My experience at Shibpur Sai Baba Temple:
Sai Ram Dear All
I had visited Shibpur on 11th-13th December 2010 and was waiting for certain completions before I posted my experience. But after reading Adityaji’s post, I felt that I should post mine right away and give updates as and when things happen.
So here goes…
After reading many readers’ accounts of their visits to Shibpur, I too got inspired and finally booked my flight tickets to Kolkata for 11th December.
I carried three chhaddars for Baba - one from myself, one from my mom and one from the shopkeeper I purchased from. When he came to know the purpose for which I wanted the chhaddars, he not only gave me a discount but also gave a chhaddar of his own for offering.
I didn’t feel like asking Amitji for car arrangement for one person alone, so I contacted him on phone just a day before and got directions to reach Shibpur from Kolkata. After boarding the 6 am flight from Mumbai, I finally reached Shibpur around 2.30 pm. Shibpur is a quiet, unspoilt place far removed from the hustle and bustle of our cities. Amitji along with some others was waiting for me outside the temple compound. Bade Baba could be seen facing the gate. After the customary introductions, I stepped into the compound. The moment I stepped in, I could feel the divine vibes of the place just hit me in the face.
The entire compound has a very charming ambience with its temples & garden. The original fibre statue of Sai Baba is housed in a very charming thatched structure at the rear end of the compound. There is also cement structure to house the ‘Dhuni’ which was to be lit shortly, another thatched cabin which serves as the office and an open round thatched roof structure used as the visitor’s room. The marble temple facing the gate houses the ‘Bade Baba’ marble statue which bears a striking resemblance to the statue in the Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi. I believe Shri K.V.Ramani who donated the statue was told by Baba in a dream to donate a statue exactly like the Shirdi one. Below the Neem tree near Ramdasji’s old Mandir is a slightly smaller statue of Baba. Most of us in the forum must have seen photos of this Murti with the snake coiled around the neck.
There was some construction work going on for a small shrine in a corner of the compound. Amitji said that it was for Swami Samarth and Shri Datta Murtis which were expected next week on the day of Shri Datta Jayanti.
All the people around are very courteous and helpful and went out of their way to make me feel at home. My stay arrangements were made at the home of Shri Probhat Jordarji. His bright and lively 5 year old daughter Pooja was a delight to be with.
I took darshan of Bade Baba almost immediately and handed over all the chhaddars I had brought. However the thatched Shibpur Sai temple was closed and Amitji told me that I could get darshan during evening Aarti. Amitji asked me if wanted my chhaddar to be draped on Baba during my visit. I replied that it was up to him.
I had also carried some poster size photos for Amitji – images of Vitthal-Rakhumayi, Swami Samarth and Tulja Bhavani goddess. I was stunned when Amitji said, ”Aapko Baba ne hi bheja hai. Main yahi photos dhund raha tha jo ki yahan nahi milti”. Strange indeed are the ways of our Sai. The thought came that if he wishes to make me an instrument of his divine will, it is a great blessing.
I was served a delicious lunch in the visitor’s room and then taken to Shri Jordarji’s house for some rest. I was received very lovingly by his mother and wife.
The Aarti began in the thatched temple and the group then moved on to the original brick structure in which Ramdas Biswasji prayed 150 years ago, then the Gurusthan and finally the Bade Baba Mandir. The people are so sweet and sincere in their devotion, no wonder Baba has chosen to make his presence felt here in such a special way. And all visitors like us are treated like guests of honour and made to sit right in front for all Aartis. So it was with me and I felt so blessed.
After the evening Aarti and Bhog, I got a chance to sit before Baba alone in the thatched hut. The atmosphere seemed so peaceful and divinely charged, the room being lit with only a lantern. I sat there for almost half an hour pouring my heart out to Him. There was a piercing gleam in Baba’s eyes. Occasionally his eyes seemed to be darting across the room, here and there. When I got up to leave, there was an indulgent smile on Baba’s face. I distinctly felt Baba telling me that I should come here more often. I take that to mean that this should not be a one-off visit and I should come here periodically just the way I go to Shirdi.
Next morning I rose early for the morning Aarti and joined the group at the Bade Baba temple. It is the marble statue which is bathed (abhishek) and dressed every day. Amitji told me that there are specific instructions from Sai Baba not to bathe the fibre Murti. After the Aarti I was thrilled to see Sai Baba dressed in the chhaddar I had offered. I had not even told them which chhaddar was from whom.
I partook Prasad (Bhog offered to Sai Baba) and breakfast. After that I spent some time by myself in the compound. It being a Sunday, there was a small stream of visitors coming for darshan and meeting Amitji. In the evening I went for a stroll around the village. It is so peaceful and unspoilt. Every house has some cattle and fowl, and grows their own brinjals, pumpkins, chillies and even potatoes. The path along the river was picturesque and made for some great photography.
As Adityaji has rightly said, it reminds one of what Shirdi must have been like in the early days. Again at Sunset I attended the evening Aarti and retired after an early dinner as I was to leave at the crack of dawn the next morning. I must say that the food is all local cuisine and simply delicious.
Folks, I strongly exhort you to really pay visit there before the crowds increase and get the chance for a personal audience with Sai in the thatched temple. It is simply an out of the world experience. With increasing visitors, this may become difficult. I get the feeling that someday there will be long queues here too. I am already looking forward to my next visit with friends and family, of course, when Baba wills.
Also do spread the word and help out as much as you can. There is still a lot that needs to be done and every contribution will be useful.
I generally have reservations about clicking pictures in a religious place, whether I am disturbing the sanctity etc, so I did not click any pictures of the temple. But I did click pictures of the village, which I will post soon.
Please Dear Baba and all dear readers, please excuse any mistakes in this post. Will keep updating as and when…..
Topic: Shibpur sai baba temple (Read 246592 times)