Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

Shirdi Sai Baba is one of the greatest saints India has ever seen. The mysterious fakir made his first appearance in Shirdi and is believed to continue remaining there forever. His devotees used to call him “Sai”, hence the name “Sai Baba”. 

His mission was to give blessings without discrimination, and he believed in “looking at all with an equal eye.” Even today, many devotees visit Shirdi to pay homage to and experience Baba’s presence. Saibaba has turned Shirdi into a unique holy place for people of all castes, creeds, and religions. He believed in “Shraddha – Saburi”, which meant Faith and Patience for everyone. 

Origin and Baba’s first appearance

Many inquired about Sai Baba’s parents, origins, and such, but no convincing information was found. He is believed to have first appeared under a Neem tree in Shirdi as a young boy of sixteen years engrossed in deep meditation. His form and features were said to be so beautiful that a mere look endeared him to all. 

He is believed to have stayed in Shirdi for almost three years and suddenly disappeared. After some time, he returned to Shirdi again with a marriage party. Sai Baba stayed under the same neem tree for four to five years upon reaching Shirdi the second time. This place is now called “Gurusthan.” After that, he is said to have shifted to an abandoned mosque which became his “Dwarkamai.” 

Baba stayed in Shirdi for almost sixty years and took his Maha-Samadhi in 1918.

How the fakir got the name ‘Sai’

When the marriage party came, Bhagat Mhalsapati along with other people who came to witness the marriage saw a young Fakir. While the Fakir was getting down from the cart, Mhlasapati, spontaneously called him “YA SAI” (Welcome Sai), and from then on, others also began addressing him as Sai. 

Origin of the Samadhi Mandir

In 1918, Sai Baba took “Maha Samadhi” and the place where Baba is resting now was initially proposed to be constructed as a Wada, a place where people can rest. The Samadhi Mandir is built on the same land where Baba used to tend a garden. Sai Baba used to like growing plants, and he cleared and leveled this land on the same piece of land that was earlier used as a dumping ground. He planted jasmine and marigold, and for almost three years, he watered the plants and used to distribute the flowers to local temples. 

Gopalrao Booty met Sai Baba about ten years before his Mahasamadhi. The inspiration to build a resting place came to Booty in a dream, and Baba told him to build a rest house and temple.

After the dream, Booty immediately woke up and noticed that Shama, who was sleeping next to him, had tears in his eyes. Both of them had the same dream wherein Baba came and said, “Let there be a Wada with a temple so that I can satisfy the desires of all.” 

Together, they created some rough sketches and showed them to Dixit for his opinion and approval. Upon seeking Baba’s permission, he responded warmly and gave his blessings. 

The construction of Wada began in 1915, it was built on a stone and is therefore known as dagadi Wada. When Baba used to pass from the site, sometimes he also offered suggestions. As the work progressed, Booty asked for building a temple of Murlidhar (Lord Krishna) on the ground floor, for which Baba readily gave his permission.  

Baba’s unforeseen moving-in

Around this time, Baba fell ill and everyone started wondering whether Baba would live to see the completed Wada. However, Baba was to move into the Wada in a way that others had not foreseen. As his health rapidly declined and on 15 October 1918 he left his body and his last words were, “I am not feeling well in the masjid, carry me to the dagadi Wada”. He was then taken to the Wada and was buried at the same place where the image of Murlidhar was planned to be placed. 

Even while leaving his body, Sai Baba calmed down his devotees and said “After I take Samadhi, my bones will speak from the grave, and people will throng here” and the same is being experienced even today. 

The Samadhi Mandir that we see now is almost twice the size of the original building. For devotees, darshan at Baba’s tomb is the climax of their visit, and the statue of the tomb is like witnessing a living and breathing God. The statue is admired as a striking image of grace and kindness. Baba sits relaxed, natural, and majestic, looking at everyone with love. 

Conclusion

Currently, Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi, is the Governing and Administrative body of the Shri Saibaba’s Samadhi Temple and temples on this premise. Shirdi Sai Baba treated people of all faiths and beliefs as one. The same legacy is followed by the Trust even today. 

Samadhi Mandir is where all heads bow down in prayer, faith prevails, hopes are built, and patience pays. Samadhi mandir is a place for devotees where they experience peace of mind and a great sense of purpose. It is a place where devotees come with empty hands but are filled with hope.