Video/Photos: Shirdi Temple Coffers Overflow with Offerings

[rOhit beHaL]

- SHIRDI TEMPLE COFFERS OVERFLOW WITH OFFERINGS -
08th Feb`2012

The rising prices of Gold & Silver have failed to deter the devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba,
with the Shirdi temple having recorded an increase in the offerings of these precious metals.

At the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi, as compared to 2010,
in 2011, the Gold offerings have increased by 16%,
 while the Silver offerings have increased by 37%.

According to the Shirdi Sai Baba Trust, in 2010,
devotees offered 31 kg of Gold in various forms,
whereas 2011 recorded offerings of 36 kg of Gold.

In 2010, the Shirdi Temple received 320 kg of Silver as offerings,
while it increased to 440 kg in 2011.

Cash donations at the Shirdi temple have also seen a rise.
According to the trust, the donations collected in Cash in 2010 amounted to Rs.322 crore,
whereas in 2011, Cash donations amounted to Rs.401 crore.

In terms of foreign currencies, in 2010, the donations were equivalent to Rs 5.43 crore,
while in 2011 it was equivalent to Rs 6.28 crore.

With increasing number of devotees from all over the world flocking to Shirdi for Baba's darshan
and offering their gratitude in the form of precious Gems studded Gold/Silver items,
 such as Baba's Throne, Crowns, Necklaces, Utensils, Padukas, Incense Stand, Clock, Canopy's etc,
the coffers of the Shirdi Temple Trust are overflowing,
 so much so that the Shirdi Temple has become the second richest Temple in India.




 - VIDEO -

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qVir4gG_8A[/youtube]









































"ThrOnes fOr gOds,
Or hOmes fOr gOds peOple !"




"CrOwns fOr gOds,
Or Shelter fOr gOds peOple !"




"Ornaments fOr gOds,
 Or ClOthes fOr gOds peOple !"




"Filling the cOffers Of Shrines,
Or Filling the StOmachs of the Shrined Hungry !"







dO nOt Push them Away,
Push them fOrward !
rOhit beHaL

[Pratap Nr.Mishra]

ॐ श्री साईंनाथाय नमः

रोहित बेहलजी जय साईं राम

आपके इस सत्य से परिचय से स्वता : ही आँखों से आंसू  निकल पड़े. बहुत ही सजीव और सत्य का चित्रण किया है आपने. सही दर्शाया  है की संस्था को भरने की अपेक्षा हमें परमपिता की संतान जो गरीब,असहाय ,निर्बल और भूखी है उसपर अपनी समर्थाता के अनुसार सहायता (सेवा) करना चाहिए । भरे हुए का पेट भरने की जगह भूखो का पेट भरना ही बाबा के प्रति सच्ची भक्ति होगी । साईं ने  भी अपने जीवनकाल में यही किया और करने के लिए भी कहा । बाबा भी हमेशा कृत्रिम भक्ति से सात्विक (सहृदय) भक्ति को ही प्रोत्साहन देते थे ।

सदा आप इस तरह से सत्य से परिचय करते रहिएगा जिससे हमारे जैसे भटको को भी सही दिशा का ज्ञान हो सके.

ॐ साईं राम

[Admin]

Well said Rohit Ji and Pratap Ji.

Whenever I see a little poor kid on streets my soul always ask this simple questions, why this lil kid deserves less than anyone around me? I have almost stopped donating to temples. I don’t donate a big amount to temples anymore but I do keep some money safe for people who might need it.
My Sai is always a fakir and he never needed anything but out of devotion and love I cannot resist myself and I offer something.

Today when I have a roof to hide, food to feed my family and spare money to secure my feature, it has become my responsibility to contribute back to society in whatever form or capacity.
Baba you know my intention and commitment. You are my inspiration. Help me attain my goals.

[Pratap Nr.Mishra]

ॐ श्री साईं नाथाय  नमः

रविजी जय साईं राम

आपके सहृदय भावना ही श्री साईं की सच्ची श्रधा को दर्शाती है । कभी कभी बहुत ज्ञान रखते हुए भी हम इस सच्ची भक्ति की अपेक्षा कृत्रिम भक्ति को अपना लेते है । स्वान्तः सुखाय और स्वान्तः हिताय के मार्ग का अनुसरण करने लगते हैं । सर्वजन हिताय सर्वजन सुखाय का मार्ग जो बाबा ने दिखलाया है उसका पालन नहीं कर पाते । आपकी तरह ही मै भी सदा कोशिस करता हूँ की मंदिरों के अपेक्षा किसी जीव की सेवा कर सकूँ जिससे बाबा के विचारो का किसी हदतक पालन करने में सफल हो  सकूँ । परमपिता ने परिवार के कर्तव्यों को करने की समर्थता जब दी है तो हमें उसी कर्तव्यों में सर्वजन हिताय की सेवा का भी कर्तव्य करना चाहिए ।

साईं से यही प्राथना है कि हमें इतना  समर्थवान और साथ साथ उसको करने की शक्ति प्रदान करें जिससे उनके श्री चरणों में शुद्ध भक्ति स्वरुप  कुछ अर्पण कर सके ।

ॐ साईं राम

[hanushasai]

Dear Devotees,

Very Well Said ! This is true that including shirdi most of the religious places in India and world and holding great wealth including Gold, Silver, Diamonds, Land & Other Property, Cash, Deposits and other mode of assets.

Now Question arise, “ Is it ethical ? “

Before Replying on the receiver part First Let’s understand Donor’s perceptions or Why People Donate? Some reasons are:

1. To thank the Lord for blessings in their life in whatsoever form : A Good Job, Child, Happy Family Life, Profit in Business, Protection in some accidents etc.………….. !

2. To Lesson burden of their Karmas i.e. Sharing money earned from wrong means like taking bribe, theft or other wrong means!

3. For charity cause through some agency like Health, Education, Shelter to homeless, Old Age Homes, Food to hungry, Clothes, Books etc.

4. Just for Trading! Baba Said in Sai Satcharitra that He had to give back hundred times more of what He received. So, in hope to earn more ………… ! Thank God there is no stock exchange in the name of Baba ! 

5. To Feed their Ego’s ! To get their names highlighted on the stones that people can appreciate them for their noble endeavors or to favour the Lord that they are running their world.

So, Whatsoever reason is there. People keep on donating. As it is the easiest way of performing some spiritual rituals. Also in some religions it is mandatory.

Now, It is about Receiver i.e. Religious Trusts. (Not to refer General NGO’s that is different story, only a few real NGO’s, others………, So taking about Religious trust only).

Some Trust having so much of wealth enough to support a state’s yearly cost with ease. But why these trust receive so much of money and accumulate wealth.

1. For charitable Purpose. Shri Sai Baba Sansthan has mentioned following purposes for one can donate :
Charitable/Development Donation :
Annadan Fund
Education Fund
Hospital Fund
Nitya Prasadalaya Annadan Scheme 
General Fund
Building Fund 

Religious Activities Fund:
Abhishek Fund
Naivedya Fund
Festival Fund
Kothi ( Dhoop-Deep ) Fund
Shri Sai Satyvrat (Satyanarayan) Fund

2. To maintain the place and develop the area so that more and more devotees (or/and Tourists) can be attracted.

3. For admin cost. (Salary of Staff, Utilities Expenses etc.) Even there would be many volunteers to serve at the home of Lord still permanent staff would be there)

So there are different purposes of Donors and Receivers. If Purpose of both’s are noble then there is no harm, but practically it does not happen, Baba said one should be paid in full for the work he has done, But even Sansthan is not following  Thy advice. Just taking undue advantages of their status in settling the accounts of vendors who are supplying goods or providing services. Baba used to pay instantly in whatsoever form, Sansthan need to restore this practice.

Now returning to question Is it ethical ?

I don’t think So, If this is not blind donation but given for a purpose with true heart out of hard earned money and not misused by recipient. Many Jobless People are depending on religious places (or God’s Home) for their various needs. For Food, Shelter, Medical Facilities, even for small family functions etc.
Just if some people/trusts are misusing funds, does not mean one should stop contributing for any noble cause, But find other ways. Never think this is to do favour to anyone but just to be part of God’s mission to serve all humans.

At last always remember while donating It was not mine that I have donated It was all His that I returned in token of thanks to His People:

देनहार कोई और है भेजत हैं दिन रैन
लोग भरम हम पर धरैं यातें नीचे नैन !

May Baba Bless All and Help us to Serve Thy people in our limited capacity !

Jai Sai Ram!

[v2birit]

Great noble thoughts expressed by Bhaktas.
    If people are in distress & the able bodied are not doing anything, to take away the distress, then it is very disappointing.
    Sai baba has said that, if you are in a good position, then you should always solve other people's suffering. 
    Further, God has said in the bhagwat Gita, that seeing me in all creatures is my true bhakti. So naturally a person in distress is to be attended promptly.
    Offering rich & costly articles to god, is also a form of bhakti but if you have to choose between donating gold to god & using the same money for removing the distress of a person in great need, then obviously the 2nd way is a thousand times more meirtorious in the eyes of God.
     Looking at the other angle, all people in the world including ourselves, have to undergo good & bad fortunes as per our Karma. People land in a miserable state, sheerly because of bad karma done in the past, either in this or earlier lives. Bhagvat Purana says, if a person in earlier life has not given anything in charity inspite of having ample wealth, then he is born as a poor & forced to live a life of poverty.
This should not deter us from helping them. We should whole heartedly help them, but at the same time ensure that thier spiritual progress also happens.
 
Om Sai Ram.