tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52244677250292499572024-03-14T03:48:43.681-07:00Sai Ki KripaBaba please shower your blessings on us every momentsai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-52777969247511244422014-02-14T09:43:00.000-08:002014-02-14T09:43:01.304-08:00OM SAI RAM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Mere "BABA" tere darr per,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">bante lakhon bhagto ke kaam....</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Unn bhagton mai likh</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">le "BABA",</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Mera bhi ik Naam....</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">♥Om Sai Ram♥</span></i></b></div>
sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-38672072409727839652014-02-13T20:18:00.001-08:002014-02-13T20:18:13.277-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Mere "BABA" tere darr per,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">bante lakhon bhagto ke kaam....</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Unn bhagton mai likh</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">le "BABA",</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Mera bhi ik Naam....</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">♥Om Sai Ram♥</span></div>
sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-21105181697007169922014-02-13T20:10:00.000-08:002014-02-13T20:10:00.944-08:00om sai ram<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">बेनाम से रिश्ते को निभा जाओ किसी दिन.…जो मिल जाए फुरसत तो पास आ जाओ किसी दिन.…मिलता है सबको, सब कुछ सुना है हमने,मुझे तो बस तुम ही मिल जाओ मेरे "साईं " किसी दिन.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">। ॐ साईं राम ।</span><br />
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sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-14544483125295269112012-02-15T18:42:00.000-08:002012-02-15T18:44:39.861-08:00om sai ram<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgTibbdoDGPS7YYtitY0Jp61xVv3WkExDJUyYIckXFhPJDFty59zmpM9pbSJ-XqVKJjhrpAKBgW8GL2SlHqBk1302sgQQQe_y81bQpHGJvySwCyXr8QoNst5piT59f-d2YKXnaTNWZ6Ej/s1600/01-13-07_120..JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgTibbdoDGPS7YYtitY0Jp61xVv3WkExDJUyYIckXFhPJDFty59zmpM9pbSJ-XqVKJjhrpAKBgW8GL2SlHqBk1302sgQQQe_y81bQpHGJvySwCyXr8QoNst5piT59f-d2YKXnaTNWZ6Ej/s320/01-13-07_120..JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709558818369807586" border="0" /></a>om sai ram<br />happy baba's daysai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-15649094110240486692010-10-13T00:21:00.001-07:002010-10-13T00:23:33.240-07:00Produre and Story of Sai Vrat in Hindi<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Om Sai Ram Dear Readers,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">In this post I have presented the rules and main story for observing fast of </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12">Sai Baba</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> for 9 Thursdays to fulfill any vow or desire. I have observed this Vrat many times and was immensly benefitted. The </span><a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D7WJge6Rb1A/SRVYiEVOfwI/AAAAAAAAC98/Lz4ujYDMzOY/s1600-h/shirdi_saibaba.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266212681581231874" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 302px; height: 400px;" alt="© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D7WJge6Rb1A/SRVYiEVOfwI/AAAAAAAAC98/Lz4ujYDMzOY/s400/shirdi_saibaba.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Sai Baba Vrat Katha book from which the article has been taken was written by Nisha Jani in the year 2000 in Gujarati Language. With the increased demand ofSai Baba Devotees, it was published in Hindi Language also in the year 2002. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">At first it was decided to give the book to the devotees free of cost. </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">Day by day</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> its demand increased and it was not possible for the author to give it free, so a nominal cost is now taken. The whole amount is again invested in printing the same book. Devotees from Gujarat </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">can get</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> it without any difficulty in almost all Sai Temples. But when it comes to other states, it is not available. So I present before you the same in Hindi. Sai Devotees can take the </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">print</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> outs of the procedure and story mentioned below in Hindi.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The main points such as the rules of observing the Vrat, concluding ceremony and story to be read has been covered here. Apart from this I would like to highlight some other points over and above this:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">1. Devotees must chant Arti of Sai Baba at the end of their worship.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">2. Offer Naivedhya to Sai Baba if you do the Vrat by taking food only one time.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">3. It is stated in the end that for concluding ceremony one has to gift 5, 11 or 21 </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">books to</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> people as per their economic status. In states other than Gujarat the book is not available, so one can take 5, 11 or 21 print outs of the rules of observing the Vrat, concluding ceremony and story to be read from here only and distribute them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">श्री साईं बाबा व्रत के नियम</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">१. ये व्रत कोई भी स्त्री पुरुष और बच्चे भी कर सकते है</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">२. ये व्रत कोई भी जाती-पति के भेद भावः बिना कोई भी व्यक्ति कर सकता है</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">३. ये व्रत बहुत ही चमत्कारिक है ९ गुरूवार विधिपूर्वक करने से निश्चित ही इच्छित फल की प्राप्ति होती है</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">४. ये व्रत कोई भी गुरूवार को साईं बाबा का नाम ले कर शुरू किया जा सकता</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">५. सुबह या शाम को साईं बाबा के फोटो की पूजा करना किसी आसन पर पीला कपडा बिछा कर उस पर साईं बाबा का फोटो रख कर स्वच्छ पानी से पोछ कर चंदन या कंकु का तिलक लगाना चाहिये और उन पर पीला फूल या हार चढाना चाहिये अगरबत्ती और दीपक जलाकर साईं व्रत की कथा पढ़ना चाहिये और साईं बाबा का स्मरण करना चाहिये और प्रसाद बाटना चाहिये (प्रसाद में कोईभी फलाहार या मिठाई बाटी जा सकती है)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">६. यह व्रत फलाहार लेकर किया जा सकता है (जैसे दूध, चाय, फल, मिठाई आदि) लेकर अथवा एक समय भोजन करके किया जा सकता है बिलकुल भूखे रहकर उपवास न किया जाय</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">७. ९ गुरूवार को हो सके तो साईं बाबा के मंदिर जाकर दर्शन किए जाए साईं बाबा के मंदिर न जा पाये तो (नजदीक मंदिर न हो) तो घर पर ही श्रद्धापूर्वक साईं बाबा की पूजा की जा सकती है</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">८. बहार गाव जाना हो तो भी उस वक्त व्रत चालू रखा जा सकता है</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">९. व्रत के समय स्त्रियों को मासिक की समस्या आए अथवा किसी कारण से व्रत न हो पाये तो उस गुरूवार को ९ गुरूवार की गिनती में न लिया जाए और उस गुरूवार के बदले अन्य गुरूवार करके ९ वे गुरूवार किया जाए</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">उद्यापन की विधि</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">१. ९ वे गुरूवार को उद्यापन करना चाहिए इसमें पांच गरीब को भोजन किया जाए (भोजन अपनी यथाशक्ति देना या करवाना)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">२. साईं बाबा की महिमा एवं व्रत का फैलाव करने के लिए अपने सगे-सम्बन्धी या पडोसियों को यह किताबे ५, ११, २१ अपनी यथाशक्ति भेट दी जाए इस तरह व्रत का उद्यापन किया जाय</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">३. ९ वे गुरूवार को जो किताबे भेट देनी है उसका यथाशक्ति पूजा में रखिए और बाद में ही भेट दी जाए जिससे आपकी एवं अन्य व्यक्तियों की भी मनोकामना पूर्ण हो उपरोक्त विधि से व्रत करने से एवं विधिपूर्वक उद्यापन करने से निश्चित हो आपकी मनोकामना पूर्ण होगी ऐसा साईं भक्तो का विश्वास है</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">साईं व्रत कथा</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">कोकिला बहन और उनके पति महेशभाई शहर में रहते थे दोनों को एक-दुसरे के प्रति प्रेम-भाव था परन्तु महेशभाई का स्वाभाव झगडालू था बोलने की तमीज ही न थी आदोसी-पडोसी उनके स्वाभाव से परेशान थे, लेकिन कोकिला बहन बहुत ही धार्मिक स्त्री थी, भगवान पर विश्वास रखती एवं बिना कुछ कहे सब कुछ सह लेती धीरे-धीरे उनके पति का धंधा-रोजगार ठप हो गया कुछ भी कमाई नहीं होती थी महेशभाई अब दिन-भर घर पर ही रहते और अब उन्होंने गलत राह पकड़ ली अब उनका स्वभाव पहले से भी अधिक चिडचिडा हो गया</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">दोपहर का समय था एक वृद्ध महाराज दरवाजे पर आकार खड़े हो गए चेहरे पर गजब का तेज था और आकर उन्होंने दल-चावल की मांग की कोकिला बहन ने दल-चावल दिये और दोनों हाथों से उस वृद्ध बाबा को नमस्कार किया, वृद्ध ने कहा साईं सुखी रखे कोकिला बहन ने कहा महाराज सुख कीमत में नहीं है और अपने दुखी जीवन का वर्णन किया</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">महाराज ने श्री साईं के व्रत के बारे में बताया ९ गुरूवार (फलाहार) या एक समय भोजन करना, हो सके तो बेटा साईं मंदिर जाना, घर पर साईं बाबा की ९ गुरूवार पूजा करना, साईं व्रत करना और विधि से उद्यापन करना भूखे को भोजन देना, साईं व्रत की किताबे ५, ११, २१ यथाशक्ति लोगों को भेट देना और इस तरह साईं व्रतका फैलाव करना साईबाबा तेरी सभी मनोकामना पूर्ण करता है, लेकिन साईबाबा पर अटूट श्रद्धा रखना जरुरी है धीरज रखनी चाहिए जो उपरोक्त विधि से व्रत और उद्यापन करेगा साईबाबा उनकी मनोकामना जरुर पूर्ण करेंगे</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">कोकिला बहन ने भी गुरुर्वार का व्रत लिया ९ वे गुरूवार को गरीबो को भोजन दिया सैव्रत की पुस्तके भेट दी उनके घर से झगडे दूर हुए घर में बहुत ही सुख शांति हो गई, जैसे महेशभाई का स्वाभाव ही बदल गया हो उनका धंधा-रोजगार फिर से चालू हो गया थोड़े समय में ही सुख समृधि बढ़ गई दोनों पति पत्नी सुखी जीवन बिताने लगे एक दिन कोकिला बहन के जेठ जेठानी सूरत से आए बातो बातो में उन्होंने बताया के उनके बच्चे पढाई नहीं करते परीक्षा में फ़ेल हो गए है कोकिला बहन ने ९ गुरूवार की महिमा बताई साईं बाबा के भक्ति से बच्चे अच्छी तरह अभ्यास कर पाएँगे लेकिन इसके लिए साईं बाबा पर विश्वास रखना ज़रूरी है साईं सबको सहायता करते है उनकी जेठानी ने व्रते की विधि बताने के लिए कहा कोकिला बहन ने कहा की ९ गुरूवार फलाहार करके अथवा एक समय भोजन करके यह व्रत किया जा सकता है और ९ गुरूवार तक हो सके तो साईं मंदिर के दर्शन के लिए जाने को कहा और यह कहा की</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">- यह व्रत स्त्री, पुरुष या बच्चे कोई भी कर सकते है ९ गुरूवार साईं फोटो की पूजा करना</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">- फूल चढाना, दीपक, अगरबत्ती अदि करना प्रसाद चढाना एवं साईं बाबा का स्मरण करना आरती करना अदि विधि बताई</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">- साईं व्रत कथा, साईं स्मरण, साईं चालीसा अदि का पात करना</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">- ९ वे गुरुवार को गरीबो को भोजन देना</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">- ९ वे गुरुवार यह साईं व्रत की किताबे अपने सगे-सम्बन्धी, अडोसी-पडोसी को भेट देना</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">सूरत से उनकी जेठानी का थोड़े दिनों में पत्र आया की उनके बच्चे साईं व्रत करने लगे है और बहुत अच्छे तरह से पढ़ते है उन्होंने भी व्रत किया था और व्रत की किताबे जेठ के ऑफिस में दे थी इस बारे में उन्होंने लिखा के उनके सहेली की बेटी शादी साईं व्रत करने से बहुत ही अच्छी जगह तै हो गई उनके पडोसी का गहेनो का डब्बा दम हो गया वह महीने के बाद गहनों का डिब्बा न जाने कोन वापस रख गया एसा अद्भुत चमत्कार हुआ था</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">कोकिला बहन ने साईं बाबा की महिमा महान है वह जान लिया था</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">हे साईं बाबा जैसे सभी लोगों पर प्रसन्न होते है, वैसे हम पर भी होना</span><br /><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Disclaimer:</strong><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">Shirdi Sai Baba</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> had never laid emphasis on fasting. A Devotee of Baba has started this vrat initially and the vrat has fulfilled many wishes (including mine too). So its upto the readers discretion to observe this vrat or not.</span>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-6348836101927698232010-10-13T00:04:00.000-07:002010-10-13T00:08:28.505-07:00Nine Thursdays Shirdi Sai Baba Vrat - FAQ's.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLRf20Nyhy9Nmhj5rYV3e3kvmvLY0qWL2BmN3aAMrfXz-TTCa1a1nev5r7_5bPs6Rt9KzWzg_1OvHJEi2-4BGSr7MzZSD0M3rlHaMr2ffj5kLAoNw9Hw4jDVWw2L2oLYG6C8-8vMZWkvb/s1600/Wall+Paper+Saibaba+%2832%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLRf20Nyhy9Nmhj5rYV3e3kvmvLY0qWL2BmN3aAMrfXz-TTCa1a1nev5r7_5bPs6Rt9KzWzg_1OvHJEi2-4BGSr7MzZSD0M3rlHaMr2ffj5kLAoNw9Hw4jDVWw2L2oLYG6C8-8vMZWkvb/s320/Wall+Paper+Saibaba+%2832%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527423999649614962" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><a href="http://sathgurushirdisaibaba.blogspot.com/2008/09/sai-baba-vrat-detail-procedure-for-9.html">Sai Vrat for Nine Thursdays</a> is becoming popular day by day. Many devotees have been benefited by it and the list goes on increasing day by day. But there are many doubts regarding this vrat. We have been receiving many <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">mails</span> with lot of questions and doubts from Sai devotees hence decided to post them on blog instead of answering to all questions individually. We have tried to club as many questions as we could. Still if any of your questions are unanswered or not covered in this post, you can ask by commenting under the post. Please be noted that we are answering to questions/doubts to the best of our knowledge and experience but leave it to Baba to decide whether they right or wrong. Also please pardon us if any of the answers are wrong. Suggestions and corrections are readily welcomed. I request devotees to post their queries/suggestions/corrections as comments to this post only.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">1. Where do I get Sai Vrat Katha book?</span><br /><br />Many devotees have got desired fruits from this Vrat. By word of mouth it is becoming very popular and it has won trust of many devotees. Every devotee desiring to do the vrat has this foremost question in his/her mind. Well now a days Sai Vrat Katha book is easily available in shops nearbySai Baba temples in India. Please be noted that Sai Vrat Katha books are not published by Shirdi Sai Baba Sanshtan. For devotees residing abroad I am uploading scanned copy of Sai Vrat Katha book in English, Hindi ,Marathi ,Tamil,Telgu language. With Baba's grace and blessings Sai sister Priya and Shri Rama Rao ji have contributed to this <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD10">treasure</span>. My hearty thanks to them.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;">It will be a valuable service if anybody who is reading this post can contribute scanned copy of Sai Vrat book in other language too. Please comment for the same below.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">2. Why should I observe fast if not recommended by Baba?</span><br /><br />This question will certainly arise in a devotee's mind who has read <a href="http://sathgurushirdisaibaba.blogspot.com/2009/02/all-about-sri-sai-satcharitra-parayan.html">Sai Satcharitra</a>. I too agree with the same. But also on the other hand I have experienced miracles by doing this vrat. More than materialistic things for which this vrat is generally started , one gets to see spiritual aspects. And devotees get more close to Baba. It is not unknown that Baba pulls His devotees by fulfilling all their wishes and then make them His forever. I request devotees not to do this Vrat just to test Baba. Only thing needed is full faith on Baba and He is sure to <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">sail</span> us across. In the end I leave it to reader's discretion to observe this fast or not.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">3. Who can do this Vrat?</span><br /><br />Anyone whether male, female and even children can do this Vrat. Old and Sick persons can avoid it. Still if its devotee's wish to do Vrat, Baba will take fullest care! Devotees of any caste/religion/creed can do Vrat only full faith on Baba is required.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">4. Should I start this Vrat from any special day?</span><br /></span><br />There is no such rule. It can be started from any Thursday by taking Baba's name and seeking His help and grace for desire for which the Vrat is taken up.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">5. What is <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD9">the procedure</span> of Vrat?</span><br /><br />Sai Baba must be worshipped in morning or in evening. Sai Baba's photograph must be placed on a yellow cloth. Clean the photograph with clear water. Tilak of Chandan (sandalwood) and Kumkum must be applied to the photograph ofSai Baba. Yellow coloured flowers or garland must be offered to Sai Baba, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">incense sticks</span> and lamp must be lighted and then the main story of the vrat must be read. Sai Baba's name must be remembered and then prasad must be distributed.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">6. What else should be read/chanted apart from Vrat story and Sai Baba <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">Arti</span>?</span><br /><br />Again there are no hard and fast rules in this. Sai Baba Arti is sufficient, still if you wish you can chant <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Shri%20Sai%20Baba%20Chalisa%20in%20Hindi">Sai Chalisa</a> and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Shri%20Sai%20Baba%20Chalisa%20in%20Hindi">Sai Bavani </a>given in Vrat book. </div> <div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">7. What can be given as Prasad?</span><br /><br />Prasad may consist of some sweet, dry fruit or fruits.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">8. What can be eaten in this Vrat?</span><br /><br />Vrat can be done only by eating fruits, sweets or drinking milk, tea or coffee. It can also be done by taking one time meal in evening. It should not be done by not eating anything. A devotee had asked me whether she can eat <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">potatoes</span>, cucumber and tomatoes during this vrat. The answer is yes.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">9. Is it compulsory to visit Sai Baba Temple?</span><br /><br />No it is not. But it is preferred. If any unavoidable circumstances exist then Baba can be worshipped at home only. Only thing required is full faith!!!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">10. Can I do Vrat if i am not at home or when I am travelling?</span><br /><br />Yes you can. Baba has not laid any compulsions for worshipping Him. This applies in this Vrat also. Again only thing required is full faith!!!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">11. What if i miss any Thursday(s) due to unavoidable circumstances?</span><br /><br />That Thursday(s) should be skipped and following Thursday(s) can be considered in counting Nine Thursdays. The same applies for women if they are going through menses.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">12. Is it compulsory to conclude Vrat on nineth Thursday?</span><br /><br />Yes it is.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">13. How Vrat is concluded?</span><br /><br />Vrat is concluded by visiting Sai Baba temple on nineth Thursday, feeding five poor people and distributing 5,11 or 21 Sai Vrat Katha <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">books to</span> your friends and relatives to increase Sai Mahima.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">14. What if Sai Vrat Katha books are not available for distribution?</span><br /><br />As said earlier they are easily available in India. For devotees residing abroad they can mail scanned copies of books. Before giving/sending Sai Vrat Katha books please make sure from the recipient that he/she will do Vrat.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">15. What if I cannot feed poor people?</span><br /><br />Devotees residing abroad generally face this question. In such cases devotees can request their relatives to feed poor people in India on their behalf. If they wish to do the same themselves then they can keep food articles in any nearby Sai temple and request temple authorities to offer these food articles as prasad. They can also give food donation to any Sai temple or directly to <a href="http://sathgurushirdisaibaba.blogspot.com/2009/03/easy-donation-facility-for-nris-by.html" target="_blank">Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan Easy Donation Facility</a>. </div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br />16. What if I reside abroad and cannot do Vrat on Thursday being a working day? We got a mail asking this question from a lady Sai devotee. Let me first write her question with you. She asked, ", <em>Om Sai Ram. I have done this vrat a year back and had amazing results. Can I ask you a question? We reside <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">in Dubai</span> and for us to do the vrat on Thursdays becomes a bit difficult as our <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">weekends</span> are on Friday/Saturday. Can this vrat be done on any other days, e.g. every Wednesday or Sunday?? Kindly advise. In Baba's yaad."</em> </div> <div style="font-weight: bold;">This is Nine Thursday's Baba's Vrat, so it cannot be done on any other day. The reason is quite logical and i dont think i need to explain. Well, in this case, it can be advised that if the lady cannot do Vrat on Thursdays, being a working day, she do vrat by eating recommended food in point 8 above and take one time meal in evening, thus not being hungry whole day!!! If this also does not work, she can avoid doing Vrat. Baba has never advised fasting in adverse circumstances, she can pray Him whole heartedly to fulfill her wish. It is not true that Baba fulfills wishes and desires of only those who do Vrat.</div> <div style="font-weight: bold;"><strong>This list of questions in includable. As and when any new question comes my way, it will be posted here. Please feel free to ask your question and we will try to answer them.</strong> </div>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com113tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-16011209454129356322010-07-07T21:23:00.000-07:002010-07-07T21:29:52.846-07:00~ A SIGN FROM SAI BABA ~<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxdFkvVVNImRqqiUM6X-Vvm8lYCZ81P1H2-4Utz8xVcKnUMHqzFZlScQ_1beWtH5HLdcnR2pKsoOkHDd9VALzdk3wmGTA71fLOEO24-WNae__s80ayqk4v9IwDMTo9OHO-L-5Zr2Y2T3c/s1600/om+shri+sai.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxdFkvVVNImRqqiUM6X-Vvm8lYCZ81P1H2-4Utz8xVcKnUMHqzFZlScQ_1beWtH5HLdcnR2pKsoOkHDd9VALzdk3wmGTA71fLOEO24-WNae__s80ayqk4v9IwDMTo9OHO-L-5Zr2Y2T3c/s320/om+shri+sai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491387692421911282" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small;" ><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" ><b><span style="color: rgb(210, 105, 30);"> ~ A SIGN FROM SAI BABA ~</span></b></span><br /><span style="color:maroon;"><b><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:18pt;" >~~ AS BABA WILLS, WHEN BABA WILLS ~~</span></b></span><br /><br /><span style="color:maroon;"><b>Sai Baba supports all those who Believe in Him,<br />Sai Baba also supports those who don't Believe in Him.<br />Sai Baba supports our Good Times,<br />Sai Baba also supports our Bad Times.</b></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(210, 105, 30);">The very basic teaching of Shirdi Sai Baba has always been "Shraddha & Saburi" !<br />So, contemplate with how much dedication do we actually follow this teaching<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />& until unless we learn to do so, how can we ask Baba to grant us what/how/when we want?</span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(210, 105, 30);">Baba always answers one's Prayer's, and he will surely make things happen<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />but ONLY when the time is Karmically appropriate,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />that is when one is Karmically ready to receive what he has Prayed for.</span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">For example, the Sun rises at its own Fixed Time.<br />Even if you chant Mantras or Pray all night long, for it to rise at Mid-night itself,<br />the Sun will only rise when it has to. You will just end up praying till it rises !</span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(210, 105, 30);">Or</span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">Take another example of a Flower.<br />You can sow a Seed anytime but it will blossom into a Flower only when its destined.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />No, matter how much you Pray for it, it will not make the slightest of difference to the Seed.<br />You will just keep praying till the Seed blossoms into a Flower !</span></b><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(210, 105, 30);"><b>SO PRAY AND<br /><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">"HAVE FAITH THAT IT WILL HAPPEN"</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>&<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">"HAVE PATIENCE FOR IT TO HAPPEN</span>" !!!</b></span><br /><br /><img src="http://i47.tinypic.com/33lce8y.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(210, 105, 30);">Mother Nature knows her ways & has set everything accordingly, to keep this World going on.<br /><br />Likewise, all events in one's Life have already been set Karmically<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />& they will happen only when its time comes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />For some, according to their Karma's, Life gets smooth-n-fast while others have to drag it out,<br />but eventually, in both cases, one gets only what has been set for him or her.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />Prayers do help to ease out problems but not erase them in totality.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />So, always Pray to Baba but never Insist for What you want or How you want !<br />As Baba is so sweet that just out of his love for you, he might just grant you your Wish,<br />which maybe in the future might not turn out to be exactly in your favor.<br />Thus you might just repent & again blame the almighty for your sufferings.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><br /><br /><img src="http://i47.tinypic.com/33lce8y.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">Have full Faith in Baba and his Ways & always have the conviction that Baba's Will is behind it all.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />Doubts only hamper the Power of your Faith in his Will !!!<br /><br />Like, if you switch on the Fan, Air is bound to circulate.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />You cannot question whether you will feel the breeze or no, once the Fan is switched on.<br />However, it is entirely up to you as to how you want to feel the Breeze -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />from Right under the Fan or from a Distance, but either ways you are bound to feel it anywayz.<br /><br />Likewise, once you switch on the Fan of Faith in Baba's Will,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />there is absolutely no doubt that you will surely feel the Breeze of his Blessings !<br />You may be Close to him ie, Physically in Shirdi or Bonded through your Heart from anywhere in the world,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />but either ways you are bound to feel the Breeze of his Blessings anywayz.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><br /><br /><img src="http://i47.tinypic.com/33lce8y.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(210, 105, 30);">After you put forth your problems to Baba, just become aware for some "SIGNS" by him !<br />Baba will not reply to your query via an Sms or an e-mail/letter but instead he will give you some Signs,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />the onus of understanding which will solely rest on you. So, keep a look out for some Signs from Baba.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">You can get the Signs/answer to your problems through any medium -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">1)</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Be it a Word or Line from any Book/Magazine which you might just happen to randomly read.<br /><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">2)</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It could be a Line you might just happen to Hear in some Movie or any Song/Bhajan.<br /><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">3)</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It could be something someone might just tell you.<br /><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">4)</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It could be a Thought / inspiration that just might cross your mind instantly.<br /><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">5)</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It could be a Tag Line of any Advertisement you see on a Bill Board.<br /><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">6)</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It could be any sign from Mother Nature around you.<br /><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">7)</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It could also be this very Article which you are reading at present.<br /><br />These Signs, could be the Direct Answers to your problems or sometimes could be In-Direct also,<br />in which case it will be for you to contemplate and extract what and how it applies to you.<br />But remember - Baba will definitely answer your query through any Medium, Anytime, Anyhow and Anywhere.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><br /><br /><img src="http://i47.tinypic.com/33lce8y.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);">So, Pray with an Open Heart telling Baba about your problems<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />BUT never ask him to sort out your problems in a manner / time which you want,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />instead always pray to Baba to do what he deem's to be in the best interest for you,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />so that you don't regret it later on. As, one never knows what Baba has planned for us.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(210, 105, 30);">So let Baba do -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:12pt;" >"AS HE WILLS & WHEN HE WILLS."</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Finally remember that, our Parent's are our first and foremost Guru's in our Life<br />and serving them is serving Baba himself.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />We have to fulfill their wishes and if one can go against their Parents Wishes,<br />then what guarantee is there that some day in some circumstance,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />one will not go against Sai Baba's Teaching's also ?</span></b><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Bow to shree sai peace be to all<br />jai sai nath<br /></span><b><span style="color: rgb(210, 105, 30);"></span></b><br /></span></span>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-7025400682646444392010-05-06T22:50:00.000-07:002012-02-15T18:41:39.472-08:00Updated.. "A TO Z" OF SHIRDI - GUIDE WITH PHOTOGRAPHS.<span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:13pt;" >~~ OM SHRI SAINATHAYA NAMAHA ~~</span><br /><img style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" src="http://i48.tinypic.com/10e3pqr.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">" FOR THIS ARTICLE BABA IS MY INSPIRATION,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALL THE WORDS ARE MY PERSPIRATION,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR EVERY DEVOTEE OF EVERY NATION,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HAVING A LONG DESIRED DIVINE ASPIRATION,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO GO TO SHIRDI IN THE VACATION.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO, NOW MOVE ON... AS "SAI-EXPRESS" IS WAITING IN ANTICIPATION,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO TAKE YOU TO "SAINAGAR" RAILWAY STATION !</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">OH, WHAT A MOTIVATION !!! " </span><br /><br /><img style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" src="http://i42.tinypic.com/smx5hg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >~~ SHIRDI TEMPLE PREMISES GUIDE MAP ~~</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SHIRDI TEMPLE GUIDE MAP LABELLED WITH "A to Z" ALPHABETS AGAINST SMALL "</span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">x</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">" MARKS,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> TO ENABLE YOU TO FIND THE EXACT SPOT OF THE CORRESPONDING PLACE IN & AROUND THE SHIRDI SAI BABA TEMPLE PREMISES.</span><br /><br /><img style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" src="http://i44.tinypic.com/28ssqpv.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >A</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> ON MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD - </b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">QUEUE FOR "MUKH DARSHAN" ONLY AND ROAMING IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES EXCEPT LENDI BAGH & BABAS WELL.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >A</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> ON PIMPALWADI ROAD - </b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DEVOTEES ENTRANCE NEAR MAIN GATE NO.2, FOR SAMADHI DARSHAN FOR ALL DEVOTEES WITHOUT PASSES. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE ARROWS IN THE DARSHAN QUEUE HALLS INDICATE THE DIRECTION DEVOTEES HAVE TO MOVE TO REACH BABA'S SAMADHI.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >B</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - </span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MAIN ARCHWAY NO.1</b><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >C</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - THE P.R.O OFFICE.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >D</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - </span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MAIN ARCHWAY NO.2</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> (CLOSED...NOT USED NOW)</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >E</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - SHIRDI SANSTHAN'S BOOK STORE FOR SELLING BABA'S BOOKS, CALENDARS, VCD / DVD etc</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >F</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - THE "SHREE SAI SATYAVRAT POOJA HALL".</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >G</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - "SHREE SAI SANSTHAN EMPLOYEES CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD, SHIRDI" STALL.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >H</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - DURING PEAK PERIODS, ENTRY GATE FOR N.R.I / FOREIGN NATIONALS / V.I.P's. </span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >I</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - SHOP SELLING POOJA ITEMS / MUSTARD OIL & SWEET PRASAD TOO.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >J</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - HUGE WINDOWS FOR A VIEW OF THE DARSHAN QUEUE GOING DOWN THE STAIRS.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >K</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">- DURING PEAK PERIODS ITS THE SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED / PHYSICALLY DISABLED DEVOTEES SPECIAL ENTRY GATE.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >L</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - </span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MAIN ARCHWAY NO.3</b><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >M</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">- "THE SHREE SAIBABA SANSTHAN TRUST MOBILE CLOAKROOM".</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >N</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - "SAI-COMPLEX" COMMERCIAL SHOPPING COMPLEX.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >O</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - "DAKSHIN-MUKHI MARUTI TEMPLE"</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >P</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">- ABDUL BABA'S COTTAGE.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >Q</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - ENTRY FOR "MUKH DARSHAN" OF BABA'S IDOL.(ONE CANNOT GO TOWARDS BABA'S SAMADHI FROM HERE)</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >R</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - EXIT AFTER DARSHAN AND DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS ITS THE EXIT GATE FOR DISABLED / SENIOR CITIZENS.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >S</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - DONATION OFFICE.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >T</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - "ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION" - (FORMER UDHI / PRASAD DISTRIBUTION ROOM).</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >U</span> - TELEVISION IN THE OPEN AIR THEATRE FOR DEVOTEES STANDING OUT TO HAVE LIVE DARSHAN.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >V</span> - WATER COOLER (BESIDES THE OPEN AIR THEATRE), FOR DEVOTEES TO DRINK THE WATER OF BABA'S MANGAL SNAN.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >W</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - REAR EXIT DOOR AFTER DARSHAN AND DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS ITS THE ENTRY GATE FOR V.I.P PASS HOLDERS.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >X</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">- "SAIBABA'S MUSEUM'.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >Y</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - UDHI / PRASAD DISTRIBUTION ROOM (NEXT TO ABDUL BABAS / NANAVALIS / TATYAS SAMADHI).</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >Z</span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - </span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MAIN ARCHWAY NO.4</b><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE BLACK LINE FROM ARCHWAY NO.4 CUTTING ACROSS LENDI BAGH UPTO THE EXIT AT MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD -</b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">STEEL BARRICADED PASSAGE SEPARATING LENDI BAGH FROM NANDADEEP.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">CANDLES</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> - PLACE IN NANDADEEP WHERE DEVOTEES CAN MAKE WISHES & LIGHT CANDLES.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- MAIN ARCHWAY NO.1 -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ON THE WEST SIDE, ON THE MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD IS "ARCHWAY NO.1" ,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHICH IS USED ONLY AS AN ENTRY GATE INTO THE TEMPLE PREMISES AND OR FOR BABA'S MUKH DARSHAN </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">i.e., DARSHAN OF BABA'S FACE FROM A DISTANCE (FROM, NEAR THE RAISED PLATFORM BEHIND IN THE TEMPLES SANCTUM).</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AFTER, ENTERING THRU ARCHWAY NO.1, ONE CAN FREELY ROAM IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">i.e, CAN TAKE UDHI, SEE ABDUL BABA'S / TATYAS & NANAVALIS SAMADHI, SAI BABA'S MUSEUM AND CAN GO STRAIGHT UP TO DWARKAMAI </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BUT CANNOT GO TO LENDI BAGH OR BABA`S WELL.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS ARCHWAY NO.1 IS OPPOSITE THE TEMPLES P.R.O OFFICE AND BESIDES NANDA-DEEP.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ONE CANNOT MAKE AN EXIT FROM THIS GATE. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- MAIN ARCHWAY NO.2 -</span></b><br /><br /><img style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" src="http://i40.tinypic.com/11ad3l3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TEMPLE, ON THE PIMPALWADI ROAD, IS ARCHWAY NO.2 ,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHICH WAS EARLIER USED AS AN ENTRY & EXIT GATE BUT AT PRESENT IS CLOSED & NOT IN USE.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">INSTEAD, JUST BESIDES IT ON THE PIMPALWADI ROAD ITSELF IS THE ENTRY GATE FOR ALL DEVOTEES WITHOUT ANY PASSES. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS ENTRY TAKES ONE DIRECTLY INTO THE FIRST WAITING HALL FROM WHERE THE DARSHAN QUEUES, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AFTER MOVING ALONG THROUGH SPIRALING LONG STRETCH OF STEEL BARRICADED HALLS & BY STAIRS UP & DOWN, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FINALLY LEADS UPTO THE SAMADHI OF BABA.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- MAIN ARCHWAY NO.3 -</span></b><br /><br /><img style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1zvbhpu.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ON THE EAST SIDE, IN THE LANE GOING INSIDE FROM THE PIMPALWADI ROAD IS "ARCHWAY NO.3",</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> WHICH IS USED MAINLY FOR EXIT OUT OF THE TEMPLE PREMISES TOWARDS DAKSHIN MUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">& BABA'S SHRI CHAVADI. IF ONE ENTERS THROUGH THIS ARCHWAY, ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE COMES THE "MUKH DARSHAN" ENTRY,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHILE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE IS AN ENTRANCE USED FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS SPECIAL ENTRY DURING PEAK PERIODS.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS ARCHWAY IS ALSO USED AS AN ENTRY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS / PHYSICALLY DISABLED DEVOTEES WHO ARE UNABLE TO WALK.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">LUCKY TIP - ONE NORMAL ADULT IS ALLOWED TO ESCORT THEIR AGED / HANDICAPPED DEPENDENT FAMILY MEMBER</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BY THIS ARCHWAY & A DEPENDENT KID CAN ALSO GO ALONG IF HE / SHE HAS NO ONE ELSE TO ACCOMPANY HIM / HER.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IF LUCKY ENOUGH, THEN N.R.I & FOREIGN NATIONALS CAN TOO MAKE AN ENTRY BY THIS ARCHWAY </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IF THEY SHOW THE GUARDS THE PROOF OF THEIR NATIONALITY OR NRI STATUS i.e., PASSPORT COPIES etc</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- MAIN ARCHWAY NO.4 -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ON THE SOUTH SIDE IS "ARCHWAY NO.4" WHICH IS MAINLY USED FOR SOUTH EXIT OUT OF THE TEMPLE PREMISES.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THIS EXIT THERE ARE SHOPS WHICH LEAD UP TO DWARKAMAI,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHEREAS THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS EXIT THERE ARE SHOPS WHICH LEAD UP TO THE MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS ARCHWAY NO.4 IS ALSO USED AS AN ENTRY, WITH A STEEL BARRICADED PASSAGE SEPARATING LENDI BAGH AND NANDADEEP</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IF DEVOTEES ENTER BY THIS GATE THEN THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY MOVE TOWARDS LENDI BAGH, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BABA'S WELL AND THEN STRAIGHT OUT OF THE TEMPLE PREMISES TO THE MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO, IF FROM LENDI BAGH IF ONE WANTS TO GO TO NANDADEEP, THEN THEY WILL HAVE TO GO STRAIGHT OUT OF </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE TEMPLE PREMISES AND THEN AGAIN ENTER THE TEMPLE FROM ARCHWAY NO.1 FOR NANDADEEP.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS ARCHWAY NO.4 IS BANG OPPOSITE THE SAMADHIS OF NANAVALI / ABDUL BABA / & TATYA PATIL.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" > ~~ VIP DARSHAN PASSES ~~</span></b><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DURING WEEK DAYS </b><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE VIP DARSHAN PASSES HAVE BEEN BANNED DURING WEEK DAYS BY THE SHIRDI SAI SANSTHAN.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO, THE N.R.I's / FOREIGN NATIONAL's & OTHER VIP's WILL HAVE TO QUEUE ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE DEVOTEES,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IF THEY WANT TO GO FOR BABA'S DARSHAN. HOWEVER, DURING OFF PEAK PERIODS THE SENIOR CITIZENS / PHYSICALLY DISABLED </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ARE ALLOWED ENTRY DIRECTLY INTO THE SAMADHI SHRINE BY A SPECIAL GATE BANG OPPOSITE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE FORMER UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM (MARKED "R" IN MAP ABOVE) .</span><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DURING WEEKENDS & PEAK PERIODS </b><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE SHIRDI SAI SANSTHAN HAS INTRODUCED THE "PAID DARSHAN PASSES CONCEPT" FOR WEEKENDS & PEAK PERIODS.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO NOW, A NOMINAL FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR VIP DARSHAN PASSES, BY WHICH DEVOTEES CAN SKIP THE REGULAR </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DARSHAN QUEUE AND HAVE THE DIVINE DARSHAN OF BABA. </span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS "PAID DARSHAN PASSES CONCEPT" IS FOR ALL N.R.I's / FOREIGN NATIONAL's & OTHER VIP's.<br />IT WILL BE APPLICABLE ON THURSDAYS / SATURDAYS / SUNDAYS / PUBLIC HOLIDAYS / FESTIVALS & OTHER PEAK PERIODS. </b><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE CHARGES FIXED BY THE SHIRDI SAI TRUST FOR THESE PAID DARSHAN PASSES ARE :</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">1) FOR KAKAD AARTI :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> Rs.500/- per person.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">2) FOR MADHYANA AARTI :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> Rs.300/- per person.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">3) FOR DHOOP AARTI :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> Rs.300/- per person.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">4) FOR SHEJ AARTI :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> Rs.300/- per person.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">5) FOR NORMAL DARSHAN</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> (Not during any of the Aarti's) : Rs.100/- per person.</span><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:11pt;" >~~ HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAID DARSHAN SYSTEM ~~</span></b><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">1)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> THIS SYSTEM OF PAID DARSHAN COMMENCED FROM SATURDAY 13th MARCH`2010.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">2)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> A TOTAL NUMBER OF 1600 DEVOTEES CAN BE ACCOMMODATED IN THE TEMPLE, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO THE PAID PASSES LIMIT FOR AARTI'S HAS BEEN FIXED AT 140 DEVOTEES AT A TIME.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">3)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> DARSHAN PASSES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ON CHARGES TO THE DEVOTEES IN ADVANCE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND NO PRIOR BOOKING WILL BE MADE OF SUCH PASSES.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">4)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> EVEN MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE, CELEBRITIES, N.R.I`s OR FOREIGN NATIONALS </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND JOURNALISTS etc ARE NOT SPARED FROM THESE CHARGES.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">5)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> THE NUMBER OF DEVOTEES WHO WILL BE ABLE TO AVAIL THE PAID DARSHAN PASSES WILL BE LIMITED </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO AROUND 10% OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEVOTEES WAITING IN THE TEMPLE. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR INSTANCE, IF THERE ARE A 1000 DEVOTEES WAITING IN THE TEMPLE, THEN ONLY 100 DEVOTEES WILL BE ALLOWED </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO GO IN FOR BABA'S DARSHAN, WITH A PAID PASS. AFTER THEY HAVE HAD THEIR DARSHAN AND MOVE OUT, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ONLY THEN, THE NEXT BATCH OF PAID DARSHAN PASS HOLDERS WILL GO INSIDE THE TEMPLE FOR DARSHAN. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">PRE-REQUISITE - TO AVAIL THE PAID DARSHAN PASS, ONE HAS TO HAVE A REFERENCE LETTER OF ANY<br />GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AUTHORITY / ANY HIGH RANKING INDIAN OFFICIAL etc REQUESTING FOR THE SAME.</span><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">- ENTRY GATE -</b><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MOSTLY, THE GATE FOR THE VIP PASS HOLDERS IS OPPOSITE THE THREE TEMPLES OF LORD SHANI / LORD GANESHA </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND LORD MAHADEV (MARKED AS "H" ABOVE IN THE TEMPLE MAP).</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HOWEVER, THIS GATE MAY DIFFER DEPENDING UPON THE DEVOTEES RUSH AT THAT GIVEN PERIOD.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BUT IF THE N.R.I / FOREIGN NATIONAL OR THE V.I.P IS HANDICAPPED / PHYSICALLY DISABLED OR A SENIOR CITIZEN,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THEN THEY DO NOT NEED ANY SPECIAL PASS AS THEY CAN ENTER THE TEMPLE BY THE SPECIAL ENTRY GATE MEANT </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR SENIOR CITIZENS (MARKED AS "K" ABOVE IN THE TEMPLE MAP).</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS GATE MAY ALSO DIFFER DEPENDING UPON THE DEVOTEES RUSH AT THAT GIVEN PERIOD.</span><br /><br /><br /><img style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" src="http://i38.tinypic.com/2vt6qe9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:13pt;" >DARSHAN PASSES PROCEDURE :</span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE N.R.I`s / FOREIGN NATIONALS CAN APPROACH THE P.R.O. OFFICE TO ARRANGE FOR THE PAID DARSHAN PASSES </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR WHICH THEY WILL HAVE TO SHOW THE ORIGINAL OR COPIES OF THE PROOF OF THEIR NATIONALITY i.e, PASSPORT / GREEN CARD </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">OR ANY OTHER PROOF OF RESIDENCE TO THE SANSTHAN'S P.R.O OFFICER. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR SAFETY REASONS THEY SHOULD CARRY COPIES OF THEIR ORIGINAL PROOF OF RESIDENCE DOCUMENTS. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHEREAS, THE V.I.P's WILL HAVE TO SHOW A REQUEST FOR THE PAID DARSHAN PASSES LETTER FROM ANY </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AUTHORITY OR ANY HIGH RANKING INDIAN OFFICIAL etc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALWAYS SPECIFY FOR WHICH TIME OR AARTI THE PAID PASSES ARE REQUIRED</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">i.e, KAKAD, MADHYAN, DHOOP OR SHEJ AARTI OR THE SIMPLE DARSHAN AND PAY THE CHARGES ACCORDINGLY.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE DEVOTEE SHOULD ALSO SPECIFY IN ADVANCE, THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS GOING TO ACCOMPANY HIM / HER ON THE PAID PASS, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AS ACCORDINGLY ONLY THOSE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THAT MEMBER, WILL BE GIVEN ENTRY FOR DARSHAN IN THE TEMPLE. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> ANY EXTRA MEMBER OF THE PASS HOLDER IS REFUSED ENTRY FOR DARSHAN, IF NOT PAID FOR BEFORE HAND AT THE P.R.O. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">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.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR THE PROCEDURE IF POSSIBLE OR THEY SHOULD HAVE SOME REPRESENTATIVE IN INDIA TO ARRANGE FOR THE SAME BEFORE HAND.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">P.S - THE P.R.O. IS NOT OPEN THE WHOLE DAY BUT HAS SPECIFIC TIMINGS, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO PLEASE ACCORDINGLY BE THERE TO ARRANGE FOR YOUR PASSES IN ADVANCE.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MY WISH - THE SYSTEM OF ALL DARSHAN PASSES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED WHAT-SO-EVER </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">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 </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR DARSHAN...AS PASSES IS DISCRIMINATING BETWEEN SECTS OF PEOPLE...A THING WHICH BABA NEVER PREACHED.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO "DON'T GIVE PASSES BUT GIVE PREFERENCE"</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALL PHYSICALLY DISABLED / TERMINALLY ILL / AGED & SENIOR CITIZENS SHOULD BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE FOR DARSHAN.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MY VIEW - KARMICALLY SPEAKING, THE PASS HOLDERS EAT AWAY SOME OF THEIR GOOD KARMAS BY </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ARRANGING A SMOOTH-n-EASY DARSHAN FOR THEMSELVES UP AGAINST THE OTHER DEVOTEES STANDING FOR HOURS IN QUEUE'S ONLY </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO BE BACK-DROPPED DURING DARSHAN IN THE MAIN SANCTUM.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- SENIOR CITIZENS / PHYSICALLY DISABLED -</span></b><br /><br /><img style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/2hex3xh.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALL SENIOR CITIZENS / PHYSICALLY DISABLED & AGED DEVOTEES DO NOT REQUIRE ANY SPECIAL PASSES FOR DARSHAN </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AS THEY ARE GIVEN DIRECT ENTRY TO THE TEMPLE FROM A SEPARATE GATE BY WHICH THEY CUT OUT THE LONG STANDING IN QUEUES. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS SPECIAL ENTRY GATE FOR SENIORS / AGED DEVOTEES CHANGES DEPENDING UPON THE INFLOW OF DEVOTEES. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IN NORMAL PERIODS, WHEN IT ISN'T MUCH CROWDED, THE SENIOR CITIZENS ARE ALLOWED DIRECTLY INSIDE THE MAIN TEMPLE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BY THE ENTRY OPPOSITE THE FORMER UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM, NOW THE ANNOUNCEMENT ROOM. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BUT DURING HOLIDAY SEASONS / FESTIVALS & OTHER PEAK TIMES WHEN A LARGE NUMBER OF DEVOTEES TURN UP FOR DARSHAN, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE ENTRY GATE FOR THE SENIOR / DISABLED DEVOTEES CHANGES TOO i.e, AT PRESENT IT IS A GATE JUST BENEATH THE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WIDE ARCHWAY NO.3 STRUCTURE ITSELF AND OPPOSITE A BLACK COLORED GRANITE NOTICE BOARD. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHEN ONE ENTERS THROUGH ARCHWAY NO.3, ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE FALLS THE "MUKH DARSHAN" GATE & ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WAS THE FORMER SHOE STAND AREA...AND JUST ADJACENT TO THIS FORMER SHOE STAND AREA IS THE SENIOR CITIZENS ENTRY GATE. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DURING PEAK PERIODS,HOWEVER, EVEN AFTER GETTING A ENTRY FOR DARSHAN FROM THE SPECIAL ENTRY GATE, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED HAVE YET TO WALK DOWN A FEW STAIRS WHERE THEY JOIN THE PASS HOLDERS AND </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE REST OF THE OTHER DEVOTEES, WITH WHOM THEY THEN CLIMB UP A FEW STAIRS TO FINALLY REACH BABA'S SAMADHI SANCTUM.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND THE QUEUE FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS DEVOTEES STARTS FROM JUST OUTSIDE THE SQUARE WINDOWS </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">(FROM WHERE ONE CAN SEE THE DARSHAN QUEUE GOING DOWN-STAIRS) OPPOSITE THE DONATION OFFICE.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> IF THE SENIOR CITIZEN IS UNABLE TO GO ALONE DUE TO ANY DISABILITY OR ILLNESS OR IS ON WHEEL CHAIR THEN </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ANY ONE FAMILY MEMBER (YOUNG OR OLD) IS ALLOWED TO ACCOMPANY HIM /HER THROUGH THIS SENIOR CITIZENS GATE. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND, IF THIS RESULTS IN ANY DEPENDENT MINOR WHO IS WITH THEM TO BE LEFT ALONE, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THEN THAT MINOR TOO IS ALLOWED TO GO WITH HIS / HER FAMILY THROUGH THIS ENTRY.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MY WISH - IRRESPECTIVE OF THE SEASON / TIME AND THE AMOUNT OF DEVOTEE INFLOW, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALL SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED / PHYSICALLY DISABLED DEVOTEES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENTER BY THE GATE BANG OPPOSITE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE ANNOUNCEMENT ROOM (FORMER UDHI ROOM) LIKE BEFORE.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- MUKH-DARSHAN -</span></b><br /><br /><img style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" src="http://i47.tinypic.com/2yotiz5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR DEVOTEES WHO WANT TO JUST HAVE A DARSHAN OF BABAS SAMADHI IDOL FROM FAR, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THEY CAN ENTER THE TEMPLE FROM A DOOR - MARKED AS "Q" ON THE SHIRDI GUIDE MAP ABOVE. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS ENTRY IS JUST AT THE BEGINNING OF ARCHWAY NO.3 ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND AS ONE ENTERS BY THIS DOOR, ONE STANDS BETWEEN A STEEL BARRICADED PASSAGE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BETWEEN THE FRONT & BACK SIDE OF THE TEMPLE, LIKE AN AISLE. THUS, ONE CANNOT GO FROM HERE FORWARD FOR SAMADHI DARSHAN.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">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.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- DARSHAN WAITING HALLS -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE HALLS WHERE THE QUEUES LINE UP SPIRALING ACROSS THE STEEL BARRICADES HAVE WATER COOLERS AND </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ADEQUATE SEATING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE DEVOTEES.ALSO, PRESENT ARE TELEVISION SETS </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR DEVOTEES TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON INSIDE THE SANCTUM WHILE WAITING IN QUEUES FOR HOURS CHANTING BABA`S NAME.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- DAKSHIN MUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE -</span></b><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:13pt;" >- BEFORE -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><img style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" src="http://i42.tinypic.com/smx5hg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:13pt;" >- NOW -</span> </b><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE DAKSHIN MUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE WHICH IS IN THE LANE THAT RUNS BETWEEN DWARKAMAI & THE CHAVADI, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED AND A NEW TEMPLE HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTED IN ITS PLACE. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS SOUTH FACING TEMPLE, ORIGINALLY HAD TWO HANUMAN IDOLS HERE BUT NOW THESE TWO IDOL SHAVE BEEN REPLACED </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WITH A SINGLE IDOL MADE FROM BLACK MARBLE. THE TWO OLD HANUMAN IDOLS HAVE BEEN NOW PLACED IN THE SAIBABA MUSEUM.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- SHREE CHAVADI -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BABA'S "SHREE CHAVADI" HAS NOW BEEN DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE LEFT PORTION IS "FOR LADIES" WHILE THE RIGHT PORTION IS "ONLY FOR GENTS" WHERE NO LADIES ARE ALLOWED, AS BEFORE.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- SAIBABA MUSEUM -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">VISIT THE "SAIBABA MUSEUM" JUST BESIDES THE DIXIT WADA. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IT HAS MANY RARE ITEMS WHICH WERE ACTUALLY USED BY BABA HIMSELF </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">i.e, HIS UTENSILS, KAFNI, GRAMOPHONE RECORD'S & PLAYER, HIS CHILLUM, A BIG PALAQUIN WHICH WAS GIFTED TO BABA BUT NEVER USED BY HIM,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALL THE PALKHI PROCESSION THINGS, BABAS PADUKAS, HIS WHEAT GRINDING STONE, TWO POTS WITH WHICH HE COOKED & FED THE HUNGRY, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE COT ON WHICH BABA'S LAST BATHING TOOK PLACE AFTER HIS DEMISE, BABA'S ORIGINAL CHIMTA, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE EARTHEN WARE WITH HE USED TO ASK FOR FOOD etc. THIS MUSEUM IS SPREAD ON THE GROUND AS WELL AS THE FIRST FLOOR.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- LADU PRASAD -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE LADU PRASAD SALE COUNTER IS NOW LOCATED TO THE NORTHERN SIDE OF "SAI PRASAD" BUILDING NO.2, NEAR THE CAR PARKING. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE TIMINGS FOR THE SALE OF THESE LADU PRASAD IS 06:00Am TO 10:00Pm.(22:00Hrs)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE NEW PRASAD / UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM IS NOW LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO TATYA KOTE PATILS SAMADHI, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">OPPOSITE SOUTH ARCHWAY NO.4. THE OLD UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM WHICH WAS BANG OPPOSITE THE MAIN ENTRY OF </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE SAMADHI TEMPLE AND ADJOINING THE DONATION OFFICE IS NOW CONVERTED INTO AN "ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION" ROOM.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE TIMINGS FOR UDHI DISTRIBUTION ARE -</b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">07:00Am To 11:30Am</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">13:00Pm To 18:00Pm</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">19:00Pm To 22:00Pm</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">(AFTER DHOOP AARTI)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE LINE FOR TAKING UDHI ALSO GOES TO QUITE A STRETCH </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND ONLY ONE SMALL PACKET OF UDHI IS GIVEN TO EACH DEVOTEE SO REFRAIN FROM ASKING FOR ANOTHER.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- NANDADEEP -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">1)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> TO THE LEFT OF NANDA DEEP THERE ARE TWO NEEM TREES.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">2)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> NANDA DEEP (LAMP OF BLISS) WAS ORIGINALLY LIT BY BABA HIMSELF.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">3)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> TO THE RIGHT SIDE IS THE PIPAL TREE ON WHICH THERE IS A FORMATION IN THE SHAPE OF LORD GANESHA. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">OWING TO THE NINE LARGE BRANCHES AND NINE ROOTS OF THIS PIPAL TREE, BABA HAD INSTALLED A NAVGRIHA IN THIS TREE.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DEVOTEES CAN MAKE WISHES & LIGHT CANDLES OR DIYAS IN FRONT OF NANDADEEP, ON THE GRILL FENCING OPPOSITE IT. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AS, BABA TOO EVERY EVENING WOULD LIGHT A DIYA HERE.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BUT TODAY, ONE OF THIS TREE DUE ITS HEIGHT OR GROWTH, HAS BEEN CHOPPED OFF BY THE TRUNK ITSELF FROM THE TOP </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">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.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MY VIEW - WONDER WHAT HAVE THEY DONE WITH THE CHOPPED PORTION OF THE TREE AS, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I THINK WE DEVOTEES WOULD HAVE TREASURED EVEN ONE LEAF OR TWIG OF BABA'S BLESSED TREE.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- SHOE STAND -</span></b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THERE ARE SHOE STANDS JUST OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE WHERE ONE CAN KEEP THEIR FOOTWEAR FOR A VERY NOMINAL CHARGE, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IN EXCHANGE FOR A TOKEN. BUT MANY DEVOTEES REMOVE THEIR FOOTWEAR INSIDE THE TEMPLE PREMISES ITSELF </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IN ANY CORNER OR BELOW SOME STRUCTURE. IT IS CONVENIENT BUT NOT CORRECT TO DO SO AS THESE PLACES ARE NOT MEANT </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO PARK ONE`S FOOTWEAR, SO THEY MIGHT BE BRUSHED ASIDE BY ANYONE OR EVEN MIGHT GO MISSING FROM THERE. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO REMOVE THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK INSIDE THE TEMPLE PREMISES.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- TELEVISION - LIVE DARSHAN -</span></b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TELEVISION SETS TELECASTING LIVE IMAGES FROM THE SAMADHI SHRINE`S INNER SANCTUM & DWARKAMAI DIRECTLY, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE ENTIRE TEMPLE PREMISES, INSIDE & OUTSIDE THE SAMADHI SHRINE ALSO, FOR DEVOTEES WHO CANNOT MAKE IT INSIDE</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND WATCHING THE KAKAD AARTI ON THE TV SETS ESPECIALLY IN THE OPEN AIR THEATER IS MORE FUN,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> AS YOU GET GOOD CLOSE UPS AND BETTER VIEW SITTING COMFORTABLY RATHER THAN FROM INSIDE WHERE DUE TO THE RUSH </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ONE HARDLY CAN GET A CLEAR VIEW OF BABA WHILE THE AARTI OR MANGAL SNAN GOES ON. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- OPEN AIR THEATRE -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE OPEN AIR THEATRE, IS A OPEN SPACE STANDING FROM WHERE DEVOTEES CAN HAVE A VIEW OF BABA'S SAMADHI IDOL THROUGH A WINDOW. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALSO, PRESENT HERE IS A TELEVISION SET FOR DEVOTEES TO ENJOY THE LIVE DARSHAN OF BABA WHILE ANY AARTI / PROGRAM </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">GOES ON INSIDE THE SAMADHI SANCTUM. THIS OPEN AIR THEATRE WAS ONCE A RAISED PLATFORM WITH A GARDEN & FOUNTAIN BEHIND IT, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HAS NOW CHANGED TOO. THE RAISED PORTION HAS BEEN REMOVED LEAVING BEHIND A FLOOR LEVEL TILED GROUND MINUS THE GARDEN, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOUNTAIN & THE WATER FALLS.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MY VIEW - THERE SHOULD BE A COUPLE OF BENCHES TO SIT IN THIS OPEN AIR THEATRE AS </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS IS THE ONLY OPEN SPACE IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES WHERE ONE CAN SIT BUT AS IT IS GROUND LEVEL SO A BIT DIFFICULT </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR AGED/SENIORS TO SIT DOWN. THAT`S WHY NOW ONE CAN FIND DEVOTEES SITTING ON THE TWO LONG STRETCH OF STAIRS </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IN THE GURUSTHAN AREA AND ALSO, OPPOSITE NEAR THE DIXIT WADA GIVING THE PLACE A VERY CROWDED LOOK. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE SMALL COVERING WALL OF THE TWO TREES OPPOSITE THE DONATION OFFICE ARE ALSO ALWAYS FULL OF DEVOTEES SITTING.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- SHOPS IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES -</span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"SHREE SAI SANSTHAN EMPLOYEES CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD, SHIRDI" ( APPROVED BY SSST,SHIRDI) HAS A STALL INSIDE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE TEMPLE PREMISES FOR SELLING COLD DRINKS / ICE-CREAMS / MINERAL WATER / MASALA MILK / LASSI / PRASAD PEDHA / NAVGRAHA DHOOP</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AT VERY NOMINAL PRICES. IT IS SITUATED NEXT TO ARCHWAY NO.2 OUTSIDE THE DARSHAN QUEUE HALL.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALSO, THERE IS A SHOP NEAR THE THREE TEMPLES OF LORD GANESHA, LORD SHANIDEV & LORD MAHADEV. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS SHOP SELLS SOME PRASAD & LOTS OF DIFFERENT POOJA ITEMS INCLUDING MUSTARD OIL FOR POURING IT ON LORD SHANIDEV.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- SHREE SAI SATYAVRAT POOJA HALL -</span></b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE "SHREE SAI SATYAVRAT POOJA HALL" IS THE PLACE WHERE ON THE 1st FLOOR BABA'S ABHISHEK POOJA IS DONE BY DEVOTEES </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">& ON THE GROUND FLOOR DEVOTEES PERFORM THE "SATYANARAYAN POOJA" AFTER REGISTERING THEMSELVES</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR IT AT A VERY NOMINAL CHARGE OF Rs.101/- ONLY.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE ABHISHEK POOJA TIMINGS ARE :</b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">1St Batch 07:00 Am to 08:00 Am</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">2nd Batch 09:00 Am to 10:00 Am</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">3rd Batch 12:30 Pm to 01:30 Pm</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- SAI COMPLEX -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AT A PLACE, JUST BESIDES THE TEMPLE COMPLEX, THERE WAS A PRIMARY SCHOOL WHICH NOW HAS BEEN MOVED AWAY </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND IN ITS PLACE A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX CALLED "SAI COMPLEX" HAS COME UP. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IT IS JUST 20 FEET FROM THE GATE OF SHIRDI SAIBABA TEMPLE STARTING FROM OPPOSITE ARCHWAY NO.2 STRETCHING RIGHT UP TO </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE END OF THE DAKSHIN MUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE OPPOSITE ARCHWAY NO.3.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MY VIEW -</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> "WE LOVE SHIRDI IN IT`S SIMPLICITY BUT SEEMS SOON SHIRDI WILL BECOME SIMPLY A CITY" !!!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- MOBILE CLOAKROOM -</span></b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BESIDES ARCHWAY NO.2 & IN THE LANE LEADING TO THE ARCHWAY NO.3 FROM THE PIMPALWADI ROAD IS </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"THE SHREE SAIBABA SANSTHAN TRUST MOBILE CLOAKROOM" WHERE DEVOTEES HAVE TO DEPOSIT THEIR MOBILES </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AT A NOMINAL CHARGE OF RS.2/- PER MOBILE. THEY GET A TOKEN IN RETURN AGAINST WHICH THEY CAN GET THEIR MOBILES BACK, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AS MOBILES / CAMERAS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE TEMPLE PREMISES.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- SAI PRASADALAYA -</span></b><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"SHRI SAI PRASADALAYA"<br />BEHIND POLICE STATION, SHIRDI,<br />NIMGAON SHIV ROAD,<br />NIMGAON KORHALE,<br />SHIRDI</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE FACILITY OF PRASAD BHOJAN OF THE "SHRI SAI PRASADALAYA" WHICH WAS EARLIER SITUATED NEXT TO THE SAMADHI TEMPLE, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY SHIFTED TO A NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTED BY THE "SHRI SAIBABA SANSTHAN TRUST" ON 08th JAN`2009.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- "DWARAVATI" BHAKT NIWAS -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SHRI SAIBABA SANSTHAN, SHIRDI HAS BUILT A NEW BHAKT NIWAS CALLED "DWARAVATI" WHICH WAS INAUGURATED </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ON THE MAKAR-SANKRANTI - 14TH JAN`2009 BY SRI SRI RAVISHANKARJI.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SHIRDI SANSTHAN HAS SPENT Rs.19 CRORES ON THIS "DWARAVATI" PROJECT WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE 1600 DEVOTEES CONVENIENTLY.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IT HAS 334 SELF-CONTAINED INDEPENDENT & WELL VENTILATED ROOMS, SPREAD OVER FOUR FLOORS PACKED WITH ALL BASIC AMENITIES.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ON THE FOURTH FLOOR THERE ARE 80 ROOMS, ALL OF WHICH ARE AIR-CONDITIONED. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THERE IS A LARGE WAITING ROOM FOR DEVOTEES ON THE GROUND FLOOR.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THERE IS A BIG PARKING SPACE & BOARDING FACILITIES FOR DRIVERS TOO.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"DWARAVATI" HAS FOUR LIFTS WHICH HAVE A CAPACITY OF CARRYING 10 PEOPLE AT A TIME. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">LATEST TECHNOLOGIES LIKE SOLAR WATER HEATER SYSTEM & RAIN WATER HARVESTING FACILITIES ARE ALSO IMPLEMENTED. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"DWARAVATI" HAS A BIG GENERATOR FOR A 24 HOUR UN-INTERRUPTED SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> FOR DEVOTEES RECREATION, THERE IS A BIG GARDEN ON THE FRONT SIDE.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">CLOSE BY ONLY, IS THE "BHOJAN-SHALA" WHERE THE FOOD IS COOKED USING SOLAR HEATERS & SO, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE FOOD SERVED IS AT VERY NOMINAL RATES.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALSO, LIKE THE OTHER ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE SHIRDI SANSTHAN IN SHIRDI, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THERE IS NO ADVANCE BOOKING FOR ROOMS AS ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE ONLY ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IT IS SITUATED ON THE MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD, NEAR THE "SHRI SAINATH HOSPITAL".</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- WORLD'S BIGGEST TOILET-cum-BATH COMPLEX -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SHIRDI BOAST'S PROBABLY THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TOILET-cum-BATH COMPLEX.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE SHIRDI SAI BABA SANSTHAN & SULABH INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION, MAHARASHTRA BRANCH </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HAVE GOT CONSTRUCTED AN AESTHETICALLY APPEALING TOILET-cum-BATH COMPLEX AT A COST OF Rs.1.53 CRORES. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS COMPLEX IS SPREAD OVER AN AREA OF OVER 2 ACRES.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS TOILET-cum-BATH COMPLEX HAS 120 WC's, 108 BATHING CUBICLES, 28 SPECIAL TOILETS, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">6 DRESSING ROOMS, ROWS OF URINALS ALL IMMACULATELY LAID OUT TO AVOID CONGESTION. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE COMPLEX IS CAPABLE OF SERVING APPROXIMATELY 30,000 USERS EVERYDAY. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE SELF-SUSTAINING COMPLEX HAS 3 EXCRETA BASED BIO-GAS-GENERATING THE SULABH PLANTS WHICH PROVIDE ELECTRICITY </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO THE ENTIRE COMPLEX FOR ILLUMINATION & WATER HEATING. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE WATER DISCHARGED FROM THE COMPLEX IS RE-CYCLED FOR IRRIGATING THE BEAUTIFULLY LAID OUT GREEN AREA.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO PROVIDE A SYLVAN TOUCH TO THE COMPLEX A VARIETY OF TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED ALL AROUND THE AREA.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TELEPHONE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COUNTERS AND</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">PROVISION FOR 5000 LOCKERS HAS BEEN MADE TO FACILITATE THE TOURISTS FOR SAFE KEEPING OF THEIR BELONGINGS.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- MESSAGE BOARDS WITHIN THE TEMPLE PREMISES -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">1)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> DONATION BOXES AND WATER DRINKING FACILITIES ARE PLACED EVERYWHERE AROUND THE TEMPLE PREMISES.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">2) </b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHEELCHAIR'S ARE AVAILABLE FOR HANDICAPPED DEVOTEES FOR WHICH ONE CAN CONTACT THE SANSTHAN'S P.R.O.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">3) </b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FOR PRESERVATION OF BABA'S IDOL, MILK, ROSE-WATER, HONEY ETC IS NO MORE USED FOR THE SACRED BATH OF SAI BABA, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AS PER EXPERTS ADVICE SO DEVOTEES SHOULD TOO REFRAIN FROM OFFERING THE ABOVE.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">4)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> PLEASE HANDOVER FLOWERS, GARLANDS TO TEMPLE STAFF BEFORE OR IN THE SAMADHI SHRINE ITSELF.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">5)</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> OFFERING OF GARLANDS, PRASAD etc SHOULD BE MADE BY DEVOTEES ONLY AFTER 07:00Am & BEFORE SHEJ AARTI.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- HANDLING THE RUSH OF DEVOTEES -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">OWING TO THE HUGE RUSH OF DEVOTEES IN THE SAMADHI TEMPLE ESPECIALLY DURING KAKAD AARTI & BABAS MANGAL SNAN, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO ACCOMMODATE MORE & MORE DEVOTEES INSIDE THE TEMPLE SANCTUM DEVOTEES ARE NOW REQUESTED </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO REMAIN STANDING THROUGH OUT WHILE THE AARTI / MANGAL SNAN GOES ON, AS STANDING OCCUPIES LESS SPACE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THAN SITTING SO MORE DEVOTEES CAN BE PULLED INSIDE THE TEMPLE DURING AARTI ETC.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">INSIDE THE TEMPLES SANCTUM, GENTS SHOULD TRY TO QUEUE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE BARRICADES,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHILE THE LADIES SHOULD TRY TO QUEUE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE BARRICADES, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO AS TO GO AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO BABA'S IDOL DURING DARSHAN AND THEN MOVE OUT FROM THE REAR DOOR EXITING </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TOWARDS THE GURUSTHAN RATHER THAN STANDING TOWARDS THE AISLE AS THEN THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE A "U" TURN AFTER DARSHAN </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND THEN FROM THE AISLE (CENTRE) PASSING THE NANDI'S IDOL, THEY WILL HAVE TO EXIT FROM THE DOOR OPPOSITE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE PRESENT "ANNOUNCEMENT ROOM" WHICH WAS THE FORMER UDHI / PRASAD DISTRIBUTION ROOM.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MY VIEW - AS FIRST STANDING FOR HOURS IN DARSHAN LINE QUEUE / SPIRALING DOWN A FEW HALLWAYS </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND THEN STANDING THROUGH OUT THE KAKAD ARTI & MANGAL SNAN, CAN BE VERY TIRING, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO MY PERSONAL ADVICE IS TO AVOID TAKING SMALL KIDS AND AGED PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE TO STAND FOR LONG PERIODS. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">EVEN BABA WOULD NEVER WANT THIS AS HE TOO COULD NEVER SEE HIS DEVOTEES BEAR PAIN FOR HIM.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AS THERE ARE THREE OPENINGS FOR BOWING DOWN TO DO PRANAM ON BABA`S SAMADHI i.e., ONE FOR LADIES, ONE FOR GENTS </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND ONE IN BETWEEN, DEVOTEES BOW DOWN AND TAKE TIME TO GET UP AND MOVE FORWARD THUS DELAYING OTHER DEVOTEES BEHIND, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THEREFORE ON THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS, OTHER FESTIVALS / OCCASIONS AND HOLIDAY SEASONS </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHEN THERE IS A HUGE FLOW OF DEVOTEES IN SHIRDI, THE THREE OPENINGS ON BABA'S SAMADHI ARE ALSO ENCLOSED </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WITH GLASS SHIELDS, SO ONE CANNOT BOW DOWN OR TOUCH THE SAMADHI AND SO MOVES ON FASTER. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BUT ONE CAN SURELY TOUCH THE OUTER SIDE OF BABA`S SAMADHI WHILE PASSING BY AS BABAS PRESENCE IS EVERYWHERE !</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">LIKEWISE, SOMETIMES THE DHUNI-MAA PORTION OF DWARKAMAYI, REMAINS CLOSED FOR DARSHAN </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO THE DEVOTEES ENTER DWARKAMAYI AND HAVE DARSHAN OF DHUNI MAA AREA WITHOUT CLIMBING THE STEPS AND </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MOVE AHEAD TOWARDS THE SACRED STONE ON WHICH BABA SAT. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS ALSO SPEEDS UP THE DARSHAN QUEUE WHICH NOW-A-DAYS GOES ALMOST ALL OUT TO THE MANMAD / NAGAR MAIN ROAD !</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE NEW GURUSTHAN, NANDA-DEEP ARE ALSO ENCLOSED IN STEEL BARRICADES TO SPEED UP THE HUGE RUSH OF DEVOTEES.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE TEMPLE GUARDS MIGHT SOUND RUDE WHILE ASKING YOU TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD IN THE DARSHAN LINE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BUT REMEMBER THE THOUSANDS OF DEVOTEES WHO ARE STILL WAITING BEHIND YOU FOR THEIR TURN OF DARSHAN</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE / PATIENCE THE GUARDS HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH, WHILE KEEPING THE FLOW OF DARSHAN </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">GOING SMOOTHLY FOR HOURS EVERYDAY.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MY VIEW - EVEN THOUGH ANY AARTI OR BABA'S MANGAL SNAN IS GOING ON,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE QUEUES OF DEVOTEES SHOULD BE KEPT MOVING FORWARD CONSTANTLY FOR DARSHAN & THEN MOVE OUT SO THAT </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE WAITING TIME IN THE LONG QUEUES GETS REDUCED AND MORE PEOPLE GET A CHANCE TO HAVE DARSHAN SOONER THAN BEFORE. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND THEN, THE TIME MADE UP IN KEEPING THE QUEUE MOVING ON CAN BE UTILISED BY ALLOWING DEVOTEES </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO BOW THEIR HEADS ON THE SAMADHI FOR SOME TIME WHICH AT PRESENT IS ACTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- TIPS FOR KAKAD AARTI & MANGAL SNAN -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE MANGAL SNAN OF BABA NOW ONLY LASTS FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WITH A BUCKET OR TWO OF HOLY WATER FIRST ON THE SAMADHI FOLLOWED BY A BUCKET ON BABA'S IDOL. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AND AS SOON AS THIS GETS DONE...DEVOTEES ARE ASKED TO START MOVING AHEAD FOR DARSHAN, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">EVEN WHILE BABA'S IDOL IS BEING PAT DRY...SO MAKE SURE AS YOU REACH NEAR THE SAMADHI, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">FEEL THE WATER OF BABA'S MANGAL SNAN FROM THE TOP OF THE SAMADHI OR THE GROUND NEAR IT WHERE SOME WATER </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">USUALLY SPILLS WHILE THE HOLY BATH IS ON.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MY VIEW - FOR THIS ALWAYS LADIES & GENTS WHILE IN QUEUE INSIDE THE TEMPLE SANCTUM </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SHOULD TRY AND STAND ON THEIR RIGHT AND LEFT RESPECTIVELY SO AS TO REACH THE SIDES OF BABA`S SAMADHI & GET A </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">CHANCE TO TOUCH THE HOLY WATER OF BABA`S MANGAL SNAN WHICH USUALLY FALLS DOWN ON THE SIDES WHILE THE SNAN GOES ON.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">A VERY BLESSED TIP WANT TO TAKE A SIP OF BABAS MANGAL SNAN`S (HOLY BATH) WATER?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT INSIDE THE TEMPLE FOR THE KAKAD AARTI & BABA`S MANGAL SNAN </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">OR IF YOU DO MAKE IT INSIDE THE SAMADHI SHRINE FOR KAKAD AARTI BUT ARE PUSHED OUT SOONER THAN YOU THINK, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DON'T WORRY AS IT MAY BE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE ! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">JUST BESIDES THE OPEN AIR THEATRE (TO THE EAST OF DIXIT WADA) & JUST OPPOSITE THE REAR EXIT OF THE SAMADHI TEMPLE, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALSO KNOWN AS THE GURUSTHAN EXIT IS AN EMPTY WATER COOLER WHERE THE BLESSED WATER AFTER BABA`S MANGAL SNAN </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IS POURED IN, FOR THE DEVOTEES TO DRINK. NOT MANY GET A CHANCE TO HAVE A SIP OF THIS BLESSED WATER ALSO, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AS BY THE TIME DEVOTEES START COMING OUT AFTER DARSHAN THIS HOLY WATER IS ALREADY OVER.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO, THE SOONER YOU CAN MAKE IT TO THIS COOLER, BETTER IT WOULD BE, AS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A SIP OF THIS BLESSED WATER. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BUT MAKE SURE THIS HOLY WATER IS NOT SPILLED DOWN, AS MOST OF IT USUALLY DOES BECAUSE MANY DEVOTEES </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">JUST PICK THIS COOLER UP AND TILT IT DOWN SO AS TO FILL THEIR BOTTLES ETC BUT IN DOING SO MOST OF THIS </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HOLY WATER SPILLS & IS WASTED & OTHER DEVOTEES ARE LEFT BEHIND FROM A CHANCE OF GETTING A SIP OF THIS WATER ALSO.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALSO, JUST AFTER THE KAKAD AARTI GETS OVER THERE IS PRASAD OF WHITE BUTTER MIXED WITH SUGAR BEING DISTRIBUTED </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AT THE PRASAD / UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO TATYA KOTE PATILS SAMADHI, OPPOSITE SOUTH ARCHWAY NO.4</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SO MAKE SURE, YOU MAKE IT HERE ALSO, AFTER DRINKING THE HOLY WATER OF BABA`S BATH. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS WHITE BUTTER PRASAD LIKE THE HOLY WATER OF BABA`S BATH IS ALSO VERY LIMITED,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> SO ONLY THE FIRST LUCKY FEW DEVOTEES MAKE IT HERE.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- TIPS FOR DWARKAMAI -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHEN AT DWARKAMAI, HAVE THE BLESSED TEERTH (WATER) FROM THE BLACK COLORED EARTHEN POT KEPT ON A HIGH STAND. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THIS POT HAS NO TAP SO USE THE BIG SPOON KEPT ON TOP OF IT, TO TAKE SOME TEERTHA AND DRINK IT. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ONE HAS TO TAKE THIS TEERTH HIMSELF, AS NO ONE SERVE`S IT. THUS, NOT MANY PEOPLE ARE AWARE ABOUT IT &</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">GO AWAY WITHOUT HAVING A SIP.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- HOUSES OF BABAS DEVOTEES IN SHIRDI VILLAGE GUIDE MAP -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MAP SOURCE -</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.saibaba.com/holyshirdi/" target="_blank">http://www.saibaba.com/holyshirdi/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DO VISIT THE SHIRDI VILLAGE JUST A WALK AWAY FROM THE SAMADHI SHRINE. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ONE CAN VISIT BAIJAMAA'S HOUSE, LAXMIBAI'S HOUSE & HER SAMADHI WHICH IS JUST OUTSIDE OF HER HOUSE, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SHYAMA'S HOUSE, ABDUL BABAS KUTI & MAHALSAPATIS' HOUSE WHERE YOU CAN SEE </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE PADUKAS / 3 COINS / SATKA GIVEN BY TO MAHALSAPATI BY BABA HIMSELF.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALL ARE JUST A FEW STEPS STRAIGHT AHEAD OF DWARKAMAI. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ONE CAN ALSO VISIT THE 5 BLESSED HOUSES THAT BABA TOOK BHIKSHA FROM.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ABDUL BABA'S COTTAGE</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SHAMA'S HOUSE</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">LAXMIBAI SHINDE'S HOUSE<br />(HER SAMADHI RIGHT INFRONT OF IT)</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BAYAJABAI'S HOUSE<br />(BABA USED TO STAND ON THE STONE SEEN IN FRONT OF THE DOOR)</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MAHALSAPATI'S HOUSE</b><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ONE CAN ASK THE LOCAL PEOPLE / KIDS THERE TO GUIDE THEM & THEY WILL MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO SO.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THEY WILL GUIDE YOU TO ALL THE HOUSES, THE NINE COINS GIVEN BY SAIBABA TO LAXMIBAI, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">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.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THEY ALL ARE CLOSE TO EACH OTHER, JUST A STRAIGHT WALK IN THE LANE BANG OPPOSITE THE DWARKAMAI ENTRANCE. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TRY NOT TO VISIT THESE HOUSES IN THE MORNING AS THEY ARE USUALLY CLOSED AT THAT TIME.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">KEEP THIS VISIT IN THE LATTER PART OF THE DAY. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ALSO, FEEL FREE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS HERE, AS PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE MAIN TEMPLE PREMISES </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BUT OUTSIDE IN THE SHIRDI VILLAGE YOU CAN ACTUALLY TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS !</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- SAMADHI'S OF DEVOTEES -</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">OPPOSITE THE ARCHWAY NO.4 AND RIGHT NEXT TO THE UDHI / PRASAD DISTRIBUTION ROOM (MARKED "Y" IN THE MAP)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ARE THE SAMADHI'S OF ABDUL BABA / NANAVALI / BHAU MAHARAJ KUMBHAR & TATYA'S SAMADHI.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHILE THE SAMADHI OF AMIDAS BHAVANI MEHTA IS NEAR LENDI BAUG.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;font-size:15pt;" >- KHANDOBA TEMPLE -</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HAVE THE DARSHAN OF LORD KHANDOBA AT THE KHANDOBA TEMPLE, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">JUST CLOSE BY NEAR THE "SHRI SAINATH HOSPITAL" ON THE MAIN ROAD ITSELF.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IT HAS THE IDOLS OF LORD KHANDOBA , BANAI & MHALSAI.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/15rysly.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">FOR ANY ASSISTANCE / HELP CONTACT THE P.R.O OFFICE :</span><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">- SHIRDI -</b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Executive Officer, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Post. Shirdi 423 109 Tal. Rahata, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Dist. Ahmednagar (Maharashtra)</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Phone :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> +91-2423-258500 ( I.V.R )</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Fax No.</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> +91-2423-258870 & </span><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">P.R.O.Office :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> +91-2423-258770</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Website :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/" target="_blank">www.shrisaibabasansthan.org</a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> / </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.sai.org.in/" target="_blank">www.sai.org.in</a><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">E-mail :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="mailto:saibaba@sai.org.in">saibaba@sai.org.in</a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> / </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="mailto:saisandesh_anr@sancharnet.in">saisandesh_anr@sancharnet.in</a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> / </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="mailto:saibaba@shrisaibabasansthan.org">saibaba@shrisaibabasansthan.org</a><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">- MUMBAI -</b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Executive Officer,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, (Shirdi)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">'Sai Niketan', 804-8,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Dr. Ambedkar Road, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Dadar, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Mumbai - 400014</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Tel :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> +91- 22 - 24166556/ 24161293 </span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Fax :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> +91- 22 - 24150798 </span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">E-mail :</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="mailto:saidadar@bom3.vsnl.net.in">saidadar@bom3.vsnl.net.in</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Source -</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> Personal Visit to Shirdi / Info on Temple Premises Sign Boards / Conversation with Temple Guards.</span><br /><b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Photos -</b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> Assortment of Web Sites</span>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-23423738639798477252009-12-08T20:04:00.000-08:002009-12-08T20:05:04.093-08:00Complete Guide for first time visitor to Shirdi .<h3 class="post-title"> <a style="" href="http://www.shirdisaibabakripa.org/2009/07/guide-for-frst-time-visitor-to-shirdi.html">Complete Guide for first time visitor to Shirdi .</a> </h3> <div style="padding: 4px; float: right;"> <script type="text/javascript"> tweetmeme_style = 'compact'; tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.shirdisaibabakripa.org/2009/07/guide-for-frst-time-visitor-to-shirdi.html'; tweetmeme_source = 'manishabisht'; </script> <script src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js" type="text/javascript"></script><iframe src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/button.js?url=http%3A//www.shirdisaibabakripa.org/2009/07/guide-for-frst-time-visitor-to-shirdi.html&style=compact&source=manishabisht" width="90" frameborder="0" height="20" scrolling="no"></iframe> </div> <p><a style="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ61-iCeaiddjtUmXIMSQR5SC143_fpj5NS-crW9hGCngBGSVR0nvBgqawKPtC-Ak-TyF5M6CpGDk6NsF_fw8D_Y_htUiRdCUn1NCq1sqVm0qEnekJbnLR86Gmio7ZjDqRPlLPAsYAp4/s1600-h/samadhi+mandir++premises.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355275415716713090" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 325px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ61-iCeaiddjtUmXIMSQR5SC143_fpj5NS-crW9hGCngBGSVR0nvBgqawKPtC-Ak-TyF5M6CpGDk6NsF_fw8D_Y_htUiRdCUn1NCq1sqVm0qEnekJbnLR86Gmio7ZjDqRPlLPAsYAp4/s400/samadhi+mandir++premises.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dear All<br />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.<br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />THE FOLLOWING IS A SHIRDI TEMPLE GUIDE MAP EASILY AVAILABLE ON THE NET, BUT HAVE TAKEN THE LIBERTY TO MODIFY IT BY LABELING <strong>"A to Z"</strong> ALPHABETS AGAINST SMALL <strong>"x"</strong> MARKS TO ENABLE YOU TO FIND THE EXACT SPOT OF THE CORRESPONDING PLACE IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355311364339077922" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 226px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHjT-0LEyI/AAAAAAAAEsY/nPvV1MSznsY/s400/sai+kalash.jpg" border="0" /><br />"SHIRDI TEMPLE PREMISES GUIDE MAP" </p><p><a style="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG5pTWvzq_EqDz1tKaOhe0LHMB0PIXZFnq_kH9vCAFnRUgddUCObPh6aETlw90gy6HGLEowhe-SNhT96dtdBEszQcyaOB2_s0RjpqC_ZSFtzRQZh_ndKG6bK5l0ljdlSiQRZJxeW3C1Y/s1600-h/AtoZShirdiMap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355272041861054594" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 211px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG5pTWvzq_EqDz1tKaOhe0LHMB0PIXZFnq_kH9vCAFnRUgddUCObPh6aETlw90gy6HGLEowhe-SNhT96dtdBEszQcyaOB2_s0RjpqC_ZSFtzRQZh_ndKG6bK5l0ljdlSiQRZJxeW3C1Y/s400/AtoZShirdiMap.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><strong>A</strong> (On the Manmad / Nagar Main Road) - <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">QUEUE</span> FOR "MUKH DARSHAN" ONLY & ROAMING IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES EXCEPT LENDI BAGH & BABA'S WELL. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>A</strong> (On the Pimpalwadi Road) - DEVOTEES ENTRANCE NEAR <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD11">MAIN GATE</span> 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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>B -</strong> MAIN GATE NO.1 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>C -</strong> THE P.R.O OFFICE .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>D -</strong> MAIN GATE NO.2 (CLOSED...NOT USED NOW)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>E -</strong> SHIRDI SANSTHAN`S BOOK STORE FOR SELLING BABA`S BOOKS, CALENDARS, VCD / DVD etc. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>F -</strong> THE "SHREE SAI SATYAVRAT POOJA HALL" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>G -</strong> "SHREE SAI SANSTHAN EMPLOYEES CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD, SHIRDI" STALL .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>H -</strong> DURING PEAK PERIODS, ENTRY GATE FOR N.R.I / FOREIGN NATIONALS / V.I.P`s .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>I -</strong> SHOP SELLING POOJA ITEMS / MUSTARD OIL & SWEET PRASAD TOO .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>J -</strong> HUGE WINDOWS FOR A VIEW OF THE DARSHAN QUEUE GOING DOWN THE STAIRS .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>K -</strong> DURING PEAK PERIODS ITS THE <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">SENIOR CITIZENS</span> / AGED / PHYSICALLY DISABLED DEVOTEES SPECIAL ENTRY GATE. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>L -</strong> MAIN GATE NO.3 .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>M -</strong> "THE SHREE SAIBABA SANSTHAN TRUST MOBILE CLOAKROOM" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>N -</strong> "SAI-COMPLEX" COMMERCIAL SHOPPING COMPLEX .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>O -</strong> "DAKSHIN-MUKHI MARUTI TEMPLE" (UNDER RE-CONSTRUCTION AS IN JUNE 2009) .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>P -</strong> ABDUL BABA`S COTTAGE </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Q -</strong> ENTRY FOR "MUKH DARSHAN" OF BABA`S IDOL.(ONE CANNOT GO TOWARDS BABA`S SAMADHI FROM HERE) .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>R -</strong> EXIT AFTER DARSHAN AND DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS ITS THE SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED / DISABLED DEVOTEES ENTRY GATE .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>S -</strong> DONATION OFFICE .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>T -</strong> "ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION" - (FORMER UDHI / PRASAD DISTRIBUTION ROOM) .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>U -</strong> TELEVISION IN THE <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">OPEN AIR</span> THEATRE FOR DEVOTEES STANDING OUT TO HAVE LIVE DARSHAN .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>V -</strong> WATER COOLER JUST BESIDES THE OPEN AIR THEATRE, FOR DEVOTEES TO DRINK THE BLESSED WATER OF BABA`S HOLY BATH .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>W -</strong> REAR EXIT DOOR AFTER DARSHAN AND DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS ITS THE ENTRY GATE FOR V.I.P PASS HOLDERS .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>X -</strong> "SAIBABA`S MUSEUM" .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Y -</strong> UDHI / PRASAD DISTRIBUTION ROOM ( NEXT TO ABDUL BABAS / NANAVALIS / TATYAS SAMADHI ) .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Z -</strong> MAIN GATE NO.4 .<br /><br /><em>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</em>.</span> </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355276700285696162" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 236px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHDyRJ0eKI/AAAAAAAAEp4/Hc8QRCeFsDg/s400/lendibaugh+overview.jpg" border="0" /> <strong>CANDLES</strong> - PLACE IN NANDADEEP WHERE DEVOTEES CAN MAKE WISHES & LIGHT CANDLES<br /><strong>Gate No-1<br /></strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355272955794689234" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHAYT1mDNI/AAAAAAAAEoY/yu_o7Up4WIE/s400/Gateno.jpg" border="0" /> ON THE WEST SIDE IS <strong>"GATE NO.1"</strong> 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).<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>MAIN GATE NO.2<br /></strong><br />ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TEMPLE, ON THE PIMPALWADI ROAD, IS <strong>MAIN GATE NO.2</strong> 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.<br /><br /><strong>MAIN GATE NO.3<br /></strong><br /><p><a style="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA9mkNApHbu-Bv2wGztfAZ7QgwzBD8hqRyzZTaVokCnGMyUktqwdw1sDaDAfXL_4n5ds8toAAIcZ6gxsPD0tWgof6KjitaUF0SA6ypg8Kh7MnhLXrA2ulK9ZQaQhE4JjTpS9tDOEOaec/s1600-h/GateNo3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355272717869379858" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA9mkNApHbu-Bv2wGztfAZ7QgwzBD8hqRyzZTaVokCnGMyUktqwdw1sDaDAfXL_4n5ds8toAAIcZ6gxsPD0tWgof6KjitaUF0SA6ypg8Kh7MnhLXrA2ulK9ZQaQhE4JjTpS9tDOEOaec/s400/GateNo3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHAKNyCMmI/AAAAAAAAEoI/cN-0iUEDd7Y/s1600-h/gate+main.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355272713650975330" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHAKNyCMmI/AAAAAAAAEoI/cN-0iUEDd7Y/s400/gate+main.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />ON THE EAST SIDE, IN THE LANE GOING INSIDE FROM THE PIMPALWADI ROAD IS <strong>"GATE NO.3"</strong> WHICH IS USED MAINLY FOR EXIT OUT OF THE TEMPLE PREMISES TOWARDS DAKSHIN MUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE & BABA`S SHRI CHAVADI.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />THIS GATE IS ALSO USED AS AN ENTRY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS / PHYSICALLY DISABLED & AGED DEVOTEES WHO ARE UNABLE TO WALK.<br /><br /><strong>LUCKY TIP -</strong> 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.<br /><br />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 </p><p><strong>Main Gate No.4</strong><br /></p><p><a style="" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHBCsq--0I/AAAAAAAAEog/YD5ujDy5vog/s1600-h/Gateno4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355273684015577922" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHBCsq--0I/AAAAAAAAEog/YD5ujDy5vog/s400/Gateno4.jpg" border="0" /></a> ON THE SOUTH SIDE IS "<strong>GATE NO.4"</strong> WHICH IS MAINLY USED FOR SOUTH EXIT OUT OF THE TEMPLE PREMISES.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 <strong>GATE NO.1</strong> FOR NANDADEEP.<br /><br />THIS GATE NO.4 IS BANG OPPOSITE THE SAMADHIS OF NANAVALI / ABDUL BABA / & TATYA PATIL. </p><p align="left"><strong>"DARSHAN PASSES"</strong></p><p align="left"><strong>DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS</strong><br /><br />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 / <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">GREEN CARD</span> OR ANY OTHER <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">PROOF OF RESIDENCE</span> 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 <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">GOVERNMENT OF INDIA</span> AUTHORITY OR ANY HIGH RANKING INDIAN OFFICIAL etc.<br /><br />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 <strong>"R"</strong> 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 <strong>"W"</strong> IN THE ABOVE TEMPLE MAP)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />ALSO, APART FOR DARSHAN PASSES, ONE CAN CONTACT THE SANSTHAN P.R.O. OFFICE FOR ANY GUIDANCE AND OTHER INFORMATION TOO.<br /><br /><strong>DURING PEAK PERIODS</strong><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />P.S - THE ONUS LIES WITH THE GUARD TO ALLOW OR REJECT ANY DEVOTEES REQUEST FOR ENTRY THROUGH THE SPECIAL GATE.<br /><br />MOSTLY, THIS SPECIAL GATE FOR THEM IS THE GATE OPPOSITE THE THREE TEMPLES OF LORD SHANI / LORD GANESHA & LORD MAHADEV (MARKED AS <strong>"H"</strong> ABOVE IN THE TEMPLE MAP).<br /><br />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 <strong>"K"</strong> ABOVE IN THE TEMPLE MAP). THIS GATE MAY ALSO DIFFER DEPENDING UPON THE DEVOTEES RUSH AT THAT GIVEN PERIOD.<br /><br />FOR DARSHAN PASSES / GUIDANCE ONE CAN CONTACT THE P.R.O OFFICE DIRECTLY :<br /><br /><strong>IN SHIRDI -<br /></strong>Executive Officer,<br />Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi<br />Post. Shirdi 423 109 Tal. Rahata,<br />Dist. Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) Phone : +91-2423-258500 (I.V.R)<br />Fax No. Office:+91-2423- 258870 & P.R.O.Office : +91-2423-258770<br />Website : www.shrisaibabasansthan.org & www.sai.org.in<br />E_mail : saibaba@sai.org.in & saisandesh_anr@sancharnet.in saibaba@shrisaibabasansthan.org<br /><br /><strong>IN MUMBAI THEN -</strong><br />(AT PRESENT SHIRDI SANSTHAN`S MUMBAI BRANCH DOES NOT ISSUE DARSHAN PASSES BUT IN TIME TO COME, THEY MIGHT ALSO DO SO)<br />Executive Officer,<br />Shri Sai baba Sansthan Trust, (Shirdi)<br />'Sai Niketan', 804-8,<br />Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar,<br />Mumbai - 400014<br />Tel : +91- 22 - 24166556/ 24161293<br />Fax: +91- 22 - 24150798<br />E-mail : saidadar@bom3.vsnl.net.in<br /><br /><strong>DARSHAN PASSES PROCEDURE :</strong><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>MY WISH -</strong> 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.<br /><br />SO "DON`T GIVE PASSES BUT GIVE PREFERENCE" ALL PHYSICALLY DISABLED / TERMINALLY ILL / AGED & SENIOR CITIZENS SHOULD BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE FOR DARSHAN.<br /><br /><strong>MY VIEW -</strong> 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.<br /><br /><strong>SENIOR CITIZENS / AGED / PHYSICALLY DISABLED</strong> </p><p><a style="" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHBeT-PCfI/AAAAAAAAEoo/IjdQzt6Rs3o/s1600-h/SeniorCitizensFormerEntry.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355274158421772786" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHBeT-PCfI/AAAAAAAAEoo/IjdQzt6Rs3o/s400/SeniorCitizensFormerEntry.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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. </p><p>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.<br /><br />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.</p><p>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.<br /><br /><strong>MY WISH -</strong> 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.<br /><br /><strong>"MUKH-DARSHAN"</strong> </p><p><a style="" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHCnnKXTmI/AAAAAAAAEpo/oaIS46dOr_4/s1600-h/samadhi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355275417703370338" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 350px; height: 263px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHCnnKXTmI/AAAAAAAAEpo/oaIS46dOr_4/s400/samadhi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHBeny6UmI/AAAAAAAAEow/Itea3iJo0_0/s1600-h/samadhi-mandir_8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355274163742986850" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 310px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHBeny6UmI/AAAAAAAAEow/Itea3iJo0_0/s400/samadhi-mandir_8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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 <strong>"Q"</strong> 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.<br /><strong>DARSHAN WAITING HALLS </strong><strong><br /></strong><a style="" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHB0InCXrI/AAAAAAAAEo4/e78RbIjKtW8/s1600-h/darshanqsign.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355274533328805554" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHB0InCXrI/AAAAAAAAEo4/e78RbIjKtW8/s400/darshanqsign.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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.<br /><br />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".<br /><br /><strong>"SHREE CHAVADI"</strong><br /><br /><a style="" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlH8Hx7YWQI/AAAAAAAAEsg/KWxXc7Z64EQ/s1600-h/ShreeChavadinew.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355338642511911170" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlH8Hx7YWQI/AAAAAAAAEsg/KWxXc7Z64EQ/s400/ShreeChavadinew.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>"SAIBABA MUSEUM"<br /></strong><a style="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiLGLsprf5wgztTKTHI_5wB1NYn03YKTgcGan-eC0VTR0vlBxC7nQMT9oK2CLFGx7hj2B27N-VndFdKpc4uHNGZTnY6XpOzX78vxwOhKIod4wOGOCz7tHNdmiYyuF_57MoMe3UPqvLRU/s1600-h/SaibabaMuseum.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355274828036935234" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 299px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiLGLsprf5wgztTKTHI_5wB1NYn03YKTgcGan-eC0VTR0vlBxC7nQMT9oK2CLFGx7hj2B27N-VndFdKpc4uHNGZTnY6XpOzX78vxwOhKIod4wOGOCz7tHNdmiYyuF_57MoMe3UPqvLRU/s400/SaibabaMuseum.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>LADU PRASAD<br /></strong><br />THE SWEET LADU PRASAD SALE COUNTER IS NOW LOCATED TO THE NORTHERN SIDE OF "SAI PRASAD" BUILDING NO.2 NEAR THE CAR PARKING.<br />THE TIMINGS FOR THE SALE OF THESE LADU PRASAD IS 06:00 AM TO 10:00 PM (22:00Hrs)<br /><strong>UDHI DISTRIBUTION ROOM<br /></strong><br /><a style="" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHCnaL2AbI/AAAAAAAAEpg/MXATR0uJ-GI/s1600-h/udi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355275414219915698" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 225px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHCnaL2AbI/AAAAAAAAEpg/MXATR0uJ-GI/s400/udi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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<br /><br />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.<br /><strong>NANDADEEP</strong><br /><br /><a style="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Bcm6Sxaui_FAl3-3mw_rb29EqC1V3QuL2C7Wty0CPl_cSSVLOhl8UOuE3AdRO0QheXqLi30cQLvBdyxUsnHWSBp5k67MXwqB1BzGlldAQY2lUAgJIxOMdn1k4t6yi1858zhZqvNoS2E/s1600-h/nand+deep.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355276703437100050" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 241px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Bcm6Sxaui_FAl3-3mw_rb29EqC1V3QuL2C7Wty0CPl_cSSVLOhl8UOuE3AdRO0QheXqLi30cQLvBdyxUsnHWSBp5k67MXwqB1BzGlldAQY2lUAgJIxOMdn1k4t6yi1858zhZqvNoS2E/s400/nand+deep.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>MY VIEW -</strong> 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.<br /><br /><strong>SHOE STAND</strong><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>TELEVISION - LIVE DARSHAN<br /></strong><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>OPEN AIR THEATRE</strong><br /><a style="" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHCnGkYIqI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/D5VxI0exPm4/s1600-h/saithruwindow2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355275408954106530" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHCnGkYIqI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/D5VxI0exPm4/s400/saithruwindow2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHCm5C5xNI/AAAAAAAAEpI/D_M5Nv4SH1o/s1600-h/saithruwindow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355275405324043474" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHCm5C5xNI/AAAAAAAAEpI/D_M5Nv4SH1o/s400/saithruwindow.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>MY VIEW -</strong> 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.<br /><br /><strong>SHOPS IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES</strong><br /><br />"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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>"SHREE SAI SATYAVRAT POOJA HALL"</strong><br /><br />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.<br /><br />THE ABHISHEK POOJA TIMINGS ARE AS :<br />1St BATACH - 7.00 AM to 8.00 AM<br />2nd BATCH - 9.00 AM to 10.00 AM<br />3rd BATCH - 12.30 PM to 1.30 PM<br /><br /><strong>"SAI COMPLEX"<br /></strong><br /><a style="" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHDzHJE4hI/AAAAAAAAEqQ/mIEPTy5OmaE/s1600-h/Sai-Complex-Elevation.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355276714778092050" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 261px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHDzHJE4hI/AAAAAAAAEqQ/mIEPTy5OmaE/s400/Sai-Complex-Elevation.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>MY VIEW -</strong> "WE LOVE SHIRDI IN IT`S SIMPLICITY BUT SEEMS SOON SHIRDI WILL BECOME SIMPLY A CITY" !!!<br /><br /><strong>"MOBILE CLOAKROOM"<br /></strong><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>SAI-PRASADALAYA<br /></strong><a style="" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHFIwWFR9I/AAAAAAAAEqY/gqRA6F058Eg/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355278186127378386" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 250px; height: 185px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHFIwWFR9I/AAAAAAAAEqY/gqRA6F058Eg/s400/3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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 -<br />"SHRI SAI PRASADALAYA"<br />BEHIND POLICE STATION, SHIRDI,<br />NIMGAON SHIV ROAD,<br />NIMGAON KORHALE,<br />SHIRDI<br /><br /><strong>"DWARAVATI" BHAKT NIWAS<br /></strong><a style="" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHFJOpr8rI/AAAAAAAAEqg/a99nMvLWUfU/s1600-h/Dwaravati.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355278194262667954" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHFJOpr8rI/AAAAAAAAEqg/a99nMvLWUfU/s400/Dwaravati.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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".<br /><br /><strong>MESSAGE BOARDS WITHIN THE TEMPLE PREMISES</strong><br /><br /><a style="" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHFzK1PxgI/AAAAAAAAEqw/sdHoUF7YjKY/s1600-h/Image.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355278914791917058" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHFzK1PxgI/AAAAAAAAEqw/sdHoUF7YjKY/s400/Image.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>HANDLING THE RUSH OF DEVOTEES</strong><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>MY VIEW -</strong> 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.<br /><br />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 !<br /><br />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 !<br /><br />THE NEW GURUSTHAN, NANDA-DEEP ARE ALSO ENCLOSED IN STEEL BARRICADES TO SPEED UP THE HUGE RUSH OF DEVOTEES.<br /><strong>New Gurusthan<br /></strong><a style="" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHDy5O0PII/AAAAAAAAEqI/Zzj41DdQx9s/s1600-h/new+gurusthan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355276711044070530" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 285px; height: 380px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHDy5O0PII/AAAAAAAAEqI/Zzj41DdQx9s/s400/new+gurusthan.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>Neem tree<br /></strong><a style="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lbSWHroBJkl5Bf6vLoU9iqvTEOSFKwVbxCJZthBIknb12L928335FGCqpzVwR8Tt3t6fgWCCxhdga23at72u6nDowdMf17Cy1zxe3oN5nes9v9ovirqXa_NMcNDZj_g2S69QyQKZBGw/s1600-h/neem+tree.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355276707007830978" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 285px; height: 380px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lbSWHroBJkl5Bf6vLoU9iqvTEOSFKwVbxCJZthBIknb12L928335FGCqpzVwR8Tt3t6fgWCCxhdga23at72u6nDowdMf17Cy1zxe3oN5nes9v9ovirqXa_NMcNDZj_g2S69QyQKZBGw/s400/neem+tree.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>MY VIEW -</strong> 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.<br /><br /><strong>HOLY TIPS ON KAKAD AARTI MANGAL SNAN<br /></strong><br /><a style="" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHFzI2FgMI/AAAAAAAAEqo/I6aj2y_VrV8/s1600-h/Snan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355278914258567362" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 352px; height: 288px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHFzI2FgMI/AAAAAAAAEqo/I6aj2y_VrV8/s400/Snan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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. </p><p><strong>MY VIEW -</strong> 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.<br /><br />NOW FOR A VERY BLESSED TIP...WANT TO TAKE A SIP OF BABAS MANGAL SNAN`S (HOLY BATH) WATER...THEN READ ON...<br /><br />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 !<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><strong>HOLY TIP ON DWARKAMAI </strong></p><p><strong></strong><a style="" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHGkgGF97I/AAAAAAAAEq4/IHKdpzVZssA/s1600-h/DwarkamaiTeertha.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355279762313312178" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 325px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHGkgGF97I/AAAAAAAAEq4/IHKdpzVZssA/s400/DwarkamaiTeertha.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlH8Id3DVJI/AAAAAAAAEsw/FKr0-Y9g_bk/s1600-h/dwarkamai_entrance.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355338654304916626" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 199px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlH8Id3DVJI/AAAAAAAAEsw/FKr0-Y9g_bk/s400/dwarkamai_entrance.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><a style="" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlH8IBktaxI/AAAAAAAAEso/q-FA9ZSDuLk/s1600-h/dhwarakamai_shirdi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355338646711790354" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 388px; height: 255px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlH8IBktaxI/AAAAAAAAEso/q-FA9ZSDuLk/s400/dhwarakamai_shirdi.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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.<br /><br /><strong>BABAS DEVOTEES HOUSES IN SHIRDI VILLAGE GUIDE MAP</strong><br /><a style="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NHSz0UdIdOYOqa4keHA1zJsEwvAmJKLpwvL8sN_pr_0JE1zxvOkXVX_C-y-N-oQUUDCcyLVvV3ika_T9CI6DJGO8PWkzu_0u_AFdknimACrpQj7TrqU_gA7dSRLi0XQb2DBZW_4P-YI/s1600-h/Babasdevoteeshousesguidemap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355279767151235410" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 312px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NHSz0UdIdOYOqa4keHA1zJsEwvAmJKLpwvL8sN_pr_0JE1zxvOkXVX_C-y-N-oQUUDCcyLVvV3ika_T9CI6DJGO8PWkzu_0u_AFdknimACrpQj7TrqU_gA7dSRLi0XQb2DBZW_4P-YI/s400/Babasdevoteeshousesguidemap.jpg" border="0" /></a> MAP SOURCE - http://www.saibaba.com/holyshirdi/<br /><br />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. <p>BAYAJABAI`S HOUSE - BABA USED TO STAND ON THE STONE SEEN IN FRONT OF THE DOOR .</p><p><a style="" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHGlbEtYxI/AAAAAAAAErY/PT2kbKws1nk/s1600-h/BayajabaisHouse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355279778145198866" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 301px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHGlbEtYxI/AAAAAAAAErY/PT2kbKws1nk/s400/BayajabaisHouse.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>SHAMA`S HOUSE<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355279775066959122" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 200px; height: 160px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHGlPmzLRI/AAAAAAAAErQ/RIKP4dwhzuw/s400/Shamashouse.jpg" border="0" /> ABDUL BABA`S COTTAGE<br /><a style="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o56_mIKmigHVb05ckZODGADLN_gnsDvQ39aqQ9mCveo9Ifjsx7725h24e4Ty-wDFs2yFyex4BwEBvyhyphenhyphenvDoudz-9IkmSVdR22Fk_JD7OFRyRiOWTKHntb1hB-V4SZka0tQbttG_U_Xk/s1600-h/AbdulBabashouse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355279768041820114" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o56_mIKmigHVb05ckZODGADLN_gnsDvQ39aqQ9mCveo9Ifjsx7725h24e4Ty-wDFs2yFyex4BwEBvyhyphenhyphenvDoudz-9IkmSVdR22Fk_JD7OFRyRiOWTKHntb1hB-V4SZka0tQbttG_U_Xk/s400/AbdulBabashouse.jpg" border="0" /></a> MAHALSAPATI`S HOUSE<br /><a style="" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHaOS-rkeI/AAAAAAAAEsA/CTyCz47Vev8/s1600-h/MahalsapatiHouse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355301371067994594" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 291px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHaOS-rkeI/AAAAAAAAEsA/CTyCz47Vev8/s400/MahalsapatiHouse.jpg" border="0" /></a> LAXMIBAI SHINDE`S HOUSE WITH HER SAMADHI RIGHT INFRONT OF IT<br /><a style="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLnxifcufzrsB8SfbAesNHb14eAaYoxY-6fMx0gN7x_3bUwbFrNaji3jspeZ01MqSjro-IYd6m36kVEmBz937w2kWxF1M83RGHMDsmhGUTek_7LIUdK_dqaGEWc5QpQ3f60QqgF5V0yw/s1600-h/LaxmibaisHouse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355301366540862162" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 287px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLnxifcufzrsB8SfbAesNHb14eAaYoxY-6fMx0gN7x_3bUwbFrNaji3jspeZ01MqSjro-IYd6m36kVEmBz937w2kWxF1M83RGHMDsmhGUTek_7LIUdK_dqaGEWc5QpQ3f60QqgF5V0yw/s400/LaxmibaisHouse.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />(BUT THE DO NOT FORGET TO SHARE IT WITH US ALL Hmmm !!!)<br /><br /><strong>"KHANDOBA TEMPLE"</strong><br /><a style="" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHaOpcnw2I/AAAAAAAAEsQ/7Wy5U11u4qg/s1600-h/khandoba+temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355301377099154274" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 222px; height: 280px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AJLN9CQdImM/SlHaOpcnw2I/AAAAAAAAEsQ/7Wy5U11u4qg/s400/khandoba+temple.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbiCHf_1JDWNuWRwcbMPBktxKlo7Er-pOZPnmBraK3vQp1w93uM6tVwRI1P8mp5c-7GKx0ptJy2E0eozuv-QPFEdInB7N59wODoULt1ynZEOZpbG1Oli1VgneOT3p3q2rpwUkw3FcbWE/s1600-h/Khandobamandirshirdi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355301374291869426" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbiCHf_1JDWNuWRwcbMPBktxKlo7Er-pOZPnmBraK3vQp1w93uM6tVwRI1P8mp5c-7GKx0ptJy2E0eozuv-QPFEdInB7N59wODoULt1ynZEOZpbG1Oli1VgneOT3p3q2rpwUkw3FcbWE/s400/Khandobamandirshirdi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />ONCE YOU FINISH OFF WITHIN & AROUND THE TEMPLE PREMISES DO NOT FORGET TO HAVE DARSHAN OF LORD KHANDOBA AT THE KHANDOBA TEMPLE,<br />JUST CLOSE BY NEAR THE "SHRI SAINATH HOSPITAL" ON THE MAIN ROAD ITSELF. IT HAS THE IDOLS OF LORD KHANDOBA , BANAI & MHALSAI.sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-1952940545302139812009-09-04T01:09:00.000-07:002009-09-04T01:11:53.350-07:00Legend of Shirdi Coins<strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />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. </span></strong> <div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-l3O7o5jJVE/SqBVluWVMSI/AAAAAAAAEI0/yGo6pKHFtDI/s1600-h/LAXMI+MAA+SHALEJA+MAA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377392061665587490" style="height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-l3O7o5jJVE/SqBVluWVMSI/AAAAAAAAEI0/yGo6pKHFtDI/s400/LAXMI+MAA+SHALEJA+MAA.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Earlier these coins were preserved in a metallic frame but Ritu Nanda helped in the making of a silver frame,'' informs Shailajamma .<br />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. </span></strong><br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-l3O7o5jJVE/SqBSV3hG0kI/AAAAAAAAEIs/N_2rxaOOgZQ/s1600-h/SHAILAJA+MAA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377388490713911874" style="height: 361px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-l3O7o5jJVE/SqBSV3hG0kI/AAAAAAAAEIs/N_2rxaOOgZQ/s400/SHAILAJA+MAA.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>``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 </strong></span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://us.mc551.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=goodhari@yahoo.com"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>goodhari@yahoo. com</strong></span></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong> . 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. </strong></span><br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-l3O7o5jJVE/SqBQD3cF0dI/AAAAAAAAEIk/W-druhuIIuI/s1600-h/SUNRISE+SAI+SANDESH+3+copy+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377385982431973842" style="height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-l3O7o5jJVE/SqBQD3cF0dI/AAAAAAAAEIk/W-druhuIIuI/s400/SUNRISE+SAI+SANDESH+3+copy+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">bow to shri sai peace be to all</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"></span></strong></div>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-23461042585528208252009-09-03T01:52:00.000-07:002009-09-03T01:53:55.414-07:00Sai Ganesha<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="color: red;">WHO IS THIS SITTING ON BABA'S THRONE & IN DWARKAMAI?<br /><br />Is it Shri Sai or is it Shri Ganesha?</span><br /><br /><img src="http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/6571/metro112.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><img src="http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/4628/282650008586763c32ee.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="color: red;">It's "SHRI SAI GANESHA" !<br /><br />OM SAI GANESHAY NAMH!!!!!!!<br /></span></b></span></span>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-58864145249852146372009-09-03T01:49:00.000-07:002009-09-03T01:51:10.185-07:00There is nothing sweeter in the world than Divine Name<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#003366;" >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 <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1251871030_1" style="border-bottom: medium none;">glory of God</span>. In doing so, you would have rendered a great help to the whole world. Chant God's Name and make your heart sacred.<br />om sai ram<br /></span>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-58649692846308511032009-09-03T01:47:00.000-07:002009-09-03T01:48:52.912-07:00not a real picture of sai baba<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-awikAmPGLjbGeby1RL49hGH4TXawrVZOEgG6IN4WHON3YNgi4Hd-o8xnKTejPguyJHCVjR1R8qNtjjtsWyB_NsIGhChetJckPGLvk448Quc-gKu-8pCKttZpNEi3QHojQFgDNUdPAvo/s1600-h/5209_112348577475_109094072475_2438877_1146489_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-awikAmPGLjbGeby1RL49hGH4TXawrVZOEgG6IN4WHON3YNgi4Hd-o8xnKTejPguyJHCVjR1R8qNtjjtsWyB_NsIGhChetJckPGLvk448Quc-gKu-8pCKttZpNEi3QHojQFgDNUdPAvo/s320/5209_112348577475_109094072475_2438877_1146489_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377160264345053458" border="0" /></a>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-169782038034913172009-07-05T23:57:00.000-07:002009-07-06T00:00:58.095-07:00Shirdi to get 200 Room Bhaktiniwas from Railways<a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUd6_widfRcValuHyFmjrhdDlSEhTGwgQFsLV6QZndT5v-ii6sOt1PAPKFYM0tKsm226siGbwdIP_vIp2lQe0JWGaDmEVjS4A4FwfQ64ArAxB_ml1qeWnU1NBY-j9RpiadJsW8GaQvC4Y/s1600-h/Sai2009+%281%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUd6_widfRcValuHyFmjrhdDlSEhTGwgQFsLV6QZndT5v-ii6sOt1PAPKFYM0tKsm226siGbwdIP_vIp2lQe0JWGaDmEVjS4A4FwfQ64ArAxB_ml1qeWnU1NBY-j9RpiadJsW8GaQvC4Y/s320/Sai2009+%281%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355238004111495698" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">By M.T. Correspondent, Shirdi<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />After being elected as the Railway Minister, K H Muniyappa immediately came to Shirdi to seek Saibaba's blessings.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />A New Train service along this route Loni-Sangamner-Akola-<wbr>Bhandardar a Dam was requested by the devotees for which the railways commented that they will check its feasibility and then decide on it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Source -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/t.asp?/445584/14959361/http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4646918.cms" target="_blank">http://maharashtratimes.<wbr>indiatimes.com/articleshow/<wbr>4646918.cms</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />MCCIA suggests introduction of Superfast Trains from Shirdi to Tirupati<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />29 Jun 2009, 0401 hrs IST, TNN<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Source -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/t.asp?/445584/14959361/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4713474.cms" target="_blank">http://timesofindia.<wbr>indiatimes.com/articleshow/<wbr>4713474.cms</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Credits : Article forwarded by Sai Brother Rohit ji<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />om sai ram<br /></span></span>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-61517394481897036862009-04-02T23:17:00.000-07:002009-04-02T23:28:09.453-07:00RAM NAVMI FESTIVAL IN SHIRDI<a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCGbUCa0MRuJEpAc8W2y8QAo8bLda5WgNcdrGKAp87hqES5Wpw_Ctyj-Htc-qfVNSHla5EjdhYv8hTX9vx3H0up3YPw9uXanGJetAj4SaHCIYD0mUC96nK2DN3tCsZ1bVopjO8Iv6Y7mG/s1600-h/sai+ram+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCGbUCa0MRuJEpAc8W2y8QAo8bLda5WgNcdrGKAp87hqES5Wpw_Ctyj-Htc-qfVNSHla5EjdhYv8hTX9vx3H0up3YPw9uXanGJetAj4SaHCIYD0mUC96nK2DN3tCsZ1bVopjO8Iv6Y7mG/s320/sai+ram+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320346191931588402" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2SYqEX35BqjGtQ2x0XTSzWMMQC_DQEtYv4XzmIHKtjOf5LUUEUH71DPIEtUTe4z8GgmioZiDfwSCcDk7k6UgOBahFVHTYQb75_p0tMMFpbv3y3ITBJL6b3M9RM94ST-XR67sPuZk3wX_/s1600-h/rm-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2SYqEX35BqjGtQ2x0XTSzWMMQC_DQEtYv4XzmIHKtjOf5LUUEUH71DPIEtUTe4z8GgmioZiDfwSCcDk7k6UgOBahFVHTYQb75_p0tMMFpbv3y3ITBJL6b3M9RM94ST-XR67sPuZk3wX_/s320/rm-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320345767464985138" border="0" /></a><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cabc%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="time"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:windowtext;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">HAPPY RAM NAVMI</p><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cabc%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">RAMA-NAVAMI FESTIVAL IN SHIRDI
<br /></span></b><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><b style="">Efficacy of the Touch of Guru’s Hand</b></p> <p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">W</span>here 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 <st1:place>Krishna</st1:place> and makes me listen to his Life. For instance when I sit to listen to Bhagwat, Sai becomes <st1:place>Krishna</st1:place> 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. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">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: - </p> <p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"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." </p> <p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">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. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><b style="">Origin</b> </p> <p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">O</span>ne, 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. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">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. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><b style="">The ‘Sandal’ Procession <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">T</span>here 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. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><b style="">Arrangement <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">T</span>his 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. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><b style="">Transformation of Urus into Rama-Navami Festival <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">T</span>hings 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. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">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 <st1:country-region><st1:place>Mali</st1:place></st1:country-region>, 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.</p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Since 1912, this festival began to grow gradually year-by-year. From the </span><st1:time style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" minute="52" hour="11"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">8th to 12th</span></st1:time><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> 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</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">.</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">BOW TO SHIRI SAI - PEACE BE TO ALL</span>
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<br />sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-25978671300772986182009-03-22T22:33:00.000-07:002009-03-22T22:37:29.837-07:00Places to visit in Shirdi - Temple Complex Shirdi<a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0J3G86ZLYXYxedIHbGu8Vm7LPVUIiwaxUSDZ78W_wawEAWVWkhpIG93p2WZ7HYIOr-INwmE0gSilXCX-_4FwImdZ5Fk2qwjrPgiToaZfKmIGl4Evu_NdiiHxpuDOcY1pt2HzLSt74iGC8/s1600-h/saijan1uc5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0J3G86ZLYXYxedIHbGu8Vm7LPVUIiwaxUSDZ78W_wawEAWVWkhpIG93p2WZ7HYIOr-INwmE0gSilXCX-_4FwImdZ5Fk2qwjrPgiToaZfKmIGl4Evu_NdiiHxpuDOcY1pt2HzLSt74iGC8/s320/saijan1uc5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316252832635713266" border="0" /></a><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">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.</p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:placename>Khandoba</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:placetype><br /></st1:placetype></st1:place></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">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 <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">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.</p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Gurusthan</p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">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.</p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Samadhi Mandir</p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">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. </p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">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.</p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Dwarkamai</p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">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. </p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">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.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Chavadi</p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">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 <st1:time hour="5" minute="0">5am</st1:time> 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.</p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:placename>Lendi</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Gardens</st1:placetype></st1:place></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:placetype><br /></st1:placetype></st1:place></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">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.</p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-30616509384661069492009-03-22T22:28:00.000-07:002009-03-22T22:32:53.293-07:00All Sai devotees should utilize Shri Sai Satcharitra in the following manner:<a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkAj0aJEjYLpqR9gCJWTacdOuzHA9_uh7G7xqt2gCiJqRJbpL1G5mZ6cQjdgicACjBVpgAnNlRxsEgTupJgQ97pJTDezXazzpI6MTyIufd4YbbDqhNaXarVfiGJlCARnuZDcaTDlSi5Ja/s1600-h/SaiSatcharitra1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkAj0aJEjYLpqR9gCJWTacdOuzHA9_uh7G7xqt2gCiJqRJbpL1G5mZ6cQjdgicACjBVpgAnNlRxsEgTupJgQ97pJTDezXazzpI6MTyIufd4YbbDqhNaXarVfiGJlCARnuZDcaTDlSi5Ja/s320/SaiSatcharitra1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316251439245110930" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">All Sai devotees should utilize Shri Sai Satcharitra in the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">following manner:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Get the book, Shri Sai Satcharitra in whatever language one choose</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">to read. Neatly wrap it in a piece of cloth, and place it near</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Baba's photograph or idol with due sanctity.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Whether at home or elsewhere, one should always read a few pages of</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">the book every night before going to sleep. Every devotee should try</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">to keep Baba as the last thought before going to sleep.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">During a crisis it should be read devoutly for a week, as is</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">mentioned in Shri Sai Satcharitra. If possible reading should begin</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">on a Thursday or on some other special day, such a Ramnavmi,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Dussehra, Gurupurnima, Janmashtami, Mahashivratri, Navratri, etc.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">After its completion on the seventh day, one should feed the poor</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">and destitute either in the Temple or at home or wherever possible.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">One should read it sitting in some isolated corner in the Temple or</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">in front of Baba's statue or photograph/painting . If other people</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">are present, then it should be read to them as well. Group reading</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">should always be encouraged.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Wherever and whenever possible, it should be read continuously from</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">sunrise to sunset in the Temples on auspicious days. Devotees may be</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">asked to read in turns, as in done in chanting the holy name i.e.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Naamjap. Encourage children to read this book. Question-answer</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">competitions based on Shri Sai Satcharitra can be organized in</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Temples.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Shri Sai Satcharitra should be read to the devotees who are sick,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">aged and those nearing death as much as possible. All of them will</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">get peace.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Shri Sai Satcharitra is reasonably priced book and is easily</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">available in Shirdi. Therefore, any devotee visiting Shirdi must</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">bring few copies with him to distribute among the people free of</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">cost.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">At times of stress and agony, if one sincerely searches for the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">answers from Shri Sai Satcharitra he will not only find the answers</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">but also solace. His faith will grow in Baba.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">May Shri Sainath reveal the Divine knowledge and mysteries contained</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">in this book to the devotees in the same manner in which He had</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">inspired Hemadpant to write this book. Shri Sai Satcharitra should</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">be considered by all devotees as the Gita,Bible, and Holy Quran.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Bow to shri sai - peace be to all<br />sai ram<br /></span>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-66104698872236085062009-03-20T23:07:00.000-07:002009-03-20T23:10:28.907-07:00CENTRAL RAILWAYS ADVERTISEMENT OF SAI EXPRESS<a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwMYXgMXBeqBfJQl46pVy_QQbGJnWp1WCGVOakGKMRulrl8h3TSYrDLLneFZqHCQwriV5dWtOeG_RUSNXSHqoeq13KiFlmXv7Uq_jS8urmljkMwP7OnTFE5spPQcJixKIGkEM9Ew9Th-x/s1600-h/Shirdi_Rail_Timings.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwMYXgMXBeqBfJQl46pVy_QQbGJnWp1WCGVOakGKMRulrl8h3TSYrDLLneFZqHCQwriV5dWtOeG_RUSNXSHqoeq13KiFlmXv7Uq_jS8urmljkMwP7OnTFE5spPQcJixKIGkEM9Ew9Th-x/s320/Shirdi_Rail_Timings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315519083914175970" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">OM SAI RAM</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">here is an advertisement of Central Railways published in The Times of India Newspaper on 21/03/2009 on the overwhelming response by Devotees thronging to go to Shirdi by Saiexpress.</span>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-56462784601255736902009-03-19T23:49:00.000-07:002009-03-19T23:58:58.240-07:00Thousands of Sai Baba devotees receive Anna Dana<a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqU3n0j8r1fkSFwJlfYer0hVADQl-4UIr7v5Vt2wZvMPZ9vAxSVYSIXdKHW2sVsyeMVIF1-DO9vo9NMINqkWpudrTrdIjrJlmNU-fUE1Hvn3STa9QlFggvEgSXFHNR1x2NLCKkHaenEbV/s1600-h/18012009033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqU3n0j8r1fkSFwJlfYer0hVADQl-4UIr7v5Vt2wZvMPZ9vAxSVYSIXdKHW2sVsyeMVIF1-DO9vo9NMINqkWpudrTrdIjrJlmNU-fUE1Hvn3STa9QlFggvEgSXFHNR1x2NLCKkHaenEbV/s320/18012009033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315159889634059474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_Qb-D2ZlbQHENtw-0_JKOTqwuQLMUcMThwLUVFDb41YJgtiJBIxJPUSQ8TTNby94ODJxFggfFdFgNLcjOCZ7PF6rxPxV4uv6Z_IJS_EOBmdtqT8mxzY5A9SaPlvOc0GGOgvwhfuA3Qih/s1600-h/18012009045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_Qb-D2ZlbQHENtw-0_JKOTqwuQLMUcMThwLUVFDb41YJgtiJBIxJPUSQ8TTNby94ODJxFggfFdFgNLcjOCZ7PF6rxPxV4uv6Z_IJS_EOBmdtqT8mxzY5A9SaPlvOc0GGOgvwhfuA3Qih/s320/18012009045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315158894720250466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwTANXjDIfWpXzmJbC4Ns982cfeZYqSbarTUBhP3x5F2k7VVU8uMB1JTa2lgeUUlcMhKvOGdvzW70fidkLVQ_ehyGHVswvcvIOqRl6lN0uHnKH8o91iWSjhOQwf9QPBySCV_szdHpl88E/s1600-h/18012009029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwTANXjDIfWpXzmJbC4Ns982cfeZYqSbarTUBhP3x5F2k7VVU8uMB1JTa2lgeUUlcMhKvOGdvzW70fidkLVQ_ehyGHVswvcvIOqRl6lN0uHnKH8o91iWSjhOQwf9QPBySCV_szdHpl88E/s320/18012009029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315158894085610338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Sai Prasadalya</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><h1 style=";font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><u>Thousands of Sai Baba devotees receive Anna Dana</u></span></h1> <div class="dt-in" style=";font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt;" align="center"><span style="height: 19px;">Shirdi (Maharashtra) , Wed, 18 Mar 2009</span> </div> <div class="dt-in" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center"><strong>Shirdi (Maharashtra) , Mar.18</strong> (ANI): Tens of thousands of devotees of Sai Baba were recently given Anna Dana at the annual prasadalaya function here, taking forward a tradition first started by the Sai Baba himself. </div> <p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">Devotees accepted the delicious prasad at a nominal rate. Sources at the Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust said, nearly 1.5 crore devotees benefited from the prasad and the meals that were served.</p> <div face="times new roman,new york,times,serif" size="12pt" style="" align="center"> </div> <p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">The trust spends Rs.25 crore annually on the prasadlaya. The donation is considered very valuable in today's age, which is known as KALYUG in the Hindu mythological context.</p> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center"> </div> <p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">According to the trust, one should constantly endeavor to donate and help the needy, especially those who are suffering from hunger and malnutrition.</p> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center"> </div> <p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">Legend has it that Sai Baba used to feed the hungry in his own unique way, taking the whole process to a spiritual plane.</p> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">He used to prepare the food himself, and ground the spices on a grinding stone. He also used to purchase foodgrains that were to be cooked and subsequently distributed by him personally.</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center"> </div> <p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">The trust is really a place of faith for all Sai Baba devotees. They relish their food, which can be procured for as little as Rs.5 per person and Rs.2 for a child.</p> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center"> </div> <p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">On any given normal day, 35,000 to 40,000 devotees attend the activities at the Sai Baba Trust. During occasions like festivals and vacations, the number goes up to 70,000 or 80,000.</p> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center"> </div> <p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">One hall can accommodate up to 5,000 devotees, and a meal often includes servings of rice, roti, dal, two vegetables and a sweetmeat.</p> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center"> Free provision of food is given to the poor, blind, the physically challenged and hermits.</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center"> </div> <p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">The prasadalaya purchases the foodgrains once a year, and it includes 9000 quintals of wheat, 5,500 quintals of rice, 6,500 quintals of besan, 9,500 quintals of sugar, and 11,000 quintals of tur dal, besides 6,200 quintals of vegetables which are stored in the cold storage of the trust. Another 2000 quintals of food grains is also purchased every year.</p> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center"> </div> <p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">The prasadalaya operates for twelve hours every day and has 474 workers., 404 of whom are permanent.</p> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center">The prasadalaya is the largest of its kind in India. A one storeyed building which has been built on seven acres of land at a cost of Rs.20 crores. (ANI)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bow to shiri sai - peace be to all</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> <p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;" align="center"> </p></span>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-79737739785774554902009-03-18T00:26:00.000-07:002009-03-18T00:31:38.233-07:00Baba's Mosque(Dwarkamai) INTRODUCTION<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IswzMOCKeqVpFiA0jjXGi5J4hNcRpnwiJ_sf9EhBiCU2npsWMIbG4Tycv5J2bvzuF0VTo2Wy-Yeh-4zhztOVfFIS5r54PmHLNUBy1XHR-473p19FYCKIifMPdb1j_nHWldh3ahVZ8aHx/s1600-h/1b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IswzMOCKeqVpFiA0jjXGi5J4hNcRpnwiJ_sf9EhBiCU2npsWMIbG4Tycv5J2bvzuF0VTo2Wy-Yeh-4zhztOVfFIS5r54PmHLNUBy1XHR-473p19FYCKIifMPdb1j_nHWldh3ahVZ8aHx/s320/1b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314426723398737954" border="0" /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">INTRODUCTION</span></a> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" id="content"><div class="content_head"><span style="overflow: visible; position: relative;" id="spnName" class="sw_headding_1 jrcRounded"></span> <p class="sw_text_1">"Highly merciful is this masjid ayi. Once a person climbs into her lap, all their troubles are over."<br /> <span class="sw_text_2">Sri Sai Baba</span> </p> </div> <div> <img id="Img1" src="http://www.saibaba.com/saiweb/images/holyshirdi/new/mosque-1.jpg" alt="chavadi.jpg" title="chavadi.jpg" class="sw_img_right" /> </div> <p> Arriving at the mosque for the first time, you may be rather surprised. Was this simple, unadorned structure really the home of "God on earth"? Was this really the centre from which so many miraculous events sprang? Could such a modest building have been the scene of the highest spiritual instruction that flowed forth in almost as many different forms as the number of visitors seeking it?</p> <p> With its corrugated iron roof and rough stone walls, the mosque could never be described as grand. Yet, in spite of this - or rather, because of this - it seems to have suited Baba very well. Describing himself as a simple fakir, Baba was a model of dispassion and non-attachment. His personal possessions amounted to little more than a few pieces of cloth, some chillim pipes, a stick, a begging bowl, and a change of kafni - and not always even that. Whenever his devotees wanted to refurbish the mosque, Baba resisted, saying that it was not necessary, although basic repair work was gradually carried out. </p> <p> To the devotees of Sai Baba, Dwarkamai is one of the treasures of Shirdi. The spirit of tolerance, acceptance and welcome for all is very much alive. Baba has said that merely going inside the mosque will confer blessings, and the experiences of devotees confirm this. Sai Baba respected all religions and creeds, and all had free access to the mosque. It is typically unique of Sai Baba that he regarded a place of worship - the mosque - as a mother. He once told a visitor, "Dwarka-mai is this very mosque. She makes those who ascend her steps fearless. This masjid ayi is very kind. Those who come here reach their goal!" As Sri Babuji has observed, "The Islamic concept of the masjid as the solemn court of the sovereign Creator has been transformed by Sri Sai Baba in his own unique and inimitable way, into the loving lap of a doting mother, the masjid ayi." </p> <p> On entering the mosque, one is struck by its powerful atmosphere and the intensity and absorption with which visitors are going about their worship. Another point we notice is the great diversity of devotional expression. Some people will be kneeling before Baba's picture or making offerings, others will be praying before the dhuni (perpetually burning sacred fire), some may be doing japa or reading from sacred texts, and others will be sitting in contemplation. </p> <p> If we spend some time here we may become aware of a mysterious phenomenon. The "ayi" aspect of the masjid reveals itself in a number of ways and we feel we are sitting in Baba's drawing room. See that child over there happily crawling around with a toffee in its mouth, or her sister colouring a comic book? And what about that old man complaining to Baba about his aches and pains, or that woman sitting with her son on her lap telling him a story? Opposite is a large family group. The grandmother has a tiffin tin, and having offered some to Baba, she walks around giving a handful of payasam (sweet rice) to everyone in the mosque. We almost feel we are receiving prasad from Baba himself, and perhaps we are then reminded of some of the stories in Baba's life in which devotees brought offerings, or when he affectionately distributed fruit or sweets with his own hands. The atmosphere is so homely in this abode of Sai-mavuli! But what is perhaps more remarkable, is that this homeliness co-exists with a powerful experience of the sacred and transcendent. The spirit is profoundly moved by "something" - something indefinable, something great, something mysterious, something magnetically attractive. </p> <p> As we explore Sai Baba's Shirdi, this aspect of Baba - at once the concerned mother and the Almighty - is shown again and again. Many devotees relate to Baba as a mother, and many as a God supreme. That these two are so perfectly synthesized in Baba - see his care for both the smallest domestic detail as well as the ultimate spiritual attainment - is perhaps the most beautiful and unique aspect of Shirdi Sai. </p> <p> When Sai Baba moved into this mosque it was an abandoned and dilapidated mud structure, much smaller than the one we see today. In fact, it extended only as far as the steps and wrought iron dividers enclosing the upper section, with the rest of the area an outside courtyard. There were no iron bars around the mosque or the dhuni as there are today, and according to Hemadpant, there were "knee-deep holes and pits in the ground"! Part of the roof had collapsed and the rest was in imminent danger of following, so it was a rather hazardous place to live! Once when Baba was sitting in the mosque, eating with a few devotees, there was a loud crack overhead. Baba immediately raised his hand and said, "Sabar, sabar," ("Wait, wait"). The noise stopped and the group carried on with their meal, but when they got up and went out, a large piece of the roof came crashing down onto the exact spot where they had been sitting!<br /></p><p> Baba's devotees sometimes pestered him to allow them to renovate the mosque but his initial response was always to refuse. For him there was no need for any alterations. Once, in the mid-1890s, a devotee had some building materials delivered to the mosque with the intention that they should be used for repair work, but Baba had them redirected to a couple of local temples that were in need of restoration.</p> <p> Later, Nana Chandorkar and Nana Nimonkar were determined that some reconstruction should go ahead, while Baba appeared to be equally adamant that it should not, although he eventually gave permission for it through the intervention of Mhalsapati. At first, whatever work was done, Baba would undo. It seems not an uncommon occurrence with Baba that whenever a new proposal was put forward, particularly with regard to renovation, he would first oppose it, often vehemently, even violently, before eventually acquiescing and allowing the work to go ahead. Eventually the construction team resorted to working at night, and then only on those alternate nights when Baba slept in the Chavadi. </p> <p> By about 1912 the renovation work was complete and all that remained to be done was the metal roofing for the courtyard. For this, one of Baba's most intimate devotees, Tatya Kote Patil, and some others, arranged for materials to be brought from Bombay. They then set about the work, including digging a trench for the erection of some iron poles, without asking Baba's permission.</p> <p> When Baba returned from the Chavadi to the mosque and saw what was happening he appeared to be furious, demanding, "What is going on? Who has done this?" He promptly ripped out the poles with his own two hands (though it had taken several people to carry them), and threw stones at the labourers to drive them away. Then he grabbed Tatya by the scruff of his neck until he was unable to speak and almost choking, and violently berated him. </p> <p> Most of the labourers fled in terror and Tatya was left with Baba. Despite his precarious predicament and Baba's vehement objection to the project, Tatya insisted that the work should be done. Baba threw him to the ground, snatched off the turban that Tatya always wore, flung it into the trench and set fire to it. Still Tatya insisted on the need to make repairs and vowed that he would never wear a turban again until the work was complete. Baba finally relented and by evening had cooled down sufficiently to call Tatya and tell him to again put on a turban. Tatya, however, refused. Eventually, in his loving concern, Baba gave money to someone to bring new cloth and himself tied a new turban on his steadfast devotee. </p> <p> Some time after this event, Kakasaheb Dixit replaced the original mud floor with tiles and the work was complete. </p> <p> When Sri Sai Baba moved into the mosque permanently, he had already been in Shirdi for a number of years, staying mostly under the neem tree, with an occasional night at the mosque or in the near vicinity. It could be said that Baba's settling in the mosque marked a turning point in his life, or rather, in that of the village itself, as the shift brought him into closer contact with the local people. </p> <p> Although Baba had been healing people since his early days in Shirdi and was sometimes called "Hakim" (Doctor), it was a specific and dramatic event which brought him to the attention of the local populace, and it took place in the mosque. Throughout his life Baba displayed a fondness for lights and lamps and would regularly light panatis (small earthenware pots with cotton wicks and oil) in the mosque and certain local temples, in accordance with the Hindu and Muslim view that places of worship should be illuminated at night. For this he depended on the generosity of a few local shopkeepers from whom he used to beg oil. One day, however, his suppliers brusquely refused to give him any oil, claiming that they were out of stock. Baba took this calmly and returned to the mosque empty-handed. The shopkeepers followed him in the gathering gloom, curious to see what he would do. What they witnessed brought them to their knees in awe and wonder. Baba took some water from the pot kept in the mosque, and put it in the jar he used for collecting oil. Shaking it up he drank the oily water, then took another jar of water and filled the four lamps with it. Next he lit the lamps, and - to the shopkeepers' astonishment - they not only burned, but remained alight all night. Afraid of being cursed by a man of such powers, the shopkeepers begged Baba's forgiveness. This was freely given, but Baba pointed out the importance of speaking the truth - if they did not want to give, they should simply say so directly and not lie about it. </p> <p> The wondrous nature of this event, which is said to have taken place in 1892, and the many such leelas which followed, precipitated an influx of visitors to the Shirdi mosque that has never stopped growing. To this day, lamps are burnt continually in Dwarkamai, providing us with an unbroken link to Baba and the lamps that he himself started and lovingly kept alight. </p> <p> During Baba's time Dwarkamai was always referred to simply as "the masjid" or mosque. The name "Dwarkamai" came into popular vogue only after Baba passed away but was first coined when a devotee once expressed a wish to make a pilgrimage to Dwarka, a town in Gujarat sacred to Krishna. Baba replied that there was no need to go as that very mosque was Dwarka. "Dwarka" also means "many-gated", and "mai" means mother, hence "the many-gated mother" (and Baba did often call it the "masjid ayi"). The author of the English adaptation of Shri Sai Satcharitra, N. V. Gunaji, identifies another definition of Dwarka as given in the Skanda Purana - a place open to all four castes of people (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras) for the realization of the four corresponding aims of human existence (i.e. moksha or liberation, dharma or righteousness, artha or wealth, and kama or sensual pleasure). In fact, Baba's mosque was open not only to all castes, but also to untouchables and those without caste. All these interpretations of the name are appropriate for Sai Baba's mosque, but the association that is dearest to the heart of a sentimental Sai devotee is that pointed out by Sri Babuji - dwar-ka-mai: the mother (mai) waiting at the door (dwark) to nourish her child. Just as a loving mother will allow her child to continue playing happily until he or she gets weary or hungry, and will then offer whatever her child needs, so our motherly Sai Baba is waiting to receive us. </p> <p> Appropriately, Dwarkamai remains open all night (the lower level, that is) so we may go there at any time. During festivals and weekends the mosque may be deluged by devotees, but at other times, especially late at night, it will be less crowded. Three days a year, during the festivals of Ramnavami, Gurupoornima and Vijayadasami, the upper level is also kept open for twenty-four hours continuously. </p></div>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-378881102459599652009-03-18T00:23:00.000-07:002009-03-18T00:26:14.953-07:00The Dhuni<a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85T1f_lv3c5JS3WZHwmBteFbVF4PhlhCFLUrxJHVptaVhoOpvtCOjIK5ztiD_sKZFGEMqVdZHoaQhw4fY3iTFCmGxp6u610s74MUhVxMYV8RmgdCmnSkEkfLaiP5WCgWbuRjSspCvcNVw/s1600-h/000k01w6ZuH.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85T1f_lv3c5JS3WZHwmBteFbVF4PhlhCFLUrxJHVptaVhoOpvtCOjIK5ztiD_sKZFGEMqVdZHoaQhw4fY3iTFCmGxp6u610s74MUhVxMYV8RmgdCmnSkEkfLaiP5WCgWbuRjSspCvcNVw/s320/000k01w6ZuH.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314425503887410370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" id="content"> <div class="content_head"> <span style="overflow: visible; position: relative;" id="spnName" class="sw_headding_1 jrcRounded"><canvas class="jrCorner jrcTL" style="display: block; position: absolute; left: -11px; top: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcTR" style="display: block; position: absolute; right: 0pt; top: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcBL" style="display: block; position: absolute; left: -11px; bottom: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcBR" style="display: block; position: absolute; right: 0pt; bottom: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas></span><span class="sw_subtitle_2"></span><br /></div> <div> <br /> </div> <p>For many visitors, the dhuni is the most significant part of Dwarkamai, as it is so intimately associated with Baba. The dhuni is the sacred, perpetually burning fire that Baba built and which has been maintained ever since, though today the fire is much bigger and is enclosed behind a wire cage.</p> <p>The maintenance of a dhuni is important in several traditions, including Zoroastrianism, Sufism and Hinduism (especially the Nath sect). Fire was also important to Baba, as wherever he stayed - whether under the neem tree, in the forest, or in the mosque - he always kept a dhuni. Baba, however, was not bound by any convention or set rules, nor did he worship the fire. He simply maintained it, using it for his own particular and mysterious purposes. There were none of the classic restrictions around Baba's dhuni. Baba did not prevent others from touching it - indeed, villagers would sometimes come to take embers with which to kindle their own household fires, and whenever Radhakrishnayi used to spring-clean and whitewash the mosque at festival times, she would move the dhuni into the street outside. Baba did not confine himself to burning only wood on the dhuni, but would throw his old clothes on it once they were worn out, and he would adjust the fire with his foot. (In Indian culture it is considered disrespectful to touch or point to anything with the foot.) One day, the fire in the mosque got wildly out of control, with flames leaping up to the roof. None of those present with Baba dared say anything to him but they were nervous. Baba responded to their uneasiness, not by prayer or supplication, but by majesterially rapping his satka (stick) against a pillar and ordering the flames to come down and be calm. At each stroke the flames diminished and the fire was soon restored to normal.</p> <p> When Baba returned from his morning begging rounds with a cloth bag of food and a tin pot of liquids, he would first offer some of it at the dhuni before taking any himself. We may not be able to discern exactly why or how Baba used the dhuni, but it is evident that despite the apparent informality around it, the fire was an important part of his routine. According to the Shri Sai Satcharitra, the fire symbolized and facilitated purification and was the focus of oblations, where Baba would intercede on behalf of his devotees. Once when Baba was asked why he had a fire, he replied that it was for burning our sins, or karma. It is reported that Baba would spend hours sitting in contemplation by the dhuni, facing south, especially early in the morning after getting up and again at sunset. Mrs Tarkhad, who had Baba's darshan regularly, says that at these times "He would wave his arms and fingers about, making gestures which conveyed no meaning to the onlookers and saying 'Haq' which means God."</p><p>The spot where Baba used to sit is marked by a small pair of silver padukas. Look carefully - on the floor just in front and to the right of the dhuni - for they are easy to miss. We feel awed when we see the padukas and reflect on what issued from here - this was the spot where Baba stood and sat, his finger on the pulse of the universe, controlling, effecting, giving, protecting, never resting but constantly seeing to the needs of his devotees, for as he said, "If I don't take care of my children night and day, what will become of them?"</p> <p>Today the dhuni is maintained in a carefully designed structure lined with special fire-bricks, in the same place that Baba used to have it. Baba made an intriguing comment about this spot, saying that it was the burial place of one Muzafar Shah, a well-to-do landowner, with whom he once lived and for whom he had cooked. This is recorded in Charters and Sayings, but as so frequently when Baba speaks about his personal history, we do not know to which life he was referring.</p> <p>In 1998 the Sansthan undertook the rebuilding of the dhuni pit and re-designed the chimney to its current distinctive shape.<br /></p><p>Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all<br /></p></div>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-56535728638007824192009-03-18T00:22:00.001-07:002009-03-18T00:22:53.330-07:00Puja Pillar<div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="sw_body_content_wrapper"> <div class="sw_body_content"> <br /> <div id="content"> <div class="content_head"> <span style="overflow: visible; position: relative;" id="spnName" class="sw_headding_1 jrcRounded">Puja Pillar<canvas class="jrCorner jrcTL" style="display: block; position: absolute; left: -11px; top: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcTR" style="display: block; position: absolute; right: 0pt; top: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcBL" style="display: block; position: absolute; left: -11px; bottom: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcBR" style="display: block; position: absolute; right: 0pt; bottom: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas></span> <span class="sw_subtitle_2"> </span> </div> <div> <img id="Img1" src="http://www.saibaba.com/saiweb/images/holyshirdi/new/pujapillar_1.jpg" alt="Puja Pillar" title="Puja Pillar" class="sw_img_right" /> </div> <p>Just in front of the dhuni, on the right as you face it with your back to the portrait, you will see a painted wooden supporting pillar; the silver padukas are at the bottom of it. This pillar played a small but significant part in the history of Sai worship. H. V. Sathe has described how there were no Gurupoornima celebrations until the day that Baba sent for Dada Kelkar and said, "Don't you remember that today is Gurupoornima?" Pointing to the pillar in the mosque, Baba told him, "Go and bring puja material and worship that post!" From then on, according to Sathe, the practice of celebrating Gurupoornima by worshipping Baba was continued. </p> <p>The correlation of the pillar, which is essential to the construction's stability, and the guru, is a pertinent one for devotees. Today when we look at this post it appears so ordinary and unremarkable, yet it stands in Baba's mosque, and is a reminder of the early days of a most extraordinary and remarkable movement. From our own experience, we can imagine the keen emotions of those early devotees, eager to offer worship to their beloved gurudeva, yet at the same time, uncertain of how Baba would receive it and whether he would allow it. Remembering this, looking at the pillar today may evoke a feeling of affinity with and appreciation for those early pioneers along the path of Sai. </p> </div> </div> </div>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-77454587242026702412009-03-18T00:21:00.001-07:002009-03-18T00:21:53.584-07:00The nimbar<div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="sw_body_content_wrapper"> <div class="sw_body_content"> <br /> <div id="content"> <div class="content_head"> <span style="overflow: visible; position: relative;" id="spnName" class="sw_headding_1 jrcRounded">The nimbar<canvas class="jrCorner jrcTL" style="display: block; position: absolute; left: -11px; top: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcTR" style="display: block; position: absolute; right: 0pt; top: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcBL" style="display: block; position: absolute; left: -11px; bottom: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcBR" style="display: block; position: absolute; right: 0pt; bottom: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas></span> <span class="sw_subtitle_2"> </span> </div> <div> <img id="Img1" src="http://www.saibaba.com/saiweb/images/holyshirdi/new/nimbar_1.jpg" alt="Nimbar" title="Nimbar" class="sw_img_right" align="left" /> </div> <p class="sw_body_content_text_2">On the western wall of the mosque - in the direction of Mecca - is a nimbar or niche, with a set of lamps in front of it. The nimbar is a standard feature of all mosques, but the lamps were put there by Baba. In Dwarkamai this spot, which is near where Baba used to sit, is decorated with a garland of flowers. </p> <p class="sw_body_content_text_2">The Shri Sai Satcharitra relates that it was here that Baba used to have his midday meal, sitting behind a curtain with his back to the nimbar, and a row of devotees on either side of him. This is also the place where Baba would sleep with his head pointing towards the nimbar, with Mhalsapati on one side of him and Tatya Kote Patil on the other. </p> <p class="sw_body_content_text_2">Baba occasionally did namaz (ritual prayers) here and Muslims would sometimes come for this purpose. A group of elders once came from the local Muslim headquarters of Sangamner, a town about fifty kms away, to investigate Baba following complaints of his heterodoxy from local Muslims. When they arrived they found Baba smearing fresh cowdung paste on the floor (a common practice in rural India). After answering their questions Baba suggested they do namaz together as it was already noon. Seeing the wet floor and their own clean clothes, they hesitated. "If you do namaz with a clean heart, no dirt will stick to you," counselled Baba. "Let's start...Allah Malik." The men had no choice but to kneel down. Afterwards they were astonished to see their clothes still in pristine condition. They concluded that Baba was a great saint and therefore no formal procedures were necessary for him. </p> </div> </div> </div>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-26371035580371470722009-03-18T00:18:00.000-07:002009-03-18T00:20:51.490-07:00The Grinding stone and bag of wheat<div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" id="content"><br /><div> <img id="Img1" src="http://www.saibaba.com/saiweb/images/holyshirdi/new/grindingstone_1.jpg" alt="Grinding Stone" title="Grinding Stone" class="sw_img_right" align="left" /> </div> <p>A grinding stone - a common household item in rural India - is kept in the north corner of the western wall. Baba apparently had two or three such stones (another is on display in the Samadhi Mandir) which, on occasion,<br /> </p><div id="content"> <div class="content_head"> <span style="overflow: visible; position: relative;" id="spnName" class="sw_headding_1 jrcRounded"><canvas class="jrCorner jrcTL" style="display: block; position: absolute; left: -11px; top: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcTR" style="display: block; position: absolute; right: 0pt; top: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcBL" style="display: block; position: absolute; left: -11px; bottom: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas><canvas class="jrCorner jrcBR" style="display: block; position: absolute; right: 0pt; bottom: 0pt;" width="6" height="6"></canvas></span> he used for grinding wheat. The most famous of these became the inspiration for Hemadpant's celebrated Shri Sai Satcharitra. It is described as follows:</div></div> <p>One morning, some time after the year 1910, while I was in Shirdi, I went to see Sai Baba at his mosque. I was surprised to find him making preparations for grinding an extraordinary quantity of wheat. After arranging a gunny sack on the floor, he placed a hand-operated flour mill on it and, rolling up the sleeves of his robe, he started grinding the wheat. I wondered at this, as I knew that Baba owned nothing, stored nothing and lived on alms. Others who had come to see him wondered about this too, but nobody had the temerity to ask any questions. </p> <p>As the news spread through the village, more and more men and women collected at the mosque to find out what was going on. Four of the women in the watching crowd forced their way through and, pushing Baba aside, grabbed the handle of the flour mill. Baba was enraged by such officiousness, but as the women raised their voices in devotional songs, their love and regard for him became so evident that Baba forgot his anger and smiled. </p> <p>As the women worked, they too wondered what Baba intended doing with such an enormous quantity of flour...They concluded that Baba, being the kind of man he was, would probably distribute the flour between the four of them...When their work was done, they divided the flour into four portions, and each of them started to take away what she considered her share.</p> <p>"Ladies, have you gone mad!" Baba shouted. "Whose property are you looting? Your father's? Have I borrowed any wheat from you? What gives you the right to take this flour away?"</p> <p>"Now listen to me," he continued in a calmer tone, as the women stood dumbfounded before him. "Take this flour and sprinkle it along the village boundaries."<br /></p><p>The four women, who were feeling thoroughly embarrassed by this time, whispered among themselves for a few moments, and then set out in different directions to carry out Baba's instructions. </p> <p>Since I was witness to this incident, I was naturally curious as to what it signified, and I questioned several people in Shirdi about it. I was told that there was a cholera epidemic in the village, and this was Baba's antidote to it! It was not the grains of wheat which had been put through the mill but cholera itself which had been crushed by Sai Baba, and cast out from the village of Shirdi.</p> <p>To this day, a grinding stone is kept in the mosque with a sack of wheat beside it, as it was in Baba's time. This tradition goes back many years and is associated with an early devotee of Baba's, Balaji Patil, who was dedicated to Baba's service, cleaning the mosque every day and the streets through which Baba passed (this service was later taken over by Radhakrishnayi). Balaji was a farmer from Nevasa. Once there was a dispute between himself and the landowner, as Balaji claimed the property as his own. Balaji suggested that they go to Baba for arbitration and abide by his decision and the owner agreed to do so. Upon their entering the mosque Baba immediately called out to Balaji to return the land. Balaji used to offer all of his crop to Baba and only when Baba had accepted a part of it would he take the remainder for his livelihood. He maintained this practice thoughout his life and it was continued by his son after he died. </p> <p>These days a bag of wheat is kept in a glass case by the grinding stone throughout the year, and is replaced annually on the festival of Ramnavami.</p> </div>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224467725029249957.post-19991128744001981032009-03-18T00:15:00.001-07:002009-03-18T00:17:32.850-07:00Baba's portrait<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19uFkIuRM2xfx5DWnYVylEpsHhjDXVhyGCRrvcPDEbFFsf6O53LeCbi9x8appMbXl7wipFCYI8_7i-f_XJibJLqzf8Pjpy3WRtCdQnGof72AF2UXAY7RGiL4yFT7xnB6ngN8qsrk2XJqo/s1600-h/rnavmi5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19uFkIuRM2xfx5DWnYVylEpsHhjDXVhyGCRrvcPDEbFFsf6O53LeCbi9x8appMbXl7wipFCYI8_7i-f_XJibJLqzf8Pjpy3WRtCdQnGof72AF2UXAY7RGiL4yFT7xnB6ngN8qsrk2XJqo/s320/rnavmi5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314423282576059314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">om sai ram</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="sw_subtitle_2"> </span> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> <img id="Img1" src="http://www.saibaba.com/saiweb/images/holyshirdi/new/baba-portrait-1.jpg" alt="Baba Portrait" title="Baba Portrait" class="sw_img_left" align="left" /> </div> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> Baba would spend much of his time in the mosque sitting in front of the dhuni, often with his arm leaning on a little wooden balustrade. A large portrait of Baba, sitting in the same posture, is now to be found here. The picture is kept on a throne-like platform and is the focus of worship, just as Baba himself was when he sat here. Baba sits relaxed and calm, looking out at us with a warm, welcoming, almost amused expression; at the same time the gaze is both penetrating and searching. On seeing the finished work, Baba is reported to have said, "This picture will live after me." </p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> Of the few pictures there are of Baba, we feel we could be looking at a different person in each of them. In satsang Sri Babuji once described the phenomenon of the ever-changing features of a saint's face which he likened to a river: when we watch a flowing river, in one way it is the same river, and in another way it is always different, the water always moving. The saint is one whose actions are free from the influences of past or future. In this way, he is constantly being reborn, each moment a fresh moment, each moment a fresh life! That is why we never get tired of looking at a saint's face - there is always something new in it. </p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> Something of that freshness is evident when we look at the portrait here. No matter how many times we take its darshan, we feel that Baba is greeting us anew. For that, we are indebted to the artist, S. R. Jaikar, from Bombay. The original picture was painted under commission from a close devotee (M. W. Pradhan). At first, Baba did not give permission for the work, claiming that he was just a simple beggar and fakir and what was the point of painting such a person. It would be better for Shama (who relayed the request to Baba) to get his own portrait done, suggested Baba! Luckily for future gen-erations, though, Baba later relented and Jaikar actually painted four pictures, one of which was touched by Baba. </p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> The picture was installed in Dwarkamai after Baba's maha- samadhi. The painting that we see now is a recent copy of Jaikar's original, which was moved to a Sansthan office to preserve it from the drying effects of the dhuni. It can currently be viewed in the Museum Hall adjacent to Dixit Wada. </p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> In front of the portrait is a pair of silver padukas which was installed later. Here it may be worth adding a note about the significance of padukas. They are used throughout India, but particularly in the Datta cult in Maharashtra. Padukas may be a pair of carved "footprints" or a pair of shoes used by the saint. It is the former which we mostly see in Shirdi. Padukas signify the presence of the saint - wherever the feet are, the rest of the body will be! - and thus they are revered. </p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> In Dwarkamai alone, there are five sets of padukas, symbolizing Baba's presence and aiding us in remembrance and worship. Taking the lowest part of the saint's body, we touch it with the highest part of our own (the head) as a gesture of obeisance and respect, in an act of namaskar. When we bow down we are adoring our Beloved, affirming our hallowed connection, and in this way, asking for continued blessings. Sri Babuji elucidates the meaning of namaskar as follows: "The term is said to be a compound of three root words: na (=no) + mama (=I) + aaskaara (=scope) =no scope for the 'I'. Thus it is a state of mind in which the self is effaced by an expressive recognition of the divine magnitude. To bear such a self-effacing feeling in mind is true namaskar ...namaskar symbolizes the state of the ego's readiness to lose itself... [and] is not a mere deferential gesture of greeting, [but] a meaningful technique handed down by the masters of mystic wisdom as a means of effacing the ego." </p> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> <table cellpadding="3" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right"> <a href="http://www.saibaba.com/holyshirdi/mosque/baba-portrait-2.html"> </a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div>sai ki kirpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01282110022748940059noreply@blogger.com0