For over five decades upto 1918 a Mahapurusha lived in a remote hamlet called Shirdi in Maharashtra. Thousands of people from different strata of society, different faiths and communities, flocked at the feet of this Mahapurusha, considered to be a weird saint, mainly to derive variety of material benefits. However, he was known only in Maharashtra and its borders.
By 1934 a mendicant from Tamil Nadu who was moving from place to place on spiritual quest, in quest of God-realisation, was drawn to Shirdi where in the Samadhi Mandir of the Samartha Sadguru Sri Sai Baba he reached his ultimate destination. Not only that, he also got a command from the Master to carry on the Mission of propagating his wounderful Life and Teachings. He was Sri Narasimhaswamiji, earlier known as Salem B.V. Narasimha lyer, a leading lawyer, a staunch patriot, an ardent member of Annie Besant's Home Rule Movement and a Member of the Madras Legislative Council.
Sri Narasimhaswamiji began in right earnest his mission, the Sai Mission. He met a large number of people who had the privilege of direct personal association with the Master, collected and recorded their statements and experiences. He launched upon propagation by travelling extensively to various parts of the country, distributing literature about Baba, delivering lectures and conducting bhajans and pujas.
Under his inspiration Samajas and Mandirs for Sai Baba were established in various cities and towns. Sri Swamiji founded the All India Sai SamajatMylapore, Chennaiin 1941. In 1940 he started a Monthly Magazine 'Sai Sudha'.
With no place to call its own the All India Sai Samaj was functioning at various locations from 1941 to 1952 - to start with in Venkatachala Mudali Street, Triplicane {1941-42), T.S.V. Koil Street, Mylapore (1942-43), Ramakrishna Mutt Road (1943-1949) and in Venkatesa Agraharam, Mylapore (1949-1952). The land where the All India Sai Samaj and the Sai Mandir stand today was acquired by Sri Swamiji in 1951. After putting up minimum structures, he moved to this place in July 1952 - prana prathishta for Baba's portrait was done. In 1953 the Mandir with its shrine and tower was constructed and Mahakumbabhishekam performed on 19.10.1953. It was a herculean task for Sri Swamiji to mobilise the required funds for both the land and construction. He was able to provide only a Zinc-sheet-roofed hall in front of the shrine. In 1966 at the time of the Silver Jubliee of the All India Sai Samaj a permanent structure with RCC roof (with inverted beams) was constructed due to the tireless efforts of a few young Sai Sevaks with the blessings of Baba and Swamiji.
Immediately thereafter in 1967, thanks to the munificence of one ardent devotee from Mumbai, Sri N.K. Subba Rau, the portrait of Baba in sitting posture similar to the one in Shirdi Dwaraka Mayee was brought and a small block was constructed to the left of the main shrine, as per Shirdi pattern.
By 1954-55, the adjacent vacant land (roughly 10 grounds) to the right of the Mandir cameup for sale by auction through the court. By the grace of Sri Sai Baba, this land also was acquired by Sri Swamiji with the help of a few ardent devotees.
Sri Swamiji made known Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi to millions of people with the result Shirdi, the village where Baba lived for over five decades and where His Samadhi is believed to answer the prayers of the multitude of devotees efficaciously has become one of the largest pilgrimage centres in India. The name of Sai Baba, a peculair divine manifestation, with parentage, place of birth, date of birth, name given to him as a child and other similar details still shrouded in mystery, is today a household word.
The Sai Mandir at Mylapore where Sri Swamiji, the Founder is still believed to be guiding in an astral form, attracts lakhs and lakhs of devotees. During the last three to four decades, the revenue has multiplied by almost 100 times.
The All India Sai Samaj has as its wings a free dispensary, a Printing Press, a school called Sai Vidyalaya and a Library named after the Founder President H.H. Narasimhaswamiji. Annadanam is a special seva of the Samaj.
In 1991 a Mahakumbabhishekam of the Sai Mandir was performed to synchronise with the 50th year of the establishment of All India Sai Samaj.
Now in 2004 to commemorate 50 years of Sri Sai Baba's benevolent showering of His Grace on several millions of devotees from this Holy Shrine, third Mahakumbabhishekam taken place on June 27, 2004.
S.SESHADRI
subhasrini
OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI!!!
Let us pray at the feet of Sai Baba who is the incarnation of all gods and protector of all, to show mercy on us, and increase our devotion towards him.
Topic: SAI BABA TEMPLE - A GOLDEN SAGA (Read 1160 times)