Sai
Baba, one of the foremost saints of modern India, lived in the small
village of Shirdi in the state of Maharashtra for sixty years. Due
to his presence there even after his Samadhi, today the small village
has transformed itself as a great spiritual center to people from
all religions. Shri Sai Baba, inspite of his great spiritual stature,
never publicized himself through discoursing, touring and preaching---unlike
today's many 'so-called' saints. Rather, he discouraged unnecessary
publicity. But still, his spiritual perfection is still drawing
innumerable devotees to him from all over the world.
Sai
Baba did never reveal his original name, time and place of birth,
especially his religion and caste, and even the names of his parents.
Through this, he has emerged as a solution to all the religious
and communal differences that are destroying the world today. He
preaches that God is Almighty and he has given all the souls on
earth equal opportunity to reach him, whichever is the religion
they belong to. 'Sai Baba' is the name given to him by his first
devotee, Mahalsapathi - 'Sai' means 'Saint' and 'Baba' means 'Father'.
The name is just an expression of love, reverence and devotion
»
Samadhi Mandir
Samadhi
Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from
Nagpur, a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. Gopalrao wanted
to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, Baba himself became
Murlidhar and the Mandir became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba.
The Mandir is built with stones and Baba's
Samadhi is built with white marble stones. A railing is built
in marble around the Samadhi and is full of ornamental decorations.
In front of the Samadhi are two silver pillars full of decorative
designs. Just behind the Samadhi is Sai Baba's marvelous statue
made of Italian marble which shows him seated on a throne. This
idol was made by late Balaji Vasant.
»Dwarkamai
Shri
Sai Baba came to Shridhi with a marriage procession. He stayed at
Dwarkamai till the very end of his life. Dwarkamai is situated on
the right side of the entrance of Samadhi Mandir. Here he solved
problems of the people, cured their sickness and worries. Before
Baba's arrival in Shridhi, Dwarkamai was an old mosque in a dilapidated
condition. Baba turned it into Dwarkamai and proved that God is
one.
»Gurusthan
Gurusthan
is the place where Sai Baba was first seen sitting under a Neem
tree. Sai Baba first came to Shridi in the form of Bal Yogi. The
present day temple in Gurusthan was renovated in 1941. There is
a big portrait of Baba on a elevated platform of this shrine. Shivling
and the Nandi are just in front of the portrait.
At a short distance from here is the Chavadi where
Sai Baba used to sleep every alternate days. This place is divided
in to two parts. One of which has a large portrait along with
a wooden bed and a white chair which belonging to him. There is
also a cottage of Abdul Baba. From a little distance from the
cottage is a Maruti temple.
» How
to reach Shirdi
Many
buses are available for Shirdi. There is no direct train to Shirdi.
You could otherwise directly reach Shirdi by taking a car which
can take you from your place directly to Shirdi.
Shirdi, Religious Places in India Reservation Form
