Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir

[Dipika]

Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir
Pocket D-10, Sector - 7, Rohini, Delhi - 110085

How it All Started  

( When Dream Inspired Deeds )

It was a January afternoon in 1989. Soaking up the winter sun, I fell asleep. What I beheld with my closed eyes changed my life for ever. The Omniprescent, the Eternal One, Sri Sai Baba appeared in front of me and ordained that I should go to Rohini and build a temple for him.Despite knowing the whereabouts I asked "Where is Rohini, Baba? What have I got to do with Rohini?" "You have a small plot in Rohini, Sector-3, Build the temple in that three side open plot", Baba replied .I was flabbergasted. "Will it be possible to build a temple on a 48sq. meter plot". I ventured. "What for I am", said the Divine Being and became invisible .

I pondered over the dream for several days and sought guidance from my parents, spouse and best friend M.L.Choudhary. Every one tried to dissuade me in light of the awesome responsibility that temple building came with but armed with devotion and faith, I busied myself with the project and the temple got ready. A 3 feet high statue of the Baba, made of white marble was commissioned from artists in Jaipur. After consultations with priests and other learned people, the day of 7th July 1989 was selected as being auspicious for the installation of the idol.

I reached the plot numbered G-27, Sector-3, on 30th June 1989, along with friends and family. After making arrangements for 7th July, every body departed for their homes I too left for my home after locking up the premises at 10.30 in the night, I accelerated my scooter in order to reach home early. But fate decreed otherwise. On the pitch dark, uneven and deserted stretch of outer Ring Road, my rear type burst and I was catapulted along with my vehicle across the road divider. I tried but could not more. And then a miracle happened. Baba materialiased before me in the form of rickshaw puller. He picked me up in his arms as if I weighed nothing and sat me on the rickshaw. He collected my scattered belongings, which included considerable cash and took me to Khalique Nursing Home in Sector-8, Rohini, Handing me over to the care of the doctor, he departed and was never seen again. I lost consciousness after that.

When I regained consciousness, one week later, I learnt that Dr. Khalique had, through my diary, been able to contact my close friend Mr. R.K. Goswamy, who in turn rang my family the doctor informed them of my accident and suspecting brain haemorrage, asked them to transfer me to a big hospital having appropriate medical facilities my family then transferred me to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital where I was admitted to the Intensive care unit. I remained in coma for one week. Hearing of my accident, my friends and well wishers prayed for me in the Moti Nagar and Lodi Road temples. I am eternally grateful to them for their emotional support and other wise in my hour of need.

On the seventh day my family signed an undertaking, anthorising the Hospital to operate on me the next morning. The next morning was the day of the inauguration of the temple, which also meant installation of Baba’s idol. As I was being wheeld into the operation theatre, I saw Baba looking at me. I tried to call out to him but no voice came past my throat. I gestured for a paper and pen and intimated my family that I wanted to attend the temple inauguration at Rohini. The doctors responded by sedating me and later operated successfully on me.

Mean while, the temple was a scene of hectic activities. The installation of idol was followed by hymn recital by Saxena Brothers. And everybody prayed for my speedy recovery. On 20th August 1989, when by Baba’s grace, I was able to walk, I decided to re-install the idol on 30th August on a grand scale. On 30th August, the idol was re-installed amid a lot of fanfare. Bus loads of devotees arrived from as far as Lodi Road and Moti Nagar. There was a hymn recital later which was graced by Mr. Ram Swaroop Bhardwaj, the renowned sculptor from Jaipur, and in which he participated. Earlier, Baba had cautioned me in my dream that the crowds that day would be bursting at seams. Incidentally it rained earlier that day and the attendance of the people was thin. I remembered Baba’s word and waited for his prophecy to come true. It did. Around noon, the Rain gods relented and the people started thronging the temple. The same day, we held the inauguration of the philanthropic medical mission, the Aushadhalya.

The tiny temple in the Sector-3, plot of Rohini, acted like a beacon to devotees. As the tempo of temple’s activities rose, a few neighbours threw a spanner in our work. People complained to the Delhi Development Authority that the hectic goings on in the temple disturbed their routine. The temple was sealed by the D.D.A. and thus began a bout of wrangling with the D.D.A.

Looking back, I think this was a hint by Baba that we should acquire bigger pastures to tend to our flock. As suggested by the D.D.A., a society was registered. After a year and a half of running from pillar to post, the D.D.A. leased out a 360 sqm. Plot in Sector-7, Pocket D-10, Rohini, and it is here that we have carried forward the construction of the Sai temple ,Sanatana Dharma Temple and of course, the Aushadhalya.

I believe from the core of my heart that Baba gave me a new life for this work. My Second Coming as I call it is nothing short of a miracle. Life has never been a bed of roses for anyone. We face hurdles at every step. It is the faith and patience that we harbor for our beloved Baba, that will carry our boat through the tempests that blow across the oceans of life.

B.P. Makhija
Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir,
Rohini, Delhi (INDIA)
 
http://www.aaosairohini.com/introduction.htm

Sai baba let your holy lotus feet be our sole refuge.OMSAIRAM

dipika duggal

[Dipika]

ABOUT TEMPLE  
Ancient wisdom suggests that faith can move mountains and devotion can materialise miracles our humble efforts bear testimony to this universal truth. Blessed by the omnipresent, omnipotent, the true Embodiment of the universal spirit, the eternal one, Sri Sai Baba, the modest effort of Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Rohini, have lit a sympathetic and co-operative chord among the hearts of the countless devotees of the Baba.

The beginnings of this temple (also called a Mandir) are laid upon the desires of the Baba to establish his very own Dwarka Mai (the Masjid or the mosque) in this corner of Delhi. This wish is our command. The devout came out with unstinting support to the noble cause and thus began a holy crusade of sorts.

The herculean efforts that went into the launch of the Mandir project bore fruit on 7th July 1989 when this Grace, Shri Sai Baba, chose to step onto a small plot of land in Sector 3. Rohini in the form of a white marble idol. However the limitations of restricted space soon began to manifest themselves through Baba's diving inspiration, a bigger plot measuring 360 sq. meters was obtained through Development Authority. Under Baba's patronage and the single minded devotion of the people, the temple's construction picked up momentum.

In 1992, on the pious occasion of RAM NAVMI, the day Lord Rama descended on Earth in the form of a mortal like us, the idol of this Diving Grace, Sai Baba was installed inside the portals of the Mandir .

The multitudes who have been thronging the temple ever since are a homage to the diversity of India. The barriers of religion dissolve in the presence of Baba. People pray in side the Mandir and burn incense at the altar of Dwarka Mai with equal fervor. The temple offers something for everyone. The serene and soothing environs act as a magnet to all; to the young and the old, to the man and the woman, to the troubled and the sick, to the grateful and the meek. The inner sanctum of the Sai Mandir has been built according the physical specifications of the original Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi. For those are unable to visit Shirdi, there is nothing to lose heart about. The daily routine of the temple corresponds exactly to the Shirdi Samadhi Mandir schedule. The day begins with the Mangal Snan of the Baba followed by Dhoop aarti at noon, then the evening arti, which is followed by discourses, singing of hymns. The day is rounded up with the Shejja Aarti.

Thursdays ,witness a tremendous outpouring of devotees. The flower bedecked 'palki' or the palanquin of the Baba, accompanied by crowds of this faithfully, recreates the vision of the Thursday march in Shirdi. Led by a band, this weekly yatra attracts thousands through the way a sit winds its way through out the streets of Rohini. The air reverberates with the clants of Baba's name and permeates the conscious of one and all.

Sundays provide another opportunity to the disciples of the Baba, to thank him for his unlimited bounty which he showers on anyone who utters, his name. A wooden chariot called the Ratha, specially prepared for the occasion, and carrying foot prints of our beloved Baba, reaches the homes of the faithfully and the ensuing hymn recital spreads magic all around.

The temple complex is blessed with the idols of many deities besides that of Baba. The devotees can renovate and offer prayers and prasada to the idols of Lord Rama, his brother Lakshmana and his wife Janaki, Lord Hanuman, Ma Jagdamba, Ma Kali, Ma Sarswati, Lord Shiva and consort Ma Parvati, Lord Dattatreya, Lord Satyanarayana, the nine planet configuration called the "Navgraha mandal", to name a few.

Next to the actual Samadhi temple in the Rohini complex, there exists the ' DwarakaMai', which is Baba's mosque. People offerr 'Lobaan' and coconut and burn incense sticks in front of Baba's pictures, thereby symbolically consigning all their misfortunes to the sacred flames. Baba's life was a mission in continuity a mission to ameliorate the sufferings of those who seek his indulgence. The offered succour to all on a physical, mental as well as spiritual plane. The Rohini Mandir has taken a few enthusiastic steps in the wake of footprints left by the Baba in the sands of time.

The relics maintained at Dwarka Mai in Shirdi include the mud stove, the mud pot and the tongs used by Baba while cooking for community meals. Honoring the tradition the temple in Rohini organises Bhandaras or community meals on important occasions like Ram Navmi, Vijaydashmi, Gurupurnima, Kirlans, Discourses and of course Janamasthmi celebration. The splendour of lord Krishna's Birthday celebrations (Janamashthmi) attracts huge crowds which partake of the Bahndara and prasad offering.

Inspired by Baba's dictum of selfless service to society, the Mandir complex hosts a philanthropic medical mission which is aptly named Shirdi Sai Baba Dharmarth Aushdhalya. The medical mission offers treatment in all the three disciplines of medicine Allopathic, Homeopathy and Ayurveda.

With the temple offering nutrition for the soul, and the medical mission doing the same for the body we have not left the mind idling in isolation. Our excellent library, located within the temple premises, attracts knowledge seekers from all walks of like while the students zoom in on the reference books, the ordinary block have a golden opportunity to inform and educate themselves about every facet of Baba's life.

Oral incantation of Baba's name is only one way of expressing severance for him. The Mandir committee made available booklets, "the Sai Naam Jaap Pustikas", wherein the devotees can write the many names of the beloved Baba. The Mandir has published many books on this Eminence Sri Sai Baba and has also brought out an audiocassette containing songs pertaining to Baba's benevolence.

We invite and exhort you to spare a moment of your chaotic lives and submit yourselves to the sublime pleasure of being under the all encompassing wings of this Holiness Sri Sai Baba. Let us learn from the riveting saga of this rag clad fakir whose juggernaut toke down all barriers of caste, creed, age, sex and riches. We hope to enrich our existence by offering a similar chance to you.

Jai Sai Ram

Compiled by : Vandana Rastogi

 
Sai baba let your holy lotus feet be our sole refuge.OMSAIRAM

dipika duggal