From next year (1913), the items in the programme of Rama-Navami began to increase. Radha-Krishna Mai started a ‘Nama-Saptah’ (singing the glory of God’s name continuously day and night for seven days), from 1st of Chaitra, For this, all devotees took part by turns, and she also joined it, sometimes early in the morning. As Rama-Navami Festival is celebrated in many places all over the country, the difficulty of getting a Haridas was felt again. But 5 or 6 days before the festival, Mahajani met accidentally Balabuva Mali, who was known as modern Tukaram, and got him to do the ‘Kirtan’ that year. The next year (1914), another Balabuva Satarkar of Brihadsiddha Kavate, District Satara, could not act as a Haridas in his own town, as plague was prevailing in his town, and so he came to Shirdi; With Baba’s permission, which was secured through Kakasaheb Dixit, he did the Kirtan; and was sufficiently recompensed for his labour. The difficulty of getting a new Haridas every year was finally solved from 1914 by Sai Baba, as He entrusted this function to Das Ganu Maharaj permanently, and since that time, he has been successfully and creditably conducting that function uptill now.

Since 1912, this festival began to grow gradually year-by-year. From the 8th to 12th of Chaitra, Shirdi looked like a beehive of men. Shops began to increase. Celebrated wrestlers took part in wrestling bouts. Feeding of the poor was done on a grander scale. Hard work and sincere efforts of Radha-Krishna Mai turned Shirdi into a Sansthan (State). Paraphernalia increased. A beautiful horse, a palanquin, chariot and many silver things, pots, buckets, pictures, mirrors etc. were presented. Elephants were also sent for the procession. Though all this paraphernalia increased enormously, Sai Baba ignored all these things, and maintained His simplicity as before. It is to be noted that both the Hindus and Mahomedans have been working in unison in both the processions, and during the entire festival, there has been no hitch or quarrel between them at all so far. First about 5000-7000 people used to collect, but that figure went up to 75000 in some years; still there was no outbreak of any epidemic or any riots worth the name during so many past years.

BOW TO SHIRI SAI - PEACE BE TO ALL

Places to visit in Shirdi - Temple Complex Shirdi

The Saibaba temple is situated in the heart of Shirdi village spreading in approximately 200sqmts, attracting thousands of pilgrims from across the world. The temple premises has several of important sites connected to Saibaba of Shirdi that are venerated by all the devotees. Here we are discussing the important sites inside the complex of Shirdi Saibaba temple.

Khandoba Temple

Khandoba temple holds a special place in Shirdi, since this was the site which saw the coming of Saibaba in his tender years dressed in kafni. It is believed that when this young man, with flowing beards and sparkling eyes, approached the temple premises as one of the guest of a wedding party, the temple priest Mhalsapati greeted him as 'Ya Sai'. This name led to the appellation and evolution of one of the most admired spiritual gurus of India.

Earlier the temple lay on the periphery of the village and Khandoba was the tutelary deity of the Mhalsapati family. Peaceful and secluded ambience of the temple impressed Saibaba. At the entrance to the temple is a large banyan tree which is mentioned in the 'Shri Sai Satcharitra' as the place where the bullock cart halted. It is now commemorated with a small shrine and 'padukas' or footwear of Saibaba lay at its base.

Gurusthan

Gurusthan means the place of the Guru. It is significant because here Saibaba spent most of his time here, when he first came to Shirdi. It is also the same place where, according to Saibaba, the tomb of his own guru was located by the Neem tree. The neem tree is still extant in the Gurusthan and there is also a pair of marble padukas on a pedestal, a 'Shivalinga' and a statue of Baba. A small dhuni on a stand is kept in front of the shrine, which is lit on Thursday and Friday. Gurusthan is a wonderful place sit and meditate in peace that generates an inner peace leading to unison with Sai Baba.

Samadhi Mandir

Samadhi Mandir houses Saibaba's tomb and was originally constructed as a wada (large private house) during Saibaba's last years. The Samadhi Mandir has the statue of Saibaba all in white marble sitting in relaxed, natural and majestic demeanor gazing at the millions of devotees who throng the temple for his blessings.

The daily routine of the temple resumes at 5 in the morning with Bhoopali, a morning song, and closes at 10 in the night after the Shej aarati is sung. Only on three occasions the temple is kept open overnight i.e. on Gurupurnima, Dassera, and Ramnavmi. Every Thursday and on each festival, a Palakhi with Baba's photo is taken out from the temple.

Dwarkamai

Dwarkamai in one of the cherished treasure troves of Shirdi associated with Saibaba. When Shri Sai Baba came to Shridhi with a marriage procession, he stayed at Dwarkamai and remained there till the very end of his life. It is situated on the right of the entrance of Samadhi Mandir. Here Saibaba used to heal the sufferers and the sick.

Dwarkamai used to be an old mosque in a very bad shape. Saibaba restored its sanctity turning it into Dwarkamai. It has a portrait of Saibaba and a big stone where he used to sit. Dwarkamai has the Kolamba, water pot and the grinding stone associated with Saibaba. It also has a chariot and a palkhi.

Chavadi

Chavadi literally means village office. In Shirdi Sai temple Chavadi is located on the right side of Dwarkamai. Saibaba used to alternatively sleep in Chavadi, during the last decades of his life. Chavadi is open to devotees from 5am to 9pm. Inside the Chavadi there is large portrait of Saibaba. It also has a wooden bed on which Saibaba was given his last bath before passed away in Dwarkamai. The building also has the framed photo of the cross-legged Saibaba which is taken out on procession on festivals and each Sunday.

Lendi Gardens

Lendi is an important place where Saibaba used to spend his time everyday. It has some tombs, a shrine and a perpetually burning lamp lit by Saibaba and placed between the two trees he planted.

All Sai devotees should utilize Shri Sai Satcharitra in the following manner:

All Sai devotees should utilize Shri Sai Satcharitra in the
following manner:

Get the book, Shri Sai Satcharitra in whatever language one choose
to read. Neatly wrap it in a piece of cloth, and place it near
Baba's photograph or idol with due sanctity.

Whether at home or elsewhere, one should always read a few pages of
the book every night before going to sleep. Every devotee should try
to keep Baba as the last thought before going to sleep.

During a crisis it should be read devoutly for a week, as is
mentioned in Shri Sai Satcharitra. If possible reading should begin
on a Thursday or on some other special day, such a Ramnavmi,
Dussehra, Gurupurnima, Janmashtami, Mahashivratri, Navratri, etc.
After its completion on the seventh day, one should feed the poor
and destitute either in the Temple or at home or wherever possible.

One should read it sitting in some isolated corner in the Temple or
in front of Baba's statue or photograph/painting . If other people
are present, then it should be read to them as well. Group reading
should always be encouraged.

Wherever and whenever possible, it should be read continuously from
sunrise to sunset in the Temples on auspicious days. Devotees may be
asked to read in turns, as in done in chanting the holy name i.e.
Naamjap. Encourage children to read this book. Question-answer
competitions based on Shri Sai Satcharitra can be organized in
Temples.

Shri Sai Satcharitra should be read to the devotees who are sick,
aged and those nearing death as much as possible. All of them will
get peace.

Shri Sai Satcharitra is reasonably priced book and is easily
available in Shirdi. Therefore, any devotee visiting Shirdi must
bring few copies with him to distribute among the people free of
cost.

At times of stress and agony, if one sincerely searches for the
answers from Shri Sai Satcharitra he will not only find the answers
but also solace. His faith will grow in Baba.

May Shri Sainath reveal the Divine knowledge and mysteries contained
in this book to the devotees in the same manner in which He had
inspired Hemadpant to write this book. Shri Sai Satcharitra should
be considered by all devotees as the Gita,Bible, and Holy Quran.

Bow to shri sai - peace be to all
sai ram