First Shirdi Sai temple and the Idol given by Baba himself in 1916...

Discussion in 'Religious places & Spiritual people' started by Saisakthi, Mar 10, 2012.

  1. Saisakthi

    Saisakthi IL Hall of Fame

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    Om Sairam, Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai Bow

    The First ShirdiSai Temple and the Idol given by BABA himself in 1916 before attaining Mahasamadhi as sourced from Sai Leela magazine, September 1976 and heard inperson from the founders of the temple.

    Let us enjoy the nectar reading how the first temple of SHIRDI SAI BABA TEMPLE was blessed byBABA himself Bow. The story behind its construction reveals the astonishing mannerin which Baba pulls his devotees to him. It is unbelievable but neverthelesstrue that the founder of the temple, the late Sri Keshav Ramachandra Pradhan,was initially an atheist. Pradhan ji was working for a Parsee gentleman of Mumbai as a pedhi (a collector of debts owed to his employer). He lived inBhivpuri and would commute to Mumbai to work. In the course of his job he would frequently go to Manmad, Nasik and Kopergaon. Pradhan had a close friend whowas a devotee of Sai Baba. He would often go to Shirdi and return after having darshan of Sai Baba. Once, Pradhan ji visited his friend when he was about to leave for Shirdi. He asked Pradhan to accompany him and to have Baba’s darshan.Pradhan ji, who had no belief in God did not want to proceed to SHIRDI.Finally, he agreed to accompany on his friend’s persuasion but not to set foot inside the mosque where Baba lived. His friend accepted the compromise and they set out for Shirdi together.

    The friends reached Shirdi and stayed in the wada. As it was time for the noon arati, Pradhan’s friend went to the mosque but Pradhan ji stayed in the wada. The bell rang from the mosque for the arati and Pradhanji could hear it from his room.The deep gongs of the bell stirred him as never before. He was enchanted by the sound and unknowingly started walking to the mosque from where this heavenly sound was issuing forth.

    Pradhan ji reached the mosque and sat in a corner. Looking at Baba, he was immersed in a state of bliss. After the arati was over the other devotees took udhi from Babaand left the mosque. Pradhan ji was still in a state of bliss and was unaware of everything but Baba. Sai then called Pradhan ji to come closer and asked himfor dakshina. Pradhan had Rs 2500 in his pocket. This was the amount he had collected for his employer from the various debtors. He took out the entirec ash from his pocket and, placing it all in Baba’s hands, returned to his rooms till in the same state of bliss. A little later, Pradhan ji came to realise that he had given the entire amount to Baba and was surprised that he could do such a thing with his employer’s money. His friend told him not to worry as Baba would take care to see that Pradhan ji would not get into any trouble because of this.

    Pradhanji started back via Kopergaon from Shirdi in a horse-cart. On reaching Kopergaon he realised he had no money, even to pay for the cart. He requested the cart man to take his ring, sell it and return the remaining cash after taking his fare.While this was on, a well-dressed gentleman, unknown to Pradhanji, arrived. After inquiring about the matter he not only paid the cart man but also bought a ticket to Mumbai for Pradhanji and left as mysteriously as he came.

    Pradhan reached Bhivpuri. He did not know how he could face his employer and tell him that he had used all the money which he had collected. To gain time, he sent word to his employer that he was sick and would come to work once he had recovered. The employer sent word back granting leave till Pradhan was well enough to return to work. He also wanted to know why Pradhan had sent double the money he had collected and wanted to know what he was to do with the excess? Pradhan saw Baba’s miracle in this and was thrilled to the core and to realise the kindness shown to him by Baba. He was electrified that Baba had showered his grace on him to such an extent in the very first darshan. He became a staunch devotee of Baba and would often go to Shirdi to visit Baba and take his blessings. Pradhanwould plead with Baba to come to Bhivpuri whenever he went to Shirdi.

    Continued ....
     
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  2. Saisakthi

    Saisakthi IL Hall of Fame

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    Re: First Shirdi Sai temple and the Idol given by Baba himself in 1916... Continued..

    Continued...


    Once, in 1916, Baba gave his statue to Pradhan and said, “Go to Bhivpuri. Build a temple for me there. Keep this statue in the temple and worship it. You need not come to Shirdi any more.” Pradhan returned to Bhivpuri but did not follow Baba’s instructions. When he next came to Shirdi Baba said, “When I have come to your house, why have you come here? Bhivpuri is your Shirdi. Go there and do as I told you.”

    In a few days Pradhan built a small temple near his house at Bhivpuri and ceremoniouslyinstalled the statue of Baba; regular worship was started. This temple is located in a place which is green with trees and beautiful to the eye. In the silence of the night the sound of the temple doors opening would sometimes beheard. Baba would be seen coming out of the temple and resting under a tree in the front yard. The sound of the temple doors closing would be hearda gain at three in the morning. All these leelas were experienced not only byPradhan and his family but also by their guests who stayed overnight. Pradhan had no doubt that Bhivpuri was indeed his Shirdi and he became an even more ardent devotee of Baba. The temple was developed to include an inner chamber, a big hall in the forecourt, a verandah and guestrooms for the use of visiting devotees.

    V V Gupte,Pradhan’s son-in-law, took an active part in conducting the various affairs of the temple and helped further develop it. Sri Gupte had first visited Shirdi in1936 and experienced bliss at the sight of Baba’s samadhi. He prayed ferventlyto Baba to make the temple at Bhivpuri as glorious and awesome as the Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi. Baba answered his prayers and the Bhivpuri temple becamefamous with more and more devotees visiting it.

    Pradhan passed away in 1939 and responsibility had to shouldered by Gupte. He started an organization for running the temple called the “Sri SadguruSainathuni Seva Sanstha”. The rush of visitors increased and the existing facilities became insufficient. Funds were inadequate to do all that was necessary to meet the huge no of devotees thronging in. Finally, Baba’s help was sought.A devotee called Narayan Purohit started the formal reading of Sai Baba’s life. On the fourth day Baba came to him in a dream and said, “Where is my dhuni? How can this be Shirdi without a dhuni? How can my temple be complete without a dhuni?”

    As he had the dream twice, Purohit informed Gupte and it was decided forthwith to build adhuni as instructed by Baba. Sri Valvalkar, the grandson of Sri Hemadpant(author of Sri Sai Satcharitra – Baba's life story and leelas), first lit the dhuni on the Ramanavami day of 1949. Ramanavami and Baba’s samadhi festivals are celebrated here with great fervour and glory.

    Bhivpuri Sai Babatemple is situated in Bhivpuri Road, which is a small railway station whichcomes before Karjat on the train route from Mumbai to Pune. As we get out atthis station to the right towards the fields, the temple is clearly visible.Just a few steps walk across the fields leads to the entrance of the temple.

    May Baba Bless all of us always and guide us...
     
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  3. sritas

    sritas Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Thanks for this information, Sakthi and i thought that the temple at Shridi is the first temple for Baba.
     
  4. sowmya83

    sowmya83 New IL'ite

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    Dear Saisakthi

    Thanks very much for the information.
    It was very useful.

    Thanks
    Sowmya
     
  5. lathamohan

    lathamohan Bronze IL'ite

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    Thanks for the information saisakthi
     
  6. ssm014

    ssm014 Platinum IL'ite

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    Wow..! thanks for the amazing story dear..!
    Dint know this temple…I have passed through this station soooo many times…!
    May God Bless u..!
    :bowdown
     
  7. sravanitenali

    sravanitenali IL Hall of Fame

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    Hello Saishakti SIS....

    Thanks for nice post...Very much delighted to know about SAI BABA's First Temple...

    Jai SAI RAM

    Sravani
     
  8. Saisakthi

    Saisakthi IL Hall of Fame

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    Shantha Sister,

    Both Bhivpuri and Shirdi were the only temples which got constructed before BABA attaining SAMADHI, By baba's grace wish to share the nectar about the formation of other SAIBABA temples too.

    May Baba bless you in abundance and fulfill your wish too.
     
  9. Saisakthi

    Saisakthi IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Sowmya Sister,

    Hoping to add information about other SHIRDI SAIBABA's temples too by Baba's grace wish it happens, May Baba bless you in abundance and fulfill your wishes too.
     
  10. Saisakthi

    Saisakthi IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Latha Sister,

    May Baba bless you in abundance and fulfill your wishes too.
     

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