Shirdi Sai baba radio

VIP DARSHAN PASS RACKET IN SHIRDI

2012-02-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

- 16th Jan`2012The system of Paid Darshan Passes in Shirdi, which commenced from 13th March`2010, till now was only applicable only

on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holiday's & Festivals like Ram-Navami, Gudi-Padwa, Gurupurnima & Vijayadashami.

But, due to the fast growing number of devotees using the paid VIP Passes for Sai Baba's Darshan in Shirdi,

the Shirdi Sansthan Trust has taken a decision to EXTEND this VIP Darshan Pass system through-out the full Week

and not just the Weekends as earlier, thereby, reducing the VIP Darshan load from the Weekends.

1) For Kakad Aarti : Rs.500/- per person.

2) For Madhyana Aarti : Rs.300/- per person.

3) For Dhoop Aarti : Rs.300/- per person.

4) For Shej Aarti : Rs.300/- per person.

5) For Normal Darshan (Not during any of the Aarti's) : Rs.100/- per person.

- VIDEO -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCOV9PlDBoA

DEVOTEE OFFERS 2.5 kg GOLD UTENSILS TO SAI BABA @ SHIRDI -

2012-02-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

15th Jan`2012On Saturday, 14th January 2012`Makar Sankranti day, a Sai Devotee from Mumbai, who wished anonymity,
offered a set of 1 Gold Plate weighing 1.5 kg and 8 Golden Bowls weighing 1 kg, to Sai Baba @ Shirdi.
This Gold Plate and Bowls weighing 2586 Grams altogether and worth Rs 63.34 Lakhs,
will be used for Sai Baba's daily morning/evening Prasad Bhog ritual.

- VIDEO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mtj1EV3RRiQ

Source: http://www.saiamrithadhara.com

SHRI.DATTATREYA DESHPANDE NIMONKAR - VETERAN DEVOTEE OF SAI BABA PASSES AWAY -

2012-02-02T17:38:00.000-08:00

12th Jan`2012

Veteran Shirdi Sai Baba Devotee Shri.Dattatreya Deshpande Nimonkar`95 years, popularly known as “Datta”
passed away peacefully on 11th Jan`2012 in Nimon - a village, 20 miles from Shirdi`Maharashtra.
He was Shankar Rao Raghunath Deshpande alias Nana Saheb Nimonkar's nephew.

Shri.Dattatreya Nimonkar had prophesied his journey to Baba, when he visited Shirdi a week before his death
to bid farewell to one of his very close friend, he did not visit Sai Baba's Samadhi Temple.
When questioned, he explained that since he will be going to Baba in few days, so why now !!!.

Just, before the start of Datta's funeral procession, an anonymous devotee from Shirdi came to Nimon Village
and applied the Sacred Sandalwood paste (which was applied on Sai Baba`s Idol in Shirdi) on Datta
and also put a Shawl (that was put on Sai Baba’s Samadhi in Shirdi) on him.

- How Sai Baba graced his blessings on Shri.Dattatreya Nimonkar -

The ancestors of Shri.Dattatreya Nimonkar hailed from Nimongaon`Maharashtra, so they were called ‘the Nimonkars’.
They were ‘Deshpande’ by caste. Nimon or Nimongaon is a village about 20 miles away from Shirdi in Maharashtra.
His grandfather, Shri.Nana Saheb Nimonkar, was Madhavrao Deshpande’s (Shama’s) paternal uncle.
Shama and his ancestors also hailed from Nimongaon. When Shama was 2 years old they moved to Shirdi.
Shri.Balwantrao (Shama’s father) had got Nana Sahib to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan and since then Nana stayed on in Shirdi.

Nana Saheb’s nephew, Dattatreya was born in December of 1917 when plague was playing havoc in Poona,
so Nana Sahib’s son, Shri.Somnath Shankar Deshpande, (C.I.D. Inspector at Poona), decided to go to Nimongaon
along with Gopalrao, his 3 year old son because his brother's wife had been recently delivered of a child in Nimongaon.
On the way they stopped at Shirdi to have Sai Baba’s darshan.
When they were about to leave, Baba gave Udi to them and said, "Porala Jiva Love" i.e., "Save the child".
Somnath thought that Baba had blessed his child Gopalrao, so he gave him the Udi.

On reaching Nimongaon, Somnath found his brother's new born baby to be in extreme bad health,
and all hope of its life was given up. The child, only 12 days old, was blue and cold, and was gasping for air.
It was then that Somnath realised that Baba had given him Udi to save Dattatreya’s life.
Frantically he searched for the Udi but could not find it as it was lost during the journey.
So, Somnath took the child and sent a fervent prayer to Baba to save the child.

Baba came to his aid and after 15 minutes,
the body temperature of the baby returned to normal and the breathing grew steady.
And soon the baby’s condition improved and was later was named Padmakar.
When Padmakar was 2 months old, he was taken to Shirdi to have the darshan of Sai Baba.
Baba Himself took the Padmakar in His lap and said "Here is my Datta" (‘God’s gift’).
Hence Padmakar was named as 'Datta'.

Datta was a bright lad and studied up to 7th standard in Marathi medium school.
He participated in all the activities of the village & as his civic duty he voted during the elections.
He owned vast acres of land, and he made a living by farming.

Shri.Dattatreya Deshpande Nimonkar was the uncle of Shri.Nandakumar Revannath Deshpande Nimonkar
who is the present guardian of the holy Padukas given by Sai Baba himself to Nana Saheb Nimonkar in 1898
but were allowed for public darshan only after 2008, when Baba advised Shri.Nandakumar in his dreams to do so.

Also since the first Ramanavami celebrations in 1911 @ Shirdi, it was Nana Saheb Nimonkar, followed by the descendants of Nimonkar's
who supply the Green Embroidered flag every Ramanavami, which along with other Flags is hoisted on the roof of Dwarakamai.

Source: http://www.saiamrithadhara.com

Video/Photos: Miracle in Shirdi ~ Baba's Image Appears on Wall !

2012-02-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

A Miracle occurred in Shirdi on the night of Thursday 05th Jan`2012.

Right after Baba's Shej Aarti got over, an image of Sai Baba's face appeared on the wall of Dwarkamai.

Very distinctly seen, the face of Sai Baba appeared on the Nimbar (Niche) which is on the western wall of Dwarkamai.

The Shri Sai Satcharitra relates that it was here that Baba used to have his midday meal,

sitting behind a curtain with his back to the Nimbar, and a row of devotees on either side of him.

This is also the place where Baba would sleep with his head pointing towards the Nimbar.

Sai Baba also occasionally did his Namaz (ritual prayers) here.

This Nimbar also has a set of lamps placed by Baba in-front of it.

As this news spread, people from all over started rushing to Shirdi to be blessed by this miracle of Baba.

And slowly the crowds grew in such numbers that Shirdi Sansthan's Security guards also found it difficult to control them.

Chanting the name of Sai Baba, the inside & outside of Dwarkamai was flooded with devotees, all trying to get a glimpse of Baba's Image.

- VIDEO -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IR2oHL6c5k

POLITICIAN ENTERS SHIRDI TEMPLE WITH FOOTWEAR ON -

2012-02-02T17:17:00.000-08:00

02nd Jan`2012

On 01st Jan`2012, around 4 lakh devotees reached Shirdi & so did quite a few politicians,
all with the same motive - To start off 2012 with the Blessings of Sai Baba !

However, one politician, Mr.Narendra Verma & family/friends, who also happened to visit Shirdi for Sai Baba's Darshan,
entered Baba's Samadhi Shrine with their footwear on. Seeing which, when the other devotees raised objection,
Mr.Verma & others quickly removed their footwear in the corner of an adjoining room.

After Darshan, when Mr.Narendra Verma came out of the Temple, he apologized to all saying that due to the commotion
caused by the huge rush of devotees, in a hurry they forgot to remove their footwear before entering the Shrine.
But, while entering the Samadhi Shrine directly through the VIP Entrance, is there ever such a 'Rush'.
And hadn't Shirdi Sansthan stop all VIP Darshan till 02nd Jan`2012, owing to the huge rushes this festive season?

For which one can only imagine how the lakhs of other devotees
remain careful, while queuing up midst huge rushes, for hours waiting for their turn of Baba's Darshan.

- VIDEO -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ttImO6pBo0

New Year 2012 with Shri Shirdi Saibaba

2012-02-02T17:13:00.000-08:00

On 31st Dec`2011, Sai Baba's Samadhi Temple`Shirdi was kept open for devotees the whole Night

so that all of them who had reached Shirdi for New-years Eve, could have Baba's Darshan.

As a result there was no Shej Aarti on 31st Dec`2011

nor was there Baba's Kakad Aarti on 01st Jan`2012.

Sai Bhajans were sung live, through out the night by various singers.

And as the Clock Struck Midnight, Bells were Rung continuously

while all devotees voiced out "Shri Sachchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!"

Laddu Prasad was sold through out the 31st night for which an extra 2 quintals of Laddu's were specially made

and no VIP Darshan Passes were issued on 25th & 31st Dec`2011, 01st & 02nd Jan`2012.

As there was a huge rush of devotees, the Shirdi Sansthan had made arrangements for their stay.

Awnings, Beds and Tents were put up in approx 61,000 sr.ft area in the open area of the 'Sainagar' Field,

the parking lots of the new 'Bhakt Niwas' & the 'Sai Prasad Bhakt Niwas'.

Apart from these, lodging arrangements were also made for the devotees,

in the rooms of the Sansthan's Educational Complex Buildings.

In the additional Lodging, next to the new 'Bhakt Niwas'

arrangements were made for Prasad Meals for the convenience of the devotees.

On 1st Jan`2012 alone a record 4 lakh devotees visited Shirdi for Baba's Darshan

and to clear such extra rush of passengers, the Central Railway (CR)

ran a "Shraddha Special" between Mumbai and Sainagar Shirdi,

on the intervening night of 31st Dec`2011 - 01st Jan`2012

From 23rd Dec`2011 to 01st Jan`2012, a record donation worth Rs 14 crore 60 lakhs was made at the Shrine.

The donations included Rs.11 crore Cash, 1.25 kg Gold and 13.5 kg Silver.

According to the annual report of the Shirdi temple for the year 2010-11, the temple has come to amass a huge fortune

with its investment in fixed deposits with banks and government securities exceeding Rs.500 crore mark as of 31st March`2011.

The temple has Fixed Deposits with various nationalised banks worth Rs.466 crore,

while it has invested Rs 40.84 crore in Kisan Vikas Patra

and Rs.22 crore in Government Bonds aggregating to about Rs.529 crore.

Besides, the Shrine has 300 kgs gold worth approx Rs.28 crore,

3,000 kg silver worth approx Rs.4 crore & in 2011 alone it got Rs 250 crore in donations,

apart from some other valuables like precious stones, copper and brass objects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EazlxoHHG60

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp9r1ffTk_U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klRz8oGiVt4

2nd Jan 2012

2012-02-02T17:09:00.001-08:00

If the new Air-Taxi service proposal goes through, then from Feb`2012 devotees from Indore`Madhya Pradesh will be able to reach Shirdi in 90 mins flat at a cost of Rs.8000/- approx. Launched by Ventura Air Connect Private Limited in association with the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) this Taxi service will be initially begin with 2 flights every week (Thursdays & Saturdays) and will be increased on a regular basis if demanded.

MUMBAI TO SHIRDI HELICOPTER SERVICE ~PLUS EXPRESS VIP DARSHAN PASS @ SAI TEMPLE

2011-11-06T16:29:00.000-08:00

04th Nov`2011

The aerial route to Shirdi just got another boost with the entry of another private charter company,
'United Helicharters' in partnership with 'Wings n Rotors' launching a half day to & fro helicopter service from Mumbai to Shirdi.
This is in addition to the already operational Mumbai to Shirdi 'Airnetz Aviation' helicopter charter services.

While 'Airnetz' operates a 6 seater chopper once a week,
the 'Wings n Rotors' will operate a 13 seater Twin Engine Bell-212 Helicopter thrice a week.

Days of Operation: Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays.

Departure from Mumbai: Around 09:00 A.m
Arrival @ Shirdi: In 1 Hour.

Departure from Shirdi: Around 12:30 P.m
Arrival in Mumbai: In 1 Hour.

Pick-up Point: MUMBAI JUHU AERODROME.
Opp. Nanavati Hospital,
S.V. Road , Vile Parle (W),
Mumbai – 400 054,
Maharashtra, India.

Drop Point: SHIRDI SANSTHAN'S HELIPAD
(5 mins Drive from the Sai Baba Temple)
Village - Nighoj
Taluka - Kopergaon
Shirdi - 423 109.
India.

Return Trip Fare: Rs.25,000/- per person (Taxes & Surcharge Extra)

Inclusive of: 1) Express VIP darshan @ Sai Baba's Samadhi Shrine`Shirdi
2) Car Pick-up & Drop to & from the Helipad to the Sai Baba Temple.

Online Booking: http://uhpl.in/new/?page_id=228

Contact: http://wingsnrotors.com/aha/?page_id=33
or http://uhpl.in/new/?page_id=16

AGRA TO SHIRDI - DEVOTEE OFFERS FREE RAIL TRIP FOR THE POOR

2011-11-06T16:25:00.001-08:00

02nd Nov`2011

The Number of Sai devotees in Agra, Uttar Pradesh`India is increasing amazingly.
According to one estimate, there are more than One lakh committed Sai devotees in Agra and
every month around 200 Sai devotees go to Shirdi, to seek Baba's blessings and offer their prayers.

But there are many people who due to financial constraints can never even imagine to visit Shirdi.
Well, like it is said that when Sai Baba calls someone, who can stop him from coming to Shirdi !

So, on the occasion of his sons birthday, the mentor of the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple at Raja Mandi Junction`Agra,
organized a free of cost trip to Shirdi & back by Train, for such unprivileged people of Agra`Uttar Pradesh, India.
He has being doing so consecutively for the past five years by booking a whole bogey of the Train
thus giving an opportunity to more than 150 helpless and poor people to visit Shirdi, at no cost.
These devotees for whom its a Dream come true would be returning back from Shirdi to Agra on 05th Nov`2011.

SAI BABA SANSTHAN TRUST`SHIRDI TO BUILD ANOTHER HOSPITAL

2011-10-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

19th Oct`2011
In order to expand the Free Health Treatment services for the needy people, the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust`Shirdi
is going to construct one more Hospital at Nandurki village, about 5 km away from Shirdi`Maharashtra.
This proposed 600-bed 'Sai Baba Hospital' would be the third Hospital to be run by the Shirdi Sansthan Trust.

To be constructed at a cost of Rs.245 crore, this Hospital project would be completed in three years time.
The funds for the construction have been already sanctioned by the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust`Shirdi while
the Nandurki village Gram Panchayat has readily donated 15 hectares of land free of cost,
to the Shirdi Sansthan Trust for this Project.

This Hospital will be in addition to the 2 existing Hospitals in Shirdi run by the Shirdi Sansthan Trust.
First is the 'Sai Baba Superspeciality Hospital' and the second is the 'Sainath Hospital', each, with a 200 bed capacity,
for which, the Trust spends Rs.70 crore annually to provide health facilities for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) people.

Over 37,000 poor patients from across the country have been provided free treatment for various ailments
during the last 5 years for which the Trust has spent Rs.54 crore.

The Shirdi Sansthan Trust has also decided to develop approach roads towards & within Shirdi under the
'Shirdi Integrated Road Development Scheme' for which Rs.88 crore has already been sanctioned by the Trust.

GOLD GULABDANI (ROSE-WATER SPRINKLER) DONATED @ SHIRDI

2011-10-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

18th Oct`2011On Sunday, 16th October`2011, a Sai devotee donated a
Gold Gulabdani (Rose-water Sprinkler) worth Rs.10 lakhs to Sai Baba @ Shirdi.

PICKPOCKET CAUGHT ON CCTV INSIDE SAI BABA TEMPLE @ SHIRDI

2011-10-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

12th Oct`2011Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan has been warning devotees to take care of their personal belongings when in Shirdi.
A recorded Message warning devotees to beware of Pickpockets is aired repeatedly over the speakers in the Temple premises.
Also, Message Boards Warning the same, have been placed inside & outside the Darshan waiting halls where devotees queue up.

To avoid Pickpocketing & other such untoward incidents, the Sansthan Trust has beefed up security at the Sai Temple
by installing CCTV's all around the Temple Premises and a new Biometric Facial Recognition technique
which can locate and alert the temple staff of the presence of thieves, pickpockets and even terrorists.
This new system will enable the uploading of pictures of such habitual offenders into the system
and whenever they come within the ambit of CCTV cameras, authorities will be alerted automatically.
The Shirdi Sansthan is also in constant touch with the Shirdi Police in-order to nab such offenders
who take advantage of the huge crowds standing in Queues for Darshan at the Sai Temple.

Thus, on Tuesday 11th Oct`2011, a Pickpocket was caught red handed @ Shirdi's Sai Baba Temple.
His entire act of Pick-pocketing inside the very Sanctum Sanctorum of the Shrine,
just besides Baba's Samadhi was captured by the CCTV Cameras installed.
As a result he was caught and handed over to the Shirdi Police Station
where a case has been registered against him.

His Modus Operandi: Uses a child along to push forward through the crowds
as if in a hurry for Baba's Darshan while smoothly pick pockets along.
After Darshan he would again be back in the Darshan Queue for the same obvious reasons.
He was caught with Rs.11,000/- in cash.

But due to absence of Stict-n-Stern laws,
such offenders are out of prison soon and back to their work again !

- VIDEO -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjIABIGRGgI

Source: Samay Mumbai News

An animated movie named "My Lord Sai Baba" is being released in Oct 2011

2011-10-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

"MY LORD SAI BABA"..

An animated movie version named "My Lord Sai Baba" is being released on the auspicious occasion of Diwali 2011 , specially for the younger generation to understand the concept of the teaching of SAB KA MALIK EIK!!..

Click to the below link to see the trailor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&v=Z7U7Gc6AXZ8

SAI BABA TEMPLE @ SHIRDI VACATED FOR CHIEF MINISTERS VISIT

2011-10-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

11th Oct`2011
On Monday 10th Oct`2011, the entire premises, Inside as well as Outside the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi
was vacated due to Security concerns over the visit of Maharashtra's Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to the Sai Temple.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by a few more Ministers of his team were on a day-long tour of Ahmednagar district
during which they stopped over @ Shirdi for Sai Baba's Darshan.

Therefore, Sai Baba's Darshan in the Samadhi Shrine was stopped for rest of the devotees present Inside the Temple,
as well as those standing in Queue's for hours Outside the Temple. They were asked to vacate the entire premises
till the time the Chief Minister & the other ministers were present inside Baba's Samadhi Shrine.

This really annoyed the devotees who felt that it would have been much graceful if they were allowed inside the Samadhi Shrine
together with the Chief Minister while performed Pada Puja/Arati of Sai Baba.
They believe that if this was done,
it would have sent out a very good message of understanding between the Chief Minister and the common man.

The devotees felt that even though the Chief Ministers visit to Shirdi for Baba's Darshan was justified and so was his High Security
but just because of that asking all the other devotees to vacate the entire Temple premises was not justified,
as they were standing in queues even before the Chief Minister arrived for Baba's Darshan.
They felt that because the Shirdi Sansthan already had tight security like Metal Detectors, scanners etc for all devotees entering the Temple,
then how can these very same devotees be asked to leave the Temple premises citing Security Concerns !

Some devotees also said that they want the Shirdi Sansthan to plan out some arrangements for such VIP/Celebrities
visit to Shirdi for Baba's Darshan, so that the other devotees don't have any inconvenience.

To be noted that on 28th Jan`2011, when Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi had visited Shirdi,
even at that time the entire Temple premises was vacated for an hour
and Sai Baba's darshan was also stopped for all the other devotees.

- VIDEO -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqB1nQp8Ow0

During his visit Maharashtra's Chief Minister
Inaugurated the Security Control Centre of the Sai Temple`Shirdi

During his visit Maharashtra's Chief Minister
also excavated the replica of Shri Sai Garden Theme Park`Shirdi

SAI BABA'S PUNYATITHI FESTIVAL`2011 @ SHIRDI

2011-10-12T23:44:00.000-07:00

- VIDEO -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cZk6HppUN0

- 05th Oct`2011 to 08th Oct`2011 -

Source: https://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org

SHRI SAI SATCHARITRA RELEASED IN ODIYA LANGUAGE

2011-10-12T23:37:00.000-07:00

07th Oct`2011On 06th October`2011, on the occasion of Shirdi Sai Baba's 93rd Punyatithi Festival,
the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust`Shirdi released the holy Shri Sai Satcharitra in Odiya (Oriya) Language.
The book translated in Odiya (Oriya) by Shri Satya Khadagray was inaugurated at the Samadhi Mandir.
The Holy Shri Sai Satcharitra has earlier been translated in 13 other languages also.

- VIDEO -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04loOFdx8D4

Source: http://www.youtube.com/user/jmshirdi007

Rs.32 Lakh GOLD UMBRELLA DONATED TO BABA @ SHIRDI

2011-10-12T23:34:00.000-07:00

04th Oct`2011On 03rd October`2011, an unknown Sai Devotee donated a 1 kg 50 gm pure Gold Umbrella to Baba @ Shirdi.
Worth Rs.32 lakhs, this is the first time that such an expensive offering was put anonymously in the Donation Box.
This beautifully designed Golden Umbrella also has 400 American Diamonds studded on it.
But because, the size of this Golden Umbrella is quite small, it will not be used to hang over the Idol of Sai Baba.

- VIDEO -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv0rQUTsk6k

180 Kg SANDALWOOD PALANQUIN DONATED TO BABA @ SHIRDI

2011-10-12T23:32:00.000-07:00

30th Sept 2011
On Thursday 29th September`2011, just a few days before Sai Baba's Punyatithi Celebrations,
a Sai Devotee from Mumbai donated a Pure Sandalwood Palanquin (Palki) worth Rs.19,50,000/- to Baba @ Shirdi.
Made in Bengaluru`Karnataka, this pure Sandalwood Palanquin weighs 180 kilos and is adorned on a pure Teak wood Stand.
Both the Palanquin & the Stand have beautiful intricate designs carved out on them.
Standing apart from the other Palanquins in Shirdi, this Palanquin took almost 15 months of hard work to be made.

The devotee informed that all the required permissions were taken from the Tamil Nadu Government
for & prior to the purchase of 180 kilos of Sandalwood from Tamil Nadu`India.
The Sandalwood which remained unused has also been given to the Shirdi Sansthan to be put to use.

- VIDEO -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg0mhDb8vLw

Rs.100 Crore DRINKING WATER PROJECT @ SHIRDI

2011-10-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

27th Sept 2011

To solve Water woes that Sai devotees might face in the future, while visiting Shirdi,
the Shirdi Sai Sansthan has decided to undertake a Drinking Water project worth Rs.100 crore.

In 2010, nearly 2.5 crore devotees visited the Sai Temple`Shirdi and keeping in mind the centenary year celebrations of Sai Baba in 2018,
a huge turn-out (more than 7 crore devotees) is anticipated. Thus, the decision has been taken now to implement the Water Project,
rather than waiting for the next 50 years and see the residents of Shirdi & Sai devotees suffer due to water shortage.
So, tt is better to plan rather than wait for the problem to occur.

According to the proposal, Water will be brought from the Nilwande Dam which is 80km away from Shirdi.
This project is going to be a big project, estimated to cost around Rs.100 crore.
To complete this Water project,
the Shirdi Sansthan Trust will seek financial help from the State & Central government
and if any financial gap still remains, it will be filled by the Shirdi Trust.

The project work will be carried out by the Shirdi Development Authority (SDA),
which has been recently formed by the Maharashtra State Government.
The body was formulated to improve infrastructure in Shirdi and its adjoining locations.

Work on this Water Project will commence within the next 6 months
and is expected to be completed in the next 2 years.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com

LEGAL ACTION OVER SHIRDI SAI BABA'S 9 SILVER COINS

2011-10-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

25th Sept`2011

Late Smt.Laxmibai Shinde had, during her entire lifetime,
served Shri Shirdi Sai Baba with utmost devotion and care. She used to feed Baba everyday.
On 15th October 1918, a few moments before attaining Samadhi, Sai Baba gave Laxmi Ma, 9 Silver Coins as Prasad,
in appreciation of her devotion towards him.

The Nine Coins signify the 9-fold path of devotion:
1. Sharvana (Listening)
2. Kirtana (Devotional Music)
3. Smarana (Remembrance)
4. Pada Seva (Resorting to Guru's Feet)
5. Archanan (Worship)
6. Namaskara (Making Obeisance)
7. Dastya (Service)
8. Sahnyatva (Friendliness)
9. Atmanivedana (Surrender of the Self)

Smt. Laxmibai Shinde had Two Sons:
1) Shri.Nana Tukaram Patil Shinde married to Smt.Sonubai and whose Daughter is Smt.Shailaja Maa.
2) Shri.Tatya Tukaram Patil Shinde whose great Grandson is Shri.Chandrakant Bapusaheb Shinde

And today, Laxmibai's Grand-Daughter Smt.Shailaja Maa and
Laxmibai's Great Grand-Son Shri.Chandrakant Bapusaheb Shinde are at loggerheads with each other.
Each Claim to have the possession of the Original 9 Silver Coins given by Sai Baba to Laxmibai.
Thus, these 9 Silver Coins given by Baba to Laxmibai 93 years back, have become 18 Silver Coins !!!

According to the daughter of Shri.Nana Tukaram Patil Shinde & Sonubai, Shailaja Maa,
in 1963, at the time of her Grand Mother Laxmibai Shinde's demise,
Laxmibai had handed over these blessed 9 Silver Coins to her mother Sonubai, who then later handed them over to her.

And from 1918 to 1990, these Coins were in a wooden frame and in 1990 they were fixed in a Silver frame.
Shailaja Maa said that she has kept these 9 Silver Coins at her House ever since and were open for Darshan for all Sai Devotees.
Her son Shri.Arun Gaikwad has also traveled to various places with these 9 Silver Coins so that all Sai Devotees could have their darshan.

On the other hand, according to the Great Grandson of Laxmibai Shinde, Shri.Chandrakant Bapusaheb Shinde,
his Great Grand Mother Smt.Laxmibai had given the Original 9 Silver Coins to her son Shri.Tatya Tukaram Patil Shinde,
who then passed it on to his son Shri.Bhaskar Nana Patil Shinde who in-turn handed it down to his son
Shri.Bapusaheb Bhaskar Rao Shinde and from whom finally he inherited these 9 Silver Coins.

Shri.Chandrakant Bapusaheb Shinde said that he has kept these 9 Silver Coins in a wooden frame next to Laxmibai Shinde's Idol
at Laxmibai Shinde's ancestral House itself, where he too has been staying for the past so many years.
Many Sai devotees who visit Shirdi, also have Darshan of these 9 Blessed Silver Coins in Laxmibai's house.

So while both Claim to be in possession of the Original 9 Silver Coins given by Baba to Laxmi Ma,
a huge controversy is brewing n Shirdi as to who has the actual possession of Baba's ORIGINAL 9 Silver Coins.
As according to both their claims, now there a total of 18 Silver Coins
instead of only 9 Coins originally given by Baba to Laxmibai.

Claiming that she is in possession of the Original 9 Silver Coins of Baba, Shailaja Maa Gaikwad said
that Shri.Chandrakant Shinde had got fake Duplicate Coins from the Market and by claiming that they were
the Original 9 Silver Coins given by Baba to Laxmi Ma, he was was cheating innocent Sai devotees.
She added that Shri.Chandrakant Shinde came out with these 9 Silver Coins only in 1986,
whereas she has had them in her house for Darshan since 1963.

Shri.Arun Gaikwad, son of Shailaja Maa said that in 1980 due to family feud with his Uncle,
he with his Grand Mother Sonubai and Mother Shailja Maa left Shirdi with the Original 9 Silver Coins given by Baba to Laxmibai.
They stayed in Kopergaon, only to return back to Shirdi in 1996 when they learnt that their Uncle's son Shri.Chandrakant Shinde
was fooling Sai Devotees by claiming that he had the Original 9 Silver Coins given to Laxmibai by Sai Baba.

Thus, taking strict legal action against such malpractices, on 23rd Sept`2011, the Hon.Managing Trustee of
'Saibhakta Laxmibai Shinde Trust`Shirdi' Smt.Shailaja Maa registered a complaint at the Shirdi Police Station
stating that her nephews — Shivaji Bhaskar Shinde, Govind Bhaskar Shinde and Bapushaeb Bhaskar Shinde
were allegedly duping devotees by showing them fake Silver coins and collecting money.

According to the Senior Police Inspector of Shirdi Police Station, investigations will be based on the documents given by Shailaja Maa,
showing how Shailaja Maa got the 9 Silver coins. And both the Set of 9 Silver Coins will be taken in & send
to the concerned department for testing, to ascertain which is actually the original set of 9 Coins given by Baba to Laxmibai.

Meanwhile, the Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan is silent on this whole issue
as it prefers to stay away from any such controversies.

- VIDEOS -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbW41XGKFYY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd2nIgRNWho

- GRAND DAUGHTER SHAILAJA MAA GAIKWAD -

- GREAT GRANDSON SHRI.CHANDRAKANT SHINDE -

COMMANDOS DEPLOYED FOR THE FIRST TIME @ SAI BABA TEMPLE`SHIRDI

2011-10-12T23:17:00.000-07:00

Thursday, 08th Sep`2011Security arrangements at the Sai Baba temple @ Shirdi have been beefed up in the backdrop of the recent bomb blasts in Delhi.
The Intelligence Bureau too had warned that the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi, was already on the hit list of terrorists.
And so, for the First Time in Shirdi, a team of 8 Elite Armed Commandos from the specialized Rapid Action Force (RAF),
have been deployed at the premises and the Main Gate of the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi.
This elite RAF team includes an Officer, 10 Soldiers and around 80 Armed Police Personnel.

Apart from this team,
around 700 Guards, belonging to the Shirdi Sansthan were also deployed at all Entry & Exit points of the Temple.
The Security was stepped up at other places in Shirdi also, following directives by the Authorities.

Senior Police Inspector of Shirdi Police Station said that the decision to increase the security personnel
was taken in a meeting with the District Superintendent of Police.

The Armed Commandos carried out a march all around the Temple premises,
where thousands of devotees waited in long queues for the Darshan of Sai Baba.
They also assured the devotees that they were secure.

The Shirdi Sansthan already has CCTV's Installed all around the Temple premises for a constant surveillance
and Devotees were frisked and asked to keep away mobiles & cameras when entering the Temple for Darshan.

In another development, the Additional Superintendent of Police, Sub-Divisional Officer and other Senior Officers of the area
held a meeting recently to decide on the illegal activities being carried out in Shirdi.
It is reported that the officials deliberated the fate of around 700 illegal Lodges & Hotels in Shirdi
where most of the illegal activities are carried out.
The officials have decided to issue notices to such businesses to down Shutters.

SHIRDI SAI BABA -- FIRST EVER SCREEN GRABS COMIC BOOK

2011-10-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

16th Sept`2011

The First ever Comic Book based on the life of Shirdi Sai Baba was recently released.
This One-of its kind Comic Strip Photo-book titled 'Shirdi Sai Baba' has 40 pages adapted out of Screen-grabs
from Producer Aushim Khetrapal's 2001 National Integration Award winning movie 'Shirdi Sai Baba'.

The idea of making a Comic book on Shirdi Sai Baba came after many devotees requested the filmmakers to make
a Print version of the Celluloid Film. Published by Aushim Khetrapal's Shirdi Sai Baba Foundation`Delhi,
this book revolves around the spiritual journey of Baba's life & it's key incidents as shown in the movie.

- SHIRDI SAI BABA FOUNDATION -
252-H, LGF, Kailash Plaza,
Main Road, Sant Nagar,
East Of Kailash,
New Delhi -110065.
India
Tel: 011-46567351/52
Email: info@ssbf.in
Web: http://www.ssbf.in

This Comic book is a fun & interactive way for people of all Ages, to learn about Baba and has received
an overwhelming response from Sai Devotees as it sold over 20,000 copies, even before it hit the book stores.
The book available only in English & Hindi would be translated in other languages too, if needed.

'SHIRDI SAI BABA' ENGLISH EDITION

'SHIRDI SAI BABA' HINDI EDITION

GOVERNMENT GETS CONTROL OVER 30% OF FUNDS DONATED @ SHIRDI -

2011-08-02T17:21:00.000-07:00

28th July`2011
The Maharashtra Government has set its eyes on the large funds donated by devotees @ Shirdi.
And so in-order to fulfill its own duties towards the State, the Government has decided to utilize the donations offered by devotees at the Shirdi Shrine.
On Wednesday 27th July`2011, the Maharashtra Government passed the Bill seeking an amendment to the "Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Ordinance 2004",which gives the Government the right to access up-to 30% of the donated funds collected by the Shirdi Sansthan Trust through devotee's.
This Bill was passed at the Maharashtra Legislative Council without any discussion what-so-ever and irrespective of the huge political opposition against this idea till now, there was no opposition by any political party when this Bill got actually passed.
So now, the Maharashtra Government legally has got the right to utilize up-to 30% of the funds collected by the Sansthan through donations.It can use these funds to implement a slew of Infrastructure, Development and welfare projects at Shirdi. In other words, the Shirdi Sansthan Trust now has the Authority to give Financial Assistance & Grants to the Boards, Companies or Institutions falling under the control of Maharashtra Government.
The Government can now use the devotee's donated funds for the development of the Shirdi Airport, Railway Station, Bus Depots, Car-Parking and other projects which were stuck earlier due to the Government's lack of funds like the construction of a 6 km long Skywalk around the Shirdi Temple, Footpaths, Pedestrian Pathways, a 10-level-high multi-layer Parking lot, Ring Road and a bypass road for the Traffic, widening & reconstruction of around 25 km of road in and around Shirdi etc

Earlier, on 21st July`2011,
the youth activists of a political party had organised a Begging Rally just outside the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi, in-protest of Shirdi Sansthan using the donation funds for the completion of the Shirdi Airport, which actually was the duty of the State Government.They begged on the roads and decided to give the collected money to the Shirdi Sansthan,for them to use it instead of the donation money for completion of the Airport work, as they were against the Sai Santhan giving Rs.50 Crores to the Government for the same. They have also threatened "Shirdi Bandh" and Self-immolation near the Sai Temple itself, if the Sansthan goes ahead & gives the money to the Government.

While, on 22nd July`2011,
Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay visited Shirdi and said that his ministry would provide Rs.300 crore for the development of the Sai Baba Temple premises and Shirdi town. He assured that he would discuss the issue with the Maharashtra Chief Minister.He said that the development of Shirdi has been rather slow, considering that nearly 30,000 devotees come to the town every day and so if they could double the sector's contribution to GDP, lakhs of new jobs would be created.As to the Sai Baba Temple Trust giving money to the Maharashtra Government for proposed airport at Shirdi, he said it was not right for the Government to turn to the Shirdi Trust for this purpose !!!

TWO ECO-AMBULANCES DONATED TO SAI BABA @ SHIRDI

2011-08-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

On 18th July`2011, a non-profitable Trust "Sadbhavana Sewa Sansthan" Noida`Uttar Pradesh, India - donated 2 Eco-Ambulances to Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust`Shirdi

FREE BOARDING & LODGING FACILITY FOR PILGRIMS @ SHIRDI -

2011-08-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

"Sree Kasi Annapurna Vasavi Arya Vysya Trust" Hyderabad`Andhra Pradesh, India
has started a free Boarding and Lodging facility @ Shirdi for all pilgrims without any discrimination.
Facilities including free Boarding Accommodation with hygienic surroundings at nominal maintenance charges will be
provided to all pilgrims for 3 consecutive days.

The "Nithyanna Satram" (free boarding choultries) project has been started for the benefit of pilgrims
who find it difficult to get accommodation and food at far away pilgrimages.

On 28th April`2011, under this "Nithyanna Satram" project, a 320 Room, new building was inaugurated at Shirdi.
This building spread over an area of 2 acres is attached to an existing 7500 sq. feet, 40 room, 3 floor building at Shirdi,
which has been operational since 2005.

- NITHYANNA SATRAM`SHIRDI -

- NITHYANNA SATRAM -
Near Shri Sai Baba Mandir.
Nagar-Manmad Road,
Opp.Joshi Hospital.
Shirdi - 423109.
Ahmednagar district,
Maharashtra, India.
Tele: 02423-255039,098228 93791
Email: ho@aryavysyasatram.com
Web: http://aryavysyasatram.com

Facilities Available:
1. A.C, Deluxe, Non A.C Rooms and Suites.
2. Modern Rooms with Bath Attached.
3. Colour T.V & cable connection in Rooms.
4. 24 hours Free Hot Water supply through Solar Heaters.
5. Mineral Water supply in all floors.
6. Dormitory facility.
7. Lift facility.
8. Reservation facility for Bus (APSRTC & KSRTC), Train and Airlines.
9. 24 hours check-out system.
10. Ample Space for Car Parking.
11. Dining Hall.
12. Delicious Homely Food.
13. Caretakers: Honourable Founder Member, Manager, Office Assistant, Cooks,
Watchmen & Assistants for Sanitary Maintenance.
14. Transportation is available at a reasonable cost.

Note: Advance Booking is required for rooms in the Satram.
I.D. & Guest Card should be used to avail Accommodation in the Satram.

MPCB TO SHIRDI SAI TRUST:"INSTALL EXHAUST FANS IN TEMPLE PREMISES !"

2011-08-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

22nd July`2011
Frequent Incidents of Devotees complaining of dizziness and vomiting during their visit to the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi,
has prompted the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to ask the Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust
to immediately install Exhaust Fans in the Temple premises.

In a letter, the MPCB has also asked the Shirdi Trust to file a Compliance Report after taking the necessary action.

The number of devotees visiting the Sai Baba Temple has increased in the recent past.
However, the facilities provided to them are found to be inadequate.
The main religious festivals celebrated at the temple are Ramnavami, Guru Pournima and Dasara
when 3-5 lakh devotees visit the temple.

Guru Purnima Utsav Pictures 2011

2011-07-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

Guru Purnima Utsav Pictures 2011

https://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/new/picturegallery/2011/GuruPournimaUtsav2011/index.html

GURUPOURNIMA`2011 @ SHIRDI - RECORD DONATION OF Rs 5.25 CRORES IN 3 DAYS !!!

2011-07-20T19:16:00.000-07:00

When Sai Baba gives to his devotees, he does so wholeheartedly without any limits
and during Gurupournima`2011 his devotees too were in the same mood and donated to HIM wholeheartedly.
During the 3 days Gurupournima Celebrations from 14th to 16th July`2011,
over 2.5 lakh Pilgrims visited the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi and made a Record Donation worth Rs 5.25 Crores to Baba.
RECORD CASH DONATION IN 3 DAYS:
Rs 2.25 Crore in the Sai Temples Donation Boxes
Rs 1.50 Crore at Shirdi Sansthan's Donation Counter @ Shirdi
Total: Rs 3.75 Crore (Including US Dollars, British Pound and Dirhams worth Rs.6 Lakhs)
RECORD GOLD/SILVER DONATION IN 3 DAYS:
6 kg Gold Items and 9 kg Silver Items worth Rs 1.50 Crore.
The Gold Items included:
a) 4.7 kg Silver Crown with Gold Plating worth Rs 2,14,676 /-
b) 3 kgs Pure Gold Photo Frame worth Rs.70 Lakh
c) 1.25 kg Gold Naga-Sai "Sai Shivlinga" worth Rs 26,47,500/-
d) 1.50 kg Gold Necklace.
e) 1.50 kg Gold Incense Stand.

See this news on Video at

GOLD PLATED SILVER CROWN DONATED TO BABA @ SHIRDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO_88N2un5g&feature=player_embedded

RECORD CASH DONATED IN 3 DAYS @ SHIRDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OxzmLR-Up4&feature=player_embedded

RECORD GOLD/SILVER DONATED IN 3 DAYS @ SHIRDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZJ3I-JKl9c&feature=player_embedded

"Sai Tech Project": Online Booking System for Baba's Darshan @ Shirdi

2011-07-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

Latest News from the Shirdi Sai Sansthan on the auspiscious occasion of Guru Purnima

https://online.sai.org.in/

In a continuous endeavor to enhance devotee experience at Shirdi and to facilitate ease of devotee Darshan, Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust has introduced online reservation of services such as accommodation, Darshan, donation etc online. Devotee's can thus plan their Shirdi visit online.

Devotee with this new facility; has option to check availability of various services, add services to the list of selected services and then make payment through secure payment gateway. Devotee gets a single reference ID (acknowledgement ID) for all services opted, which she/he can use for all future references with Sansthan.

Now, Devotees can book Saibaba's Darshan online!

Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi has introduced online Darshan system for better queue management and devotee convenience. In online Darshan pass system, devotee has to provide personal details and select time slot for Darshan. Using the acknowledgement generated online, devotee will get an actual Darshan pass at Shirdi. Devotee needs to undergo biometric scanning at verification gate before proceeding for Darshan. Devotee can avail Darshan only in selected time slot.

Now, Saibaba's Devotees can book a room for themselves before their visit!

Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust provides various types accommodation facilities to Saibaba devotee's at affordable charges. Various room types ranging from Rs. 150 to Rs. 1000 are available as per devotee needs.The Dwarawati Bhaktiniwas is two minutes walking distance from the Bus stand. It was built in the year 2008. It has 334 rooms and dormitories and large rooms to accommodate small groups or families of six to ten people. It also have 80 AC Rooms .This complex is also well equipped with the facilities like the parking space, 24 hour water supply, electricity supply (with full capacity generator back-up) & the security.

The New Bhakta Niwas is the biggest accommodation complex consisting 542 rooms of various categories. It is about 01 Kilometer away on south of the Mandir Complex. Free shuttle service between Mandir complex and New Bhakta Niwas is available round the clock. This complex is well equipped with parking space, canteen facility, 24 hour water, electricity supply (with full capacity generator back-up) and security. It is also equipped with the solar hot water system.

Sai Prasad Niwassthan is yet another accommodation facility located next to Mandir premise and hardly at a distance of 0.5 km from ST stand. This facility has approximately 400 rooms with various room types. This complex is established in year 2000, mainly to facilitate the devotees coming in major groups. It has big dormitories and large halls to accommodate group of people. This complex is also well equipped with the facilities like the parking space, canteen facility, 24 hour water, electricity supply (with full capacity generator back-up) and security.

Now, Saibaba's Devotees can donate their share through e-donation!

Shri Saibaba himself explained the importance of Charity in the 14th chapter of Shri Sai Satcharitra meaning "Charity for a noble cause gives purity of mind to devotee".

Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust accepts donation from devotees for various funds. Sansthan uses the donation for the day to day administration of the Trust to fulfill the requirements of devotee such as accommodation, food, medical services etc.

Donations made under Charitable/Development are eligible for income tax deduction u/s 80-G of income Tax Act 1961. Donation made under charitable/development fund is allocated to following funds:

General Donation Fund: This fund is utilized for Trust corpus fund to provide facilities for devotees.

Building Fund Scheme: this fund is utilized for construction of Buildings for various purposes of Sansthan as well as devotees.

Medical fund: This fund is used for needy patients of Shirdi and surroundings area to get modern and up to date medical facility at affordable rates.

Annadan fund: This fund is used for providing meal (Prasad Bhojan) to Sai devotees at concessional rate and free meal to poor and needy people in Shri Sai Prasadalaya at Shirdi.

Education fund: This fund is used for development and administration of various educational institutions started by Sansthan to get better and up to date educational facility to rural area students of Shirdi and surrounding areas.

Nitya Prasadalaya Annadan scheme: This fund is collected with co-operation from Andhra Bank. Total fund is deposited in this bank. The interest is used for Nitya Prasadalaya Annadan scheme.

Donations made under Religious Activities Fund are not eligible for income tax deduction u/s 80-G of income Tax Act 1961. These donations are allocated to following funds:

Abhishek Fund: This fund is utilized for Daily Abhishek Pooja which is done by Sansthan on behalf of Sai Devotees.

Naivedya Fund: This fund is utilized for Nitya Naivedya to Shri Saibaba in the temple.

Festival fund: This fund is utilized for expenditures during festivals like Ramnavami, Shri Guru Pournima and Shri Saibaba Punyatithi.

Kothi (Dhoop Deep) fund: This fund is utilized for daily Pooja is performed in Samadhi temple, Dwarkamai, Gurusthan and Chavdi.

Shri Sai Satyavrat (Satyanarayan) Fund: This fund is utilized for daily Shri Sai Satyavrat Pooja arranged by Sansthan. Pooja material is supplied by Sansthan.

Sansthan has also undertaken a project titled "Development of Integrated Socio Economical Health, Education and essential facilities". This project is approved by "National committee for Promotion of Social and Economical Welfare (New Delhi)" under section 35 AC vide notification no. S.O. 1473 (E) dated 17th June, 2008. Economically backward people will get the benefit under this scheme. Sansthan can accept donations under 35 AC up to a certain limit.

And Now, Saibaba's Devotees can also view availability of "Free Prasad Donation Scheme! and much more at

https://online.sai.org.in/#

Latest News from Shirdi during the Guru Purnima festival in 2011

2011-07-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

14th July 2011

The Decorated Shirdi Sai Baba Temple on 14th July`11. Also as expected (1.25 lakh) devotees to reach Shirdi on the eve of Gurupurnima, hardly 1 lakh reached ...all due to the Mumbai Bomb Blasts. Also a devotee donated a Silver Crown (Rs.2 lakh 15 Thousand) to Baba yesterday.

-------

A Devotee today donated a Pure Gold/Gems studded huge Photo Frame worth Rs.70 Lakhs for Baba's Photo which is kept in Dwarkamai near Baba's Sitting stone. The frame has been already installed. Another devotee donated a Pure Gold Crown worth lakhs while one donated a Pure Gold Idol of Baba sitting under Snakes (Like a Shivalingam)

---------

Rs.1 CRORE worth Gold/Silver/Gems have been donated to Baba @ Shirdi on the first day of Gurupurnima alone !!! 450 kgs Gold and 4000 kgs Silver !!!

--------

One more devotee has donated a Rs.1.15 Crore Pure Gold Stand with a Symbol of "OM" to Baba @ Shirdi.

--------

THEFT OF RS.25 LAKH WORTH SILVER @ SAI BABA TEMPLE IN NALGONDA`A.P

2011-07-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

11th July`2011

There has been a Theft at the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple on the outskirts of Devarakonda town in Nalgonda district`Andhra Pradesh, India.
On, Monday 11th July`2011 at around 05:00 am the thieves entered the Sai Temple after break opening the south entrance of the temple.

They decamped with Baba's Silver Crown, Silver Throne etc weighing around 40 - 50 kgs.
They also took away the Temples Donation Box & one Almirah but dumped them at a furlong after taking away all the Cash kept in them.
As the theft took place in the early hours of the morning and as the temple is on the outskirts of the village, no one heard the noise of the thieves breaking-in the Temple. The loss is estimated at around Rs.25 lakhs (2.5 million rupees).

The cops suspect this act to be the work of around 4 thieves.Some suspects have been taken into custody. Devarakonda's Deputy Superintendent of Police visited the Temple and has formed two teams to nab the thieves. Nalgonda's CCS team, dog squad and fingerprint team reached the Temple and got some finger-prints which will be examined during the investigation being conducted.
More pics of this temple at
https://picasaweb.google.com/105578562840733665264/SaibabaTempleInNalgondaInAndhraPradesh?authuser=0&feat=directlink

UNIQUE TEMPLE OF SHIRDI SAI BABA IN PELLURU`ANDHRA PRADESH

2011-07-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

08th July`2011

See Pictures of this temple at

https://picasaweb.google.com/105578562840733665264/SHIRDISAIBABAINPELLURUANDHRAPRADESH?authuser=0&feat=directlink

SRI SAINATHUNI DHYANA MANDIRAM -
Saibaba Central School,
Sai Babuji Nagar,
Pelluru, Ongole,
Andhra Pradesh.
India

A Unique 60-ft two-tier Temple of Shirdi Sai Baba "Sainathuni Dhyana Mandiram" was inaugurated in Pelluru Village on the outskirts of Ongole in Prakasam District`Andhra Pradesh, India.
On Thursday 07th July`2011, a life size statue of Shirdi Sai Baba made of pure white Italian marble was installed,midst religious fervour and continous chanting of Sai Baba's name.
1) The 2.5 tonne and the 5.6-ft Idol of Sai Baba is made of marble procured from the same quarry in Italy which supplied the marble for the divine statue of Sai Baba in Shirdi.
2) While noted Sculptor Shri.Balaji Vasantrao Talim of Mumbai chiselled Sai Baba's Idol in Shirdi,
his grandson Shri.Rajiv Harish Talim made the Idol here with the same Clay Model prepared by his grandfather,so as to to make a close copy of the Baba's Idol in Shirdi.Every minute aspect of the grand structure has been meticulously executed blending tradition & modernity by architect Chirstopher Burgess, an Englishman who had turned a devotee of Sai Baba moved by the teachings of Guruji Sri Sainathuni Sarath Babuji.
3) The fully ventilated open Sai Temple has Sai Baba's Idol with Black Granite background so that its visible from all the directions.
4) Even those who pass by the Temple by train or bus can have a glimpse of Sai Baba and get an enlightened experience.
5) As ordained by Sainuthuni Sarath Babu, the Temple is made as simple as possible so that Sai Baba alone catches devotees attention.
6) In this Temple there will be NO PRIESTS, so all sections of devotees are allowed to do prayers on their own and even touch Baba's Idol.
7) The 16-ft dome, replica of the Gopuram in Shirdi has been designed in such a manner that Light disperses on all sides
of Baba's Idol so as to help to concentrate on the statue of Sai Baba.

See Pictures of this temple at

https://picasaweb.google.com/105578562840733665264/SHIRDISAIBABAINPELLURUANDHRAPRADESH?authuser=0&feat=directlink

SHIRDI SAI TRUST PAYS Rs.15 CRORE TO STATE GOVERNMENT FOR SHIRDI AIRPORT

2011-07-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

09th July`2011
The proposal by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust to give Rs.50 crore to the state government to construct an airport in Shirdi has divided its residents, politicians and devotees.
While locals are protesting the move, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust has gone ahead and given the first installment of Rs.15 crores to the Maharashtra State Government that will help construct the Airport @ Shirdi which is proposed to be built by the State government-owned Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation Limited at a cost of around Rs.300 crore.
The Trust has given the amount to the "Shirdi Viman Vikas Samiti",
created by the State Government to empower the Shirdi Temple Trust with the authority
to give financial assistance and grants to the boards, companies or institutions under the Maharashtra State control.At the start of the Airport Project, the Maharashtra State government had promised Rs.40 crore to acquire the land for the project, but gave only Rs.20 crore. Then the Shirdi Santhan was asked to give Rs.100 crore but on the opposition by Shirdi locals the amount was reduced to Rs.50 crore.
To be noted that all Airports from Tirupati to Kolhapur have been constructed with Government funding but Shirdi has not been fortunate enough.So, the Shirdi Locals/villagers, supported by various political parties, had opposed the decision of the SSST to make a donation of Rs.50 crore
towards the cost of the ongoing work on the Shirdi airport, by staging a sit-in-cum-hunger strike outside the Sai Temple, earlier on this issue.
However even now they are opposing this decision to pay a total of Rs.50 crore to build it and have threatened to intensify their agitation.They are protesting against the use of Donation Money, which comes from devotees, for funding the Airport project, which is the State Government's responsibility & ultimately the Governments agencies will make money from the Air services. They want the Shirdi Sansthan’s funds to be used for the welfare of poor people.

Former Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri.Praful Patel said that the Indian Airport Development Authority had offered to take up the Shirdi Airport Development Project as the Airport Authority had the requisite experience & funds for taking up the project but the State Government however entrusted the work to the Maharashtra Airport Development Company,which gave this work to another company in Andhra Pradesh and eventually now has ended up with paucity of funds.Also in July`2011 a Delhi-based entrepreneur and devotee of Sai Baba visited Shirdi and met the Sai Sansthan's office-bearers and offered to construct the airport on 'Built, Operate and Transfer' (B.O.T) basis.
This entrepreneur's company has already constructed airports in various parts of the country including Delhi.This entrepreneur is said to have met the Sai Sansthan’s Chairman Shri.Jayant Sasane
and asked him to arrange his meeting with the Maharashtra's Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to discuss the issue.

FAKE GOLD & DIAMOND STUDDED SHAWL OFFERED TO BABA @ SHIRDI -

2011-07-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

08th July`2011
In perhaps the First incident of its kind at the Sai Baba Shrine in Shirdi, a fake Gold & Diamond Shawl was offered to Sai Baba @ Shirdi.On Sunday 12th June`2011, a Sai devotee from Pune`Maharashtra had donated a Diamond Studded Shawl to Sai Baba @ Shirdi.The 2.5 metre-long Shawl was decorated with 1¼ Kg of pure Gold Mesh work apart from being studded with American Diamonds. It was quoted to be worth around Rs 25.20 lakh.But when the Shirdi Sansthan's Official Valuers did the Valuation of this Gold & Diamond Shawl for documentation purpose, it was found to be worth barely Rs.25,000/- and not Rs 25.20 lakh which was quoted by the devotee at the time of the Offering.Earlier it was claimed that there were 1250 gms of Golden thread & American Diamonds on the Shawl, but both the Gold and Diamonds have been found to be FAKE by the Sansthan's valuers.The Shirdi Sansthan immediately contacted the devotee in Pune who had offered this Shawl to Baba.
The devotee was shocked and became unsettled on learning about this fraud.
He had a talk with the Sansthan's Chairman & the Gold Valuers maintaining that he had no intention of cheating Sai Baba or the Sansthan.He claimed that he was probably duped by the Jeweler to whom he had assigned the task of decorating the Shawl with Gold and Diamonds.
And the Jeweler must have studded fake jewels and Gold into it.
To make his intention clear, on 08th July`2011 itself, this devotee from Pune sent
a demand draft of Rs 25.25 lakh to the Shirdi Temple Trust and has requested the Trust to return the fake Shawl to him
inorder to file a complaint with the cops against the Jeweler who made this Shawl.
The Sai Trust, which has received the DD, is yet to decide on whether to return the shawl to the devotee.
So, though at first it appeared that the Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi had been duped of Rs 25 lakh,
it turned out that the donator had himself been taken for a ride by the maker of the Gold & Diamond Shawl.

75kg SOLID SILVER IDOL OF SAI BABA @ TIRUPATI

2011-07-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

Sai Baba Temple in the Theertha Katta street in Tirupati`Andhra Pradesh, India

A Processional Deity of Shri Bhagawan Shirdi Sai Baba, made of Solid Silver, adorns the altar of
the Sai Baba Temple in the Theertha Katta street in Tirupati`Andhra Pradesh, India.
Weighing 75 kgs of pure quality Silver, this 2.5 feet tall Idol was made by as many as Ten Goldsmiths, specializing in preparing molded Idols of Deities.
This Silver Idol of Sai Baba will not only be worshipped along-with the presiding marble Idol of Sai Baba which is consecrated at the Sanctum Sanctorum, but is also expected to be taken out in a procession during festive occasions.

SHIRDI SAI BABA'S INNOCENT DEVOTEES BEING DECEIVED

2011-07-15T12:39:00.001-07:00

05th July`2011
Shirdi: In a significant move, the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust has cautioned the devotees
against the groups who claim to have articles used by Sai Baba during his lifetime.
Indicating to act tough against such people & groups, the Sansthan has informed to take up the issue with the government as well as the managements of Shirdi Sai temples across the country.
Besides this, the Trust also cautioned the devotees to not to get carried away by certain commercial ventures who claim to have ascertained the caste, age or place of birth of Shirdi Sai Baba.
The Sansthan is forced to take this step as some people are deceiving the innocent Sai devotees pretending that they have Sai Baba's Paduka (Foot Wears), Sataka (Wood Stick), Tamrel, Chimta, Kafani, original Photographs and Coins brought from Shirdi.Jayant Sasane, the chairman of the trust said that they are already in touch with the managements of the main Shirdi Sai temples
regarding this issue and besides this, the devotees also are advised to directly report such matters
to the Shri Saibaba Sansthan main office @ Shirdi by E-mail: saibaba@sai.org.in or saibaba@shrisaibabasansthan.org
Every devotee has his or her own experience with Baba but there are few anti social elements who just for the sake of commercial interests concoct stories about Baba. Such persons shall be strictly dealt with, Sasane added further.The Management of Shirdi Sai Temple`Chandigarh termed the initiative as a much awaited one. They said that the campaign should not only be limited to those who make false claims, but there should be action against those who even use Baba's photo for promoting their business ventures.

41 Kg SILVER OFFERED TO SAI BABA @ SAINTHAL DHAM`RAJASTHAN -

2011-07-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

24th June`2011

The Shri Sai Mandir Trust`Sainthal Offered 41 Kgs of Silver Items to Sai Baba @ the Sainthal Dham in Dausa`Rajasthan.The Silver Items Offered included a Silver Chatra (Canopy), Silver Throne, Silver Charan Padukas (Footwear) and a Silver Stick.Many Sai Devotees gathered at the Temple for this occasion.Sainthal is a Village in Dausa District, 55 kms from Jaipur City on NH-11 in Rajasthan`India.

PERCUSSIONIST SIVAMANI PLAYS DRUMS @ SHIRDI -

2011-07-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

18th June`2011

On 17th June`2011,

Percussionist Shri.Anandan Sivamani an ace Indian Drummer visited Shirdi.

After having the blessed darshan of Sai Baba @ the Samadhi Shrine, he visited Dwarkamai.

Later, just outside Dwarkamai itself, Sivamani played the Drums for approx half-an-hour,

while the devotees enthralled with his music, swayed & Danced along.

Shirdi Residents Shocked Over Double Murder

2011-06-16T00:02:00.000-07:00

Two bodies were found at gate no-3 of Shirdi Sai temple. Bodies are said to be of two youngsters-Praveen and Ranchit. The son of a manager of a Sai Baba employees society & a journalist's son have been found dead on Shirdi's Pimpalwadi Road. Both are in the 22-25 years age group. The families caught hold of a suspect, thrashed him and handed him over to the police. The suspect has revealed the names of 4 others involved. The murder took place on Tuesday night in mysterious circumstances, police said, without revealing details.The reason given is that because the fathers of these 2 guys had lodged a complain against the pick-pocketers gang in Shirdi..they took revenge in this manner. Their families are in shock and they refused to accept the bodies after post-mortem.

This news can be seen on Video at http://youtu.be/4dr4oWCd9bI and

http://youtu.be/O2__XBGa4Z0

1008 MANGOES OFFERED TO BABA @ SAI TEMPLE`SANTHAPET

2011-06-15T23:58:00.000-07:00

13th June`2011 On Sunday 12th June`2011, amidst religious fervour, Sai Devotees offered 1008 Mangoes to Baba @ the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Santhapet`Ongole, Andhra Pradesh in India.After performing the "Sahasranama pooja", the devotees offered 1,008 Mangoes to Baba with ‘Shradha & Saburi' (Faith and Patience).The Devotees majorly included a large number of women, seeking Baba's blessings for Children.Significance of offering Mangoes to Sai Baba: According to the Amra-Leela (4 Mango Miracle) mentioned in the Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 25, Shri.Damu Anna, who had no children, was blessed with 4 Sons & 4 Daughters after his wife ate the 4 Mangoes given to them by Sai Baba himself.Sai Baba stressed the need for Faith and Patience for those yearning for Progeny. He said: "Look at the Mango tree in blossom. If all the Flowers brought fruit, what a splendid crop it would be. But do they? Most fall off (either as flowers or as unripe fruits) by wind etc. Very few remain".

Donation of diamond-studded shawl to the Shirdi Saibaba Trust

2011-06-13T00:51:00.000-07:00

13th June 2011 An anonymous devotee from Pune today donated a diamond-studded shawl to the Shirdi Saibaba Trust.The 2.5 meter-long shawl, decorated with one kg of golden mesh work and American diamonds, is worth around Rs 25.20 lakhs.

See this news on Video at

http://youtu.be/SPZx2wV6iEw

http://youtu.be/H2gJeyQdigI

TURBAN SHAPED GOLD CROWN DONATED TO SAI BABA @ SHIRDI -

2011-06-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

03rd June`2011 On 03rd June`2011, a Surat`Gujarat city-based leading builder Mr.Sandip Nayak offered a Gold Crown worth Rs.17 lakh to Sai Baba at Shirdi. He was in Shirdi along with his family and friends to offer the Crown to Baba. Mr.Nayak visits Shirdi every month. The Crown made of 695 grams of Gold & weighing 710 grams is studded with Rubies & city polished Diamonds. Prepared by a local city jeweller, it is specially designed as per a few suggestions made by Mr.Nayak's family, who wanted the Crown to look like a "Pagdi" (Turban).Mr.Nayak said that a year back, he had promised Sai Baba that if he would come out of his struggling phase,he would offer a precious gift to him at his Shirdi Temple. He said that the Gold Crown, with its modern design looking magnificent when placed on Sai Baba, was not too big a gift but only a small token of his love for Baba. The wife of Mr.Nayak said that it was a once in a lifetime experience feeling so close to Baba especially when they performed Baba's Aarti at the Temple and that they would continue to offer gifts at the temple as they have deep faith in Sai Baba.

SHREE SAI BABA SANSTHAN TRUST`SHIRDI EMPOWERED WITH AUTHORITY TO GIVE GRANTS

2011-06-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

01st June`2011 The Maharashtra State Cabinet has cleared a proposal seeking amendment to the "Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Ordinance 2004", to empower India's second-richest Temple Trust with the Authority to give Financial Assistance & Grants to the Boards, Companies or Institutions falling under the control of the State. This Cabinet decision is spurred by the Government's requirement of funds to implement a slew of Infrastructure and Development projects at Shirdi, the holy land of one of the most revered Spiritual Gurus, Shri Sai Baba, whose devotees span across not only India, but all continents, and Baba's Temple is visited by lakhs of people throughout the year. The Temple falls under the jurisdiction of the State Department for Law & Justice (L&J) and is managed by the Trust, formed under the "Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Act 2004", which was amended by way of an Ordinance, the same year. According to the Shirdi Trust's Chief Accounts Officer, Shri.Hemant Jadhavar, 1) The Temple's annual Income through Donations, Rent and Interests, among others, is close to Rs.300 crore. 2) The Temple's Investments in Bank Deposits etc., are to the tune of Rs.529 crore. 3) The overall worth of the Temple's Property is nearly Rs.1,000 crore. Utilisation of the Trust funds is governed by section 21 of this Ordinance. As of now, the section does not empower the Trust to extend funds to State-controlled Boards, Companies or Institutions for purposes like Development Projects. Responding to a proposal moved by the L&J department, the State Cabinet has decided to amend section 21 of the Ordinance to facilitate the Trust to fund Infrastructure & Development Projects. In 2010, the Government had launched the construction of the Rs.118-crore phase I of the Shirdi Airport project over a 750-acre land at Kakdi village, about 10 km from Shirdi, but the same has been held up for nearly 6 months now owing to paucity of funds. The Government had urged the Shirdi Temple Trust to provide financial assistance of Rs.50 crore for the Airport project, which is being implemented by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company, a special purpose vehicle headed by the Chief Minister. It's not just the Airport, but funds are also required to operationalise a Rs.200-crore makeover plan for Shirdi, mainly through the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. The plan was cleared in July 2008 by the government, which had also announced formation of the Shirdi Development Authority to recast Shirdi Township on the lines of Tirupati. Things haven't progressed much on the makeover front, barring few steps like acquisition of land for the Ring Road project and some Road-widening works. Overall, the Plan mentioned projects like construction of a 6 km long Skywalk around Shirdi Temple, Footpaths, Pedestrian Pathways, a 10-level-high multi-layer Parking lot, Ring Road and a bypass road for the Traffic. Similarly, widening and reconstruction of around 25 km of road in and around Shirdi finds mention.

DEVOTEES CONNED IN THE NAME OF SRI SAI SEWA CHARITABLE TRUST

2011-06-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

25th May`2011 Raipur: Chhattisgarh`India: The cops in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh yesterday, apprehended a couple for deceiving people and conning them for money, in the name of Shirdi Sai Baba. This couple was running a fictitious Trust in the name of Shirdi Sai Baba called "Sri Sai Sewa Charitable Trust". They used to get as many people registered in this "Sri Sai Sewa Charitable Trust" for a processing fee of Rs.10,000/- each. In return the members were promised a Interest Free Loan of upto Rs.10 lakhs. Many gullible people became members in this fake Trust, simply going by Shirdi Sai Baba's name in the Trust. And as soon as this couple collected the processing fee, they would disappear.Until recently, one person smelled foul play & reported the case to the cops, who finally managed to apprehended this Con Couple after a search for 6 months. Cash in-tune of Lakhs, several Mobile phones and confidential papers were also seized from them. But the apprehended couple plead Not-Guilty saying that they were only working for a Man from Raipur`Chhattisgarh and they themselves did not have any understanding or knowledge of what this Trust was all about. They just followed the instructions given to them on phone from the Man in Raipur, and in-return they earned Rs.500 per new member they made.

SHIRDI'S WATER WOES: WATER PURIFICATION MACHINES DONATED -

2011-06-06T13:30:00.000-07:00

16th April`2011 During this year, approx 2 crore 70 lakh devotees have visited Shirdi, signaling a huge demand for pure Drinking Water. And this demand is bound to only grow further as about 50,000 people on an average visit the temple on week days & 1.5 lakh on weekends. While, on special occasions, this figure goes upto 3 lakhs. At present, packaged Drinking Water worth approx Rs.1 lakh is sold every day in Shirdi.So, to provide pure drinking water free of cost to all devotees coming to Shirdi for Baba's Darshan,an Andhra Pradesh based NGO, Raju Vegesna Foundation has recently, at a cost of approx Rs.30 lakhs,installed 22 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Purification Machines in the premises of the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi. About 30,000 devotees are quenching their thirst with this free pure drinking water every day. Also, as the number of devotees visiting Shirdi has doubled in the last 5 years, Shirdi & its nearby villages have developed very rapidly thus the problem of continuous water supply to Shirdi has become very crucial.For which, in early 2009, Raju Vegesna Foundation had approached the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust with a proposal to install a Water Purification plant in Shirdi so that the devotees visiting Shirdi will no longer have to buy bottled drinking Water. The Shirdi Sai Trust had given its approval for this proposal for which the Raju Vegesna Foundation also donated a Water Purification plant.In Today's date, the work on this Water Purification plant is almost done and is designed to cater to the large numbers of devotees visiting Shirdi on any given day together with the Sai Prasadalaya, Sai Baba Hospital, the Temple premises, Dharamshala, Common Toilet Complexes, Staff housing colonies and also two villages namely Kankuri & Pimpalgaon to which the Shirdi Sai Sansthan's own independent water supply and distribution system supplies Water.But the crucial issue of the continuous Water supply to this Water Purification Plant yet remains.The Shirdi Sai Sansthan Trust has not yet decided, whether the Water for this Plant should be sourced from the Nilwande Dam or the Dharna Dam.There are no rivers flowing in Shirdi nor any significant Water bodies such as Lakes & Ponds present, in and around Shirdi. Two Streams namely Lendi and Sira which used to flow near Sai Baba's Samadhi Temple have now dried up.So, the main source of Surface Water supply to Shirdi is from the Right Bank Canal of the Godavari river. But, this canal is very dangerous & uncertain as it bursts every year and can create a havoc if it burst in some remote area, as then it would take a lot of time to get it repaired.It is difficult to say as to when these canals on the Godavari river will be permanently repaired. Water for the domestic / irrigation needs of Shirdi town is met substantially by its ground water supply,but as for the needs of surface Water, it has not yet been decided whether the same should be facilitated from the uncertain Godavari canal or from the nearby Nilwande Dam or the Dharna Dam.And even if so, then arrangements have to made for the water to be conveyed from these Dams to Shirdifor which the old WTP & Distribution system has to be modified accordingly with stronger and increased capacity system.Also, the exact amount of how many litres of Water should be sourced from these Dams, has yet to be worked out.

PAKISTANI HINDU DEVOTEES VISIT SAI BABA TEMPLE @ SHIRDI

2011-06-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

16th May`2011 On Monday 16th May`2011, a delegation of nearly 135 Hindus from Pakistan, including 40 women and children, visited the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi and offered their prayers.These Pakistani Hindu pilgrims, with a one-month long visa in India,are here for paying visits to the famous Indian Hindu Temples.And as part of their tour, they visited the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi.The delegation, led by Manjhi Lohar and his nephew Prabhu, had reached India on 7th May`2011.They said that in-spite of them coming from the minority community in Pakistan, they did not have any problems with either the government or their compatriots and they enjoyed complete freedom there.After having Baba's Darshan, the Pilgrims said that they felt very happy-n-blessed and that even in Pakistan,the message of Baba "SAB KA MALIK EK" is highly acknowledged, so much so that, many have written it on their vehicle's too.They added that Shirdi Sai Baba is very much revered in Pakistan also.

Shirdi Sai Baba's First 23 Feet Statue in Andhra Pradesh

2011-06-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Shirdi Sai Baba's First 23 Feet Statue in Andhra Pradesh The "Sri Sai Sannidhi Temple" also known as "Mini Shirdi" is located in the Nemli (Village), Birkur (Mandal) 8 kms from Banswada in Nizamabad`Andhra Pradesh on the Banswada to Bodhan main road. in Andhra Pradesh`India. Constructed by an NRI Shri.Mohan Reddy Patlolla from New Jersey, this Sai Baba Temple is spread over an area of 2.5 acres of land. In 2008, the construction of this Temple had started while the Vigraha Pratishtha was done on 07th March`2009. Then, on 27th November`2009 a Navagraha Temple & Dwarakamai were also constructed while finally, a 50 kgs Silver Throne was made for the Idol Shirdi Sai Baba's. On 08th May`2011, the First 23 feet Statue in Andhra Pradesh of Sai Baba in a Cooking Posture was installed amidst colorful fountains in the 10,000 sqft garden at the Temple complex.

GOLD CROWN WORTH Rs 14.75 LAKH DONATED TO SAI BABA @ SHIRDI -

2011-06-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

On 12th May`2011, a Sai devotee from Bangalore Shri.T.G.Rangnath donated a 715 grams Gold Crown worth Rs 14.75 lakh to Sai Baba @ Shirdi. Shri.Rangnath & his family said that they had made this offering to Baba as Baba had fulfilled their wishes and so as an act of gratitude they offered this Gold Crown to him. They chose this day as it happened to be their son's Birthday.This Gold Crown is studded with 4 different colors of Diamonds together with a Diamond shaped "OM" in the centre. The Shirdi Sansthan Trustees Shri.Suresh Wable & Shri.Ashok Khambekar received the Golden Crown from Shri.T.G.Rangnath after Sai Baba's Noon Arati and gave a picture of Sai Baba with a Coconut as Prasad to him in return.

RS.6 CRORE GRANT SANCTIONED FOR TOURISM @ SHIRDI -

2011-06-06T11:53:00.001-07:00

12th May`2011 The Maharashtra State Government has sanctioned Rs.6 crore for developing Shirdi as a Pilgrim Tourism centre and has also asked the Shirdi Nagar Panchayat to prepare a plan for creating various tourism facilities at the Pilgrim Town. At the request of Shirdi's Local MP Bhausaheb Wakchaure, the Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has sanctioned Rs.6 crore for creating various tourism infrastructural facilities around Shirdi. During the BJP-led NDA government's regime, the then Deputy Prime Minister L.K.Advani had sanctioned a package of Rs.100 crores for development of Shirdi as a Pilgrim Centre,but only part of this fund was utilised for Water Supply & Drainage projects and most of the remaining amount was returned to the Centre.And so this time, the people of Shirdi don't want this sanction of Rs.6 crore also to end up in the same manner being returned to the Govt,and are hoping for it's full-n-proper utilization for Tourism infrastructural facilities around Shirdi.The State Government had also sanctioned Rs.2 crore,for the development of the Bhandardara Dam area in neighbouring Akole taluka as a tourism site. Most of this fund has not been spent to this day. Shri.Wakchaure has demanded that the fund be utilised for providing various tourism facilities. Wakchaure said that there was a large scope to develop pilgrim tourism in Shirdi Lok Sabha constituency, which also includes Agasti Ashram on the bank of the Pravara river and the town of Newase in Ahmednagar District,where Sant Dnyaneshwar penned 'Dnyaneshwari'.

SHIRDI SAI BABA SANSTHAN TRUST TO OPT FOR IPR

2011-06-06T11:46:00.000-07:00

26th April`2011 The Sai Baba Sansthan at Shirdi and other high-profile religious trusts like the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam, and Lalbaugcha Raja of Mumbai, temple trusts which receive hundreds of crores of rupees as donation every year, are opting for Intellectual Property Rights. These Temples and their Deities have lakhs of devotees and so also attract unscrupulous elements. Fake names identical to the original Trusts are formed which demand donations, thus cheating the devotees. The Cash-rich Trusts & Mandals use these donations to invest in Educational institutes, Hospitals and provide Food to the needy.When these activities garner popularity, they attract more funds. People cheating Sai devotees using Sai Baba's name was an eye-opener for the Sai Baba Sansthan`Shirdi Trust, which has a Rs 1,000-crore annual turnover. Located in Ahmednagar district, the Shirdi Trust receives annual donations of around Rs 300-Rs 400 crore. The funds are used for social activities and facilities for visitors. Some 5 years ago, the Trustees noticed incidents of fake organizations with a similar name to Sai Baba Sansthan demanding donations in lakhs of rupees from devotees. So, they approached the police as well as the court. But the fake organizations were only a nuisance for the Trust and an embarrassment to the devotees. They could not be traced as most documents they provided were fake. So to create awareness & protect the devotees from such frauds the only way out was to take Legal protection. The awareness programme was immediately initiated and various teams were formed to educate Sai Baba's followers. The Shirdi Trust also decided to seek Intellectual Property cover with the help of Pune-based Great Mission Group Consultancy. This legal protection will prohibit any group from using a name similar to Sai Baba Sansthan`Shirdi. Except for the Shirdi Trust, nobody can use the same name for any activity now. The IPR freezes your name and provides legal protection. The offender can be penalized in terms of heavy fines. The IPR was introduced mainly for the Legal support for commercial purpose, but with increased flow of funds to these Temple Trusts, the IPR's cover was extended to these Trusts as well. There are many other religious trusts in the state that face similar problems. If the well-known trusts set an IPR example, other trusts will avail of such legal cover. A Team is also planning such meetings in Europe & United Kingdom with the devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba to educate them about the trust and the right way to make donations.

DEVOTEES CONNED IN THE NAME OF SRI SAI SEWA CHARITABLE TRUST -

2011-06-06T11:42:00.001-07:00

25th May`2011 Raipur: Chhattisgarh`India: The cops in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh yesterday, apprehended a couple for deceiving people and conning them for money, in the name of Shirdi Sai Baba. This couple was running a fictitious Trust in the name of Shirdi Sai Baba called "Sri Sai Sewa Charitable Trust". They used to get as many people registered in this "Sri Sai Sewa Charitable Trust" for a processing fee of Rs.10,000/- each. In return the members were promised a Interest Free Loan of upto Rs.10 lakhs. Many gullible people became members in this fake Trust, simply going by Shirdi Sai Baba's name in the Trust. And as soon as this couple collected the processing fee, they would disappear. Until recently, one person smelled foul play & reported the case to the cops, who finally managed to apprehended this Con Couple after a search for 6 months. Cash in-tune of Lakhs, several Mobile phones and confidential papers were also seized from them. But the apprehended couple plead Not-Guilty saying that they were only working for a Man from Raipur`Chhattisgarh and they themselves did not have any understanding or knowledge of what this Trust was all about. They just followed the instructions given to them on phone from the Man in Raipur, and in-return they earned Rs.500 per new member they made.

SHIRDI BANDH !!! IN PROTEST OF SAI TRUST FUNDING SHIRDI AIRPORT

2011-06-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

20th April`2011 The Maharashtra State Government has sought financial assistance of Rs 50 crore from the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust for the completion of the Shirdi airport. A similar request on an earlier occasion had caught flak from locals who objected to the use of funds raised by the Temple Trust for the facility. The protesters had even held a Shirdi Bandh last August. The Sai Temple Trust, which resolved to contribute towards the Airport's development in 2008, had to withhold its decision. The project is now being affected due to a paucity of funds. Sasane however conceded that the airport project would boost religious tourism in and around Shirdi and that the region's industrial development should go hand-in-hand with the airport project to boost employment.Sai Trust's Chairman Shri.Jayant Sasane said that a decision would be taken after consulting the Law & Judiciary department. But to protest this move of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust`Shirdi to donate half a billion rupees for the proposed Shirdi airport, around 80 villagers on Wednesday 20th April`2011 went on an indefinite hunger strike and parts of Shirdi observed a shutdown. The villagers, united under different groups, have staged a sit-in-cum-hunger strike outside the Sai Baba Temple.Supported by various political parties like the Nationalist Congress Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena, they have opposed the decision of the SSST to make a donation of Rs.50 crore towards the cost of the ongoing work on the Shirdi airport coming up at Kakdi Village, on the outskirts of the town. The existing Board of Trustees came into being 23rd Aug`2004, and the government gave it two extensions, the present extended tenure will end in 2013. The groups opposing the SSST's move have claimed that the Board of Trustees is allegedly misusing its powers in making such a huge financial commitment for the airport project. In the meeting held by protesting opposition party in Shirdi, the following resolutions were passed: 1) Shirdi Sansthan should not give Rs.50 crores to Kakdi (Shirdi) Airport. 2) Present board of Trustees should be dissolved. 3) In the new board of Trustees locals should be given 50% representation. 4) An Inquiry into the Management of the present board of Trustees by a retired Judge. 5) Shirdi Development Board should be dissolved.While, at the same time, the present ruling party in Shirdi Muncipality held another meeting, whereina resolution was passed by the Shirdi Sansthan to accept the Govt's demand of Rs.50 crores for the Shirdi Airport. Another resolution congratulating Shirdi Sansthan on their generous contribution of Rs.62 crores to construct roads in Shirdi,was also passed.Denying the villagers' claims, an official spokesman for the SSST said the proposal for making the donation has not yet been finalised. "Moreover, it will be another two years before the airport will be ready. We will take a decision on the issue as and when required," the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, several parts of Shirdi wore a deserted look with shops and establishments and educational institutions remaining closed in view of the shutdown. The shutdown was nearly 70% success and peaceful and there are no reports of any untoward incident from anywhere in the town. The Sai Baba temple however remained open.-

COUNTER PROTEST TO SHIRDI BANDH -

21st April`2011

To counter the Shirdi Bandh called by the opposing political parties, on Thursday 21st April`2011,a few members of Shirdi's ruling Municipal party too went on a hunger strike outside the Maruti temple @ Shirdi. They alleged that the Shirdi Bandh was all politically motivated and that the Shirdi Sai Sansthan had in the past 7 years done a lot for Shirdi. The 'Shri Sainath' Super Speciality Hospital does the maximum Heart Operations in India which has proved very beneficial for the poor.Plus the Sai Sansthan operated "Prasadalaya" feeds around 30,000 to 40,000 people everyday at a very subsidized rate of Rs.10 per person.The work on the Beautification of Shirdi has started, Proper Roads are being made and the work of the Water Purification plant is almost done which will make clean drinking water available to pilgrims free of cost at the prasadalaya, hospital, temple premises and the dharamshala.

VIDEO

"DON'T COMMERCIALIZE SHIRDI" - FELICITATED MANOJ KUMAR

2011-06-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

13th April`2011

Veteran Actor & Producer Shri.Manoj Kumar Goswami's movie “Shirdi Ke Sai Baba” which was released on 01st January`1977 has totally changed the image of Shirdi and made it what it is today by spreading its name all across the world. So, on 15th May`2006, the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust`Shirdi honored Shri.Manoj Kumar by renaming the "Pimpalwadi Road" in Shirdi, as "Manojkumar Goswami Road". This kilometer long "Pimpalwadi Road" is the only road that leads to the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. The Keystone of his name was unveiled by the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri.Vilasrao Deshmukh. Declaring Shri.Manoj Kumar as the Architect of Modern Shirdi, the Shirdi Sai Sansthan had later felicitated him. And now, on 12th April`2011,to show their gratitude towards Shri.Manoj Kumar, the Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan honored him again during the Centenary year of Shri Ram Navami Celebrations @ Shirdi.In his speech, Shri.Manoj Kumar said that it was really an incredible moment that this Ram Navami Celebrations @ Shirdi,which was started by Sai Baba himself, has completed a 100 years !!!He added that he has been coming to Shirdi for the last 53 years and was amazed by the progress Shirdi had made since then.He went on to say that it was only because of Sai Baba's blessings that he could complete the work on his movie "Shirdi Ke Sai Baba". Finally, with due respect to the people of Shirdi, Shri.Manoj Kumar asked for forgiveness while requesting them to maintain the Sacredness of Baba's Shirdi and not to turn it into a Commercial place.While getting nostalgic about his memories of Shirdi, Shri.Mr.Manoj Kumar said that he still remembers the then Dhoti & Feta (turban) clad people of Shirdi. In those days there was no other mode of transportation in Shirdi other than a Bullock cart. There were no facilities of Lodging also and how any devotee could have a peaceful Darshan of Sai Baba in the Samadhi Shrine. He mentioned that during one of his visits to Shirdi in those days, he & his friend had bought, from a small shop, two Sai Baba Rings for 25 paise which they then gifted to each other. Even today Shri.Manoj Kumar still wears that ring.About his movie “Shirdi Ke Sai Baba” Shri.Manoj Kumar said that Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi`Andhra Pradesh, India had sent Shri.Chandulal Shah to him as Sathya Sai Baba had expressed his desire for a movie to be made on the Life & Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba.With the blessings of the almighty, the movie was made in just 2 months time flat. None of the actors took any money for acting in it and all the money which was earned from this movie was distributed among various charitable organizations by Sarla Charitable Trust. Shri.Manoj Kumar said that it is very important for all of us to always remember that Baba will always be us if we help others.When he donated money to the Shirdi Sai Sansthan's Hospital to start an ICU unit 25 years ago, he had done so with a pure intention of helping the needy & poor as per Baba’s guidance. That’s why he requested the people of Shirdi also to always help others without having any commercial angle to it. He said that he himself was an Homeopathy Doctor & even today doesn't charge any fees from anyone.- More Valuable than an Oscar - Shri.Manoj Kumar said that by naming a whole stretch of road in Shirdi in his name was more precious to him than winning an Oscar. He thanked the Shirdi Sai Sansthan & local people of Shirdi for giving this honor & said that for an 73 year old actor like him, this was the luckiest day of his life.

Sai Bhajan Sandhya at Sai Temple, Sector 29-A, Chandigarh on 24th feb 2011 by Rana Gill

2011-04-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

Sai Bhajan Sandhya organised by Shri Sai Samaj, Chandigarh at Sai Temple: Sector 29-A in Chandigarh on February 24, 2011. Visit www.saiterehazaaronnaam.com 4 more videos. Contact Rana Gill for Sai Bhajan Sandhya in ur house or temple @ 604 537 4199 (CANADA)

-- SHRI RAM NAVAMI`2011 --CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS @ SHIRDI

2011-04-14T23:48:00.000-07:00

A 100 years back, in 1911 Shri Ram Navami was celebrated for the first time in Shirdi by Sai Baba himself. And now in 2011, to commemorate the Centenary year of Shri Ram Navami Celebrations @ Shirdi, a 100 Palki Processions of Sai Baba reached Shirdi from all over India. All the streets in Shirdi were filled with Baba's Palki processions. Lakhs of Devotees carried Sai Baba's Palki's all the way from several places in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh & Punjab. All walked for days and days all the way from Mumbai to Shirdi and some walked bare-foot all the way in the Padh-yatra. Devotees smeared with Gulal (Pink Color powder) danced all the way chanting Baba's name to the beats of the drums & claps. Two Padh Yatra groups from Mumbai consisting of only ladies also reached Shirdi carrying Baba's Palki. 25 Non-resident Indians from Dubai & a few from USA also walked all the way from Mumbai to Shirdi with Baba's Palki processions. A few devotees from Shirdi ran carrying a "Sai Jyot" (Burning Torch) all the way from Dhupkheda village to Shirdi for Ram Navami. Mumbai's Sai Devotee Shri.Manoj Mhatre donated a 920 gram Gold Crown worth Rs.21 lakhs. This crown studded with Diamonds in a "Om" shape was placed on Baba head during the Arati. On 12th April`2011, Ram Navami day around 4 lakh devotees reached Shirdi to have Baba's darshan and offer their love to him. Shirdi Sansthan had to use additional man-power to coordinate the crowds. Cine actor Shri.Manoj Kumar, Shri.Prem Sagar (Son of Shri.Ramanand Sagar), Shri.Sudhir Dalvi ( Played the role of Sai Baba in Shirdi Ke Sai Baba) and Shri.Subhash Rao Butty (Grandson of Shri.Gopalrao Butty) also came to Shirdi for Baba's darshan and were felicitated by the trustees for their efforts to spread the name of Sai Baba's Shirdi nationally & internationally. Several other Bollywood personalities & Celebrities too reached Shirdi on Ramnavami. In the Temple premises near the Main Entrance of the Temple, a beautiful Statue of Sai Baba was made by Mumbai's Dwarkamai Mandal, who were later felicitated by the Sai Sansthan.

To see the Pictures of Ramnavami festival 2011 in Shirdi go to https://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/new/picturegallery/2011/RamNavami2011Gallery/index.html

GOA TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION TO GOAN PILGRIMS @ SHIRDI

2011-04-14T23:45:00.001-07:00

09th April`2011 PANAJI: Under its new "Scheme for establishing a Facilitation Centre at the place of Pilgrimage outside Goa`2011", the State Government endeavors to provide Goan pilgrims decent accommodation at popular pilgrimage sites outside Goa's borders. "A pilgrimage involves visiting various sacred structures like churches, temples, mosques etc, generally for worship or meditation. India possesses such innumerable sites as various religions are not bound to any single holy centre. A large number of pilgrims from Goa visit various religious places like Shirdi, Pandharpur, Kuravpur, Vailankani, Ajmer etc," the scheme states. Pointing out that pilgrims from Goa find it extremely difficult to find accommodation in these places, especially during the festive season, the State's new Scheme aims at providing financial support for establishing facilitation centres at places of pilgrimage outside Goa frequently visited by Goan pilgrims. Under the Scheme, a one-time grant will be released to registered organizations/institutions in Goa to take the initiative and build or provide facilitation centers with friendly and conducive accommodation at various places of pilgrimage frequently visited by Goans for religious purposes. The government will contribute 75% of the cost of the project or a maximum of 25 lakh, or whichever is less for the purpose. The grantee institution will have to decide the procedure/guidelines regarding the accommodation, the room charges etc in consultation with the Goa government. These guidelines and charges will have to be accordingly displayed at the facilitation centre by the institutions. The State will constitute a selection committee for the purpose of scrutiny of the proposals received under the scheme, their selection and recommendation of the release of the grant for the institutions.

GUDI PADWA`2011 CELEBRATED @ SHIRDI

2011-04-10T02:48:00.000-07:00

04th April`2011 A Sai Devotee from Kolkata Shri.Ashok Jaiswal beautifully decorated the Samadhi Mandir with flowers. Two Sai Devotees Shri.Mukesh Gupta from Delhi and Shri.Amit Bajaj from Bangalore donated two Tata Winger Ambulances to Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi on the occasion of Gudi Padwa. ---- Gudi Padwa (Marathi New Year) is the first Holy festival which marks the beginning of the New Year for the Hindus. It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. i.e. first day after new moon day (Amavasya). A Gudi is also erected on this occasion giving this festival its name. It is known as Gudi Padwa (in Maharashtra), Ugadi (in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh). In other parts of country it is celebrated during Nau Roz (Kashmir), Baisakhi (Punjab), Cheti Chand (Sindhi), Naba Barsha (Bengal), Goru Bihu (Assam), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Vishu (Kerala). On this very day Lord Brahma created the Universe and the waves consisting of the fire principle (Tej tatva) and the creative Prajapati waves are activated on a large scale. The Divine consciousness emanating during sunrise, absorbed at that time lasts longer. This consciousness is stored in the body cells and is used as required. Hence the Gudi should be worshipped within 5-10 minutes after sunrise. Therefore for Hindus, this day carries special importance. The day is celebrated with an auspicious bath, followed by decorating the doorway with a 'toran', performing ritualistic worship and hoisting the Gudi. This festival was observed by Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan on 04th April`2011. On this auspicious occasion, Chief Executive Officer of Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shri.Kishore More & Smt.Manjushri More performed Gudi Pooja and also performed Samadhi Pooja and Pada Pooja at Samadhi Mandir.

SHIRDI AIRPORT WORK HALTED HALFWAY !!!

2011-04-10T02:43:00.000-07:00

05th April`2011 Since, the treasury of Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation is gone empty; the construction work of Shirdi Airport has been halted half way only. The construction company has yet to pay bills more than Rs.30 crore. The senior officials of company are demanding that Sai Sansthan should pay Rs.50 crore immediately. Unfortunately this Corporation whose President is the Chief Minister of State doesn’t have its own funds. This company was expecting to finish this project of Rs.325 crore rupees, by taking some money from the Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan and the balance as donations from Sai devotees. The State Government had given approx Rs.35 crore which were used to acquire approx 750 acre land in Kakadi village. The company still needs 150 acre more land. Actually the Central Government’s “Airport Authority of India” was ready to construct this airport. In fact, the Aviation Minister Shri.Praful Patel had earlier declared the same. But finally the contract was given to one company in Andhra Pradesh who has already spent about Rs.30-40 crores on this work, and now the Company's Chief Officer is demanding Rs.50 crore from the Shirdi Sai Sansthan. - NO GUARANTEE ABOUT DONATIONS - Company officials are not sure about the world wide donations they could collect, hence they have opted an easy way out of asking for the remaining funds from the Shirdi Sai Sansthan who would easily manage to collect it if they asked the devotees to donate for this cause. Therefore, the alternative which is being discussed is that the Sai Sansthan should collect the funds and ultimately take the ownership of the Airport. But the opinion of the people is that the State Government should give the required funds to complete the work on the Airport. - GOVERNMENT HAS NOT MADE ANY FINANCIAL PROVISIONS - It is becoming very difficult to manage this huge expense of Rs.325 crores by way of donations. On one hand the Government has made no provision for the same in the Budget and on the other hand, Sai Devotees & the Gram Udyog people don't want the Sansthan to use funds from the Sansthan’s Treasury, to protest which, earlier too they were out on the streets in protest. This issue has already been taken up many times & decision about the new demand of Rs.50 crores from Sansthan is awaited.

COOL DARSHAN OF SAI BABA @ SHIRDI

2011-04-10T02:41:00.000-07:00

28th March`2011 Be it Scorching Hot, Drenched Rainy or Freezing Cold, irrespective of the weather, on an average, around 50,000 people visit the Sai Baba Temple @ Shirdi every day and on weekends, the figure touches approximately 70,000. During Summers the temperature in Shirdi often exceeds 45 degree Celsius. Thus, keeping in mind the relentless summers @ Shirdi and in a bid to make the pilgrimage at Shirdi's Sai Baba Temple a more comfortable experience, the Shirdi Sai Sansthan Trust will be installing Air-Conditioners inside the entire Temple within the next three months. Shri.Jayant Sasane, President of the Trust said that they had completed the entire survey and the cost of Air-Conditioning the Temple's interior would come around approximately Rs 3.5 crore. The Sai Trust wants to complete this project as soon as possible, so as to provide relief to devotees in summer and ventilate the Shrine in a better manner. When asked about the need of having such Commercial facilities in & around the Temple town, the chief executive officer of Shirdi Sai Trust Shri.Kishore More said, “There are no facilities for entertainment in Shirdi. The amphitheatre, IMAX theatre will be a centre of attraction for visitors.” He added that the amphitheatre would have a seating capacity for 5,000 people. There will be three water screens for the Laser shows. "Sai Shrushti" - another project worth Rs.50 crore, depicting Sai Baba's life is coming up on a 30-acre plot. It has been designed by director of the trust Shri.Nitin Desai. The Shrusthi village will have scenes depicting Sai Baba's life in Shirdi.

Holi Celebrations`2011

2011-04-10T02:35:00.000-07:00

Holi Celebrations`2011 began @ Shirdi with a pooja in the Sai Baba Temple premises. The chief executive officer of Shirdi Sai Trust Shri.Kishore More & his wife Smt.Manjushree More performed the pooja done in the supervision of the temple priests. Shri.Jayant S Sasane, the chairman of Shirdi Sai Sansthan greeted the devotees on Holi. He has urged the visiting devotees to co-operate with the Temple staff on duty. Shri.Ashok Khambekar, the president of Shirdi Nagar panchayat and a trustee of Shirdi Sai Sansthan also extended Holi greetings to all the Sai Devotees. He urged the devotees to maintain decorum in the premises. On the occasion of Rangapanchmi Festival on 24th March 2011, a Rath Yatra of Sai Baba taken around the Shirdi village.

Sai Baba's Aarti's Direct from Shirdi LIVE on Tv !!!

2011-04-10T00:31:00.001-07:00

08th March`2011 The Shirdi Sai Baba Trust has given permission to Satellite TV Channel – “Sadhna TV” to telecast Live the Daily Four Aarti's of Sai Baba direct form Shirdi. This is for the First time the Shirdi Sai Baba Trust has given such rights to any TV Channel of National Level. The Aarti's and their telecast timings: 1) Kakad Aarti - 04:15 Am IST Daily 2) Madhyan Aarti - 12:00 Noon IST Daily 3) Dhoop Aarti - 06:30 Pm IST Daily 4) Shej Aarti - 10:30 Pm IST Daily

108 ARROWS PIERCED IN HIM, DEVOTEE WALKS FROM CHENNAI TO SHIRDI !!!

2011-04-10T00:28:00.000-07:00

04th March`2011 Sai Baba's Devotees show their love-n-Devotion for Baba in many different ways. Some even go to the extent of undergoing excruciating pains to do so. Recently, to pay obeisance to Sai Baba, Shri.Chandra Mohan, a Sai Devotee from Chennai walked all the way from Chennai to Shirdi with 108 Iron Arrows pierced in his body !!! Since the last 30 years, Shri.Chandra Mohan has been Walking all the way from Chennai to Shirdi every year ! But this year he wanted to do something different and special, so he got his body pierced with 108 sharp Arrows. Weighing around 35 kilograms these 108 Iron Arrows remained pierced in his body during his entire 30 days trip from Chennai to Shirdi. And as soon as he entered the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Sai Temple, all the other devotees present there, amazed on seeing such a devotion began shouting "Shri Sachidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jay", in praise of Lord Sai Baba. Shri.Chandra Mohan said that all the Pain of his Journey with the Arrows pierced in him disappeared and was filled with as much Joy and Love, on very sight of Sai Baba in the Samadhi Shrine.

YOURS POLITICALLY,SHRI SAI BABA SANSTHAN TRUST`SHIRDI !

2011-04-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

04th March`2011 SHIRDI: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which has been vying for the coveted post of the Chairman of the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Trust for a long time, has now offered to the Congress to exchange the post with that of the Chairman of the Mumbai-based Siddhivinayak Temple Trust. NCP State President and former Minister Madhukar Pichad, who visited Shirdi for Baba's Darshan on Tuesday, said that his party would soon meet Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to demand the post of the Shirdi Temple Trust's Chief for an NCP functionary and to offer the Mumbai-based Siddhivinayak Temple Trust's Chief's post to the Congress party. Pichad said that the demand to exchange the two posts will be made at the meeting of the coordination committee of the Congress and the NCP. Chavan is the president of this committee. Pichad said that he has already discussed the issue with the NCP's National President and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. He said that Pawar has suggested that the name of the new Chairman and other Trustees of the ShrI Sai Baba Sansthan Trust may be finalised after discussion with deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Pichad said that the NCP's list for the Shirdi Temple Trust's posts would be soon sent to the NCP's National President. The Board of Trustees of the Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust was appointed with approval of both the Congress and the NCP 6 years back. The Temple Trust's constitution was also amended in the State Legislature for this purpose and the Board of Trustees was appointed for a term of three years. However, the same board, headed by Congress party's former MLA Jayant Sasane, has been given extension for the past three years, much to the chagrin of the local NCP leaders. The present Board of Trustees includes, agriculture Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe of the Congress and Shankarrao Kolhe of the NCP. A large number of leaders belonging to both the Congress and NCP have been seeking reconstitution of the board of trustees but without any success.

PAPARAZZI IN BABA'S SAMADHI SHRINE MIFFS CELEBS @ SHIRDI

2011-04-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

03rd March 2011 Bollywood Actress Preity Zinta, a Sai Devotee made a pilgrimage to Shirdi on 02nd March`2011 but instead of spiritual rejuvenation, all she found was the chaos created by the Media. With the paparazzi breathing down her neck all the time, Preity couldn’t pray properly, much to her irritation. But not the one to mince words, she’s now blaming the media for her spoiled trip. She wanted her privacy with the Almighty. She organized a VIP darshan to be blessed by Sai Baba. But she was soon surrounded by the blinding lights of the paparazzi which really upset her very very much. She put up her right hand very close to the cameras so that she could block the view. The cameramen were shocked. But then even the actress was allegedly pushed around by the media, so much so that she folded her hands and begged them to leave her alone, following which she covered her face fully with a dupatta (scarf) and began praying, ignoring the paparazzi. But yet the flashbulbs did not stop. Preity, however, refused to oblige the reporters and continued her darshan with her dupatta firmly over her head. On her return from Shirdi, Preity Tweeted: “Good morning! Went to Shirdi yesterday and came back with memories of media pushing me instead of the serene face & energy of Sai Baba. “In the rut to make anything news, have we forgotten to respect god and someone's genuine devotion? I fold my hands to the media & request dem 2 Respect us & respect GOD! Not every celebrity goes 2 a temple 4 Tamasha! Some genuinely go 2 pray & 2 disturb them then is BAD KARMA,” she vented out her displeasure. The actress also rued the commercialization of the places of worship. “I wonder why temples have become so commercial? Why a Temple Trustee's urge to be photographed with a celebrity is entertained by media? In front of god, we bare ourselves and look to purify our soul. Instead of feeling uplifted I came back feeling sad & deprived from Shirdi,” Preity wrote. However, Preity does see a silver lining in her failed pilgrimage. “Maybe this experience was his (Sai Baba’s) way of taking away all the negativity; & 4 the future I have brought his statue home from Shirdi ! :-)” she posted. Preity Zinta has returned with unpleasant memories of being pushed by the media in the pilgrim town. ---------------------------------------- Also to be noted that in May`2010 another Celebrity Hrithik Roshan who is known in the industry for his cool temper found it hard to control his anger at media’s intrusion at the Sai Baba's Samadhi Shrine in Shirdi. He said that it took effort to Pray with 30 media cameras feeding off every private moment. He tried to feel peace but couldn't.

BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC BAGS @ SHIRDI

2011-04-09T23:32:00.000-07:00

09th Feb`2011 Everyday thousands of Ladoo Prasad Packets and other items are sold at Shirdi. Most of these Packets / small carry bags are all made of "Plastic" - which happens to be one of the most toxic pollutants present today. So, to minimise the environmental and health impact of plastic waste in Shirdi, the Sai Baba Temple at Shirdi has invited proposals from manufacturers of Biodegradable bags. These truly environment friendly bags will be made of biodegradable material derived from agricultural waste. These Plastic bags will get decomposed in 180 days after coming in contact with the Soil because the micro-organisms present in the soil will be able to break down 95% of the plastic bag material into carbon, oxygen & non-toxic biomass. The 30-micron thick material does not get affected by ghee, oil or moisture. Incidentally, some other temples have also shown interest in going for these environment-friendly Biodegradable products. Leading the way are the famous laddoos of Tirupati, which will now also be wrapped and distributed in biodegradable carry covers. Source: http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com

SHIRDI FACELIFT TO BE FUNDED BY 3-STAR HOTELS ?

2011-04-09T23:28:00.000-07:00

22nd Feb`2011 Strapped for cash, the Maharashtra state-run Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has come up with an ingenious scheme to fund Infrastructure projects in Shirdi. It will join hands with a private developer to construct 3-star Hotels for tourists and pilgrims in the temple town. The Money,thus, generated will be pumped into Infrastructure Projects in Shirdi, such as: a) 2-kms long Skywalk. b) Podcars. c) Travelators to ferry devotees to the Shrine. d) 3-kms of Footpath around Shirdi. e) Six Underpass. f) Nine Big Gardens. g) Widening of the 1.5-km stretch that passes through Shirdi. h) Two Multi Level Car Parks. MSRDC's chief engineer Subhash Nage said, "The Shirdi Sai Sansthan Trust is giving us two plots at Shirdi, we will enter into a joint-venture with a private developer who will construct 3-star Hotels on two plots along with a Multi-level Car park. The Hotel will be operated by the developer for a certain number of years as specified in the contract and will be handed over to the Temple Trust after the lease period is over.'' The total cost of this project is estimated to be around Rs.250 crore, to fund which the MSRDC usually collects toll from vehicles. But Shirdi being a pilgrim town and visited by lakhs of people every week, some of them quite poor, if a toll system is started, there will be large scale protests. Hence, MSRDC has decided to raise funds by alternative means. Currently,the infrastructure at Shirdi is very poor. On Weekends and Thursdays, the crowd swells up to 6-lakh, leaving the authorities praying even harder to god that nothing untoward, such as a stampede happens. The movement of devotees will get smoother once the infrastructure comes up, the official added. The Minister for PWD (Undertakings) Shri.Jaidutt Kshirasagar said that they have also received requests from many Corporates & Banks who are willing to fund these Infrastructure Projects in Shirdi, if they were given the advertisement rights of the Skywalks & other projects. The MSRDC and the Shirdi Sai Sansthan Trust is going to float a tender soon for one of the 3-star Hotels. Shirdi Sai Sansthan Trust chairperson Shri.Jayant Sasane said "We are in discussion with the MSRDC. The final modalities are being worked out." Source: http://www.mumbaimirror.com

24k GOLD CROWN DONATED TO SAI BABA @ SHIRDI

2011-04-09T23:22:00.000-07:00

10th Feb`2011 For a third time in the past 6 months, Sai Baba has been offered a Gold Crown @ Shirdi. Shri.Sudarshan Punraj, a Sai devotee from Hyderabad`A.P donated a 24-carat Gold Crown to Sai Baba @ Shirdi. Weighing 735 grams and worth 10 lakh 48 thousand 50 rupees, this Crown has a Diamond studded "OM" symbol at the center apart from Rubies and Emeralds.

MAN ASSAULTED OUTSIDE THE SAI BABA TEMPLE @ SHIRDI

2011-04-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

04th Feb`2011 Late night around 10:00 pm on Thursday 03rd Feb`2011, just outside the VIP Entrance (Gate No.1) of the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, a man from Malegaon was assaulted with knives by five unidentified assailants who had come in a rickshaw. The cause for this lethal attack is not yet known but the cops suspect the victim to be a member of some criminal gang and so was attacked by his rivals, due to some enmity in-between them. But in-spite of a few police-men on duty at the Temple Gate, the assailants managed to flee from the scene. This incident resulted in a chaos amongst the devotees, who had queued up there for the morning Kakad Aarti, as they ran hither thither from the scene in fear, confused as to what had happened. The Canteen of the Shirdi Sansthan was too shut down for 3 hours following this incident. The victim, in a critical state & covered all over with blood was then immediately admitted to the Shirdi Sai Sansthan's hospital. The police arrived at the scene to make further investigations to ascertain the identity & the motive of the assailants. While the Shirdi Sai Sansthan said that this was indeed a very sad & tragic incident. It has to be noted that apart from Shirdi's local police, the Central Government, owing to the terror threats looming over the Sai Temple, had provided a force of 100 police-men only for the Sai Temples Outer Security. And now, this incident has raised many a questions & doubts on the Security of the Temple and the safety of the lakhs of devotees who come to Shirdi for Baba's Darshan.

TELEVISION ACTRESS'S OUTFIT SPARKS ANGER IN SHIRDI

2011-04-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

03rd Feb`2011 On Wednesday 02nd Feb`2011, when television actress Priyadarshini Singh, a Sai Devotee visited Shirdi to seek Baba's Blessings, many devotees raised objections to the low-neck outfit she was wearing at the time of darshan inside Baba's Samadhi Shrine. They said that be it Celebrities or anyone, all should wear proper decent clothes while visiting the temple for Baba's Darshan. After having Baba's darshan when Priyadarshini came out of the temple, she was asked as to what she had to say on the objections being raised by devotees as regarding the outfit she was wearing inside the Samadhi Shrine. To which Priyadarshini replied that devotion comes from inside one's heart and not from the clothes outside. And, having full Faith in one's Heart is all that counts as even if she was fully clad but had no Faith inside her heart, it would be of no use coming for Baba's darshan as Baba only saw the purity inside his devotees Heart's.

ISLAND TEMPLE OF SHIRDI SAI BABA @ DAMOH`MADHYA PRADESH

2011-04-09T23:03:00.000-07:00

On Thursday 20th Jan`2011 morning, the Prana Pratishta of Shirdi Sai Baba's Idol was carried out in the newly built Sai Temple at the provincial Bela-tal (Tributary of Dhasan River) Island in Damoh District of Madhya Pradesh`India, Before Baba's Prana Pratishta was done, an "Akhand Ramayan Paath, Sunderkand Paath / Hanuman Chalisa & Srimad Bhagavad Gita Purana Paath" was completed and a procession of Baba's Idol was also taken out from the Bundabahu Temple. Owing to the beautiful location of this Sai Baba Temple on an Island, there is a huge rush of devotees,who now have to make an application in advance to visit this Sai Temple. And only when their turn comes, then can they visit this Island Temple for Baba's Darshan.

Sai Sampoorna Darshan in Hindi [Must Watch]

2011-04-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

Plz mute the volume of Sai radio and Samadhi mandir live telecast before watching this. --------------------- -------------------------

SILVER MACE DONATED TO SAI BABA @ SHIRDI

2011-02-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

30th Jan`2011 The "Rustam-e-Hind" title holder, wrestler Shri.Amol Buchade from Pune donated a Silver Mace to Sai Baba @ Shirdi. The donation was accepted by Executive Officer of Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shri.Kishore More. Also present on the occasion were the Vice President of Shirdi Nagarpanchayat Shri.Shivaji Gondkar & Shri.Kamalakar Kote. To see this news on Video go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-9zGtZFiM&feature=player_embedded

GOLD CROWN OFFERED TO SAI BABA @ CHANDIGARH SAI TEMPLE

2011-02-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

30th Jan`2011 Chandigarh:

On 29th Jan`2011 Saturday early morning, just before Baba's Kakad aarti, a veiled woman anonymously offered a Gold Crown weighing around 150 grams (15 tolas) worth Rs.3 lakh to Baba at Sector-29 Sai Mandir at Chandigarh, when all were present in the temple. "Shirdi Sai Samaj Temple"Plot No.6, Sector 29-A, Chandigarh, Punjab`India

According to the Temple priest Shri.Vinod Shastri, on early Saturday morning at 04:44 am a family came to the temple in a white car accompanied by this veiled woman,who was carrying a Silver pooja thali (plate) in which was paced the crown, covered with a piece of cloth. She walked up to Baba's Idol while the priests were changing the dresses for the daily ritual. Then she placed the Silver plate with the Crown at the feet of Baba & asked the priests to place the crown on the Idol's head. But before the priests could turn back to her, she had already left the place.As the news spread, the Managing Committee members & the local devotees started rushing to temple to have glimpse of the Gold Crown which was studded with artificial Ornamental Studs.

The Vice President of the Temple management Shri.Anil Khurana said:"We have checked the purity of the Crown. It is of pure Gold but the studs are ornamental and artificial. We might also approach Hallmark or a government agency for a confirmation certification. We do not doubt devotees intentions but getting the Crown tested is our compulsion for administrative reasons."Till now at this Chandigarh Sai Temple, devotees had donated Silver articles for Baba but this is the first time a devotee has donated such an expensive gold article for Baba, apart from one Gold Crown donated around 3 years back.

Committee member Shri.Vikas Puri said that everyday starting from the early morning Kakad Aarti till night 10:00pm there is always a rush of devotees in the temple and only the 30 minutes before the Kakad aarti is the time when the temple staff is busy in their respective work. So, it becomes difficult to keep an eye on all the devotees. Thus, the Temple management has deployed additional security gaurds in the premises after this incident.And, with a view to ascertain the identity of the veiled woman, the temples managing committee is going to screen the video footage captured through the close circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in the Sai temple.

SHIRDI SAI BABA - -NEW TAMIL MAHAAN SERIAL ON STAR VIJAY TV -

2011-02-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

It is believed that every birth on earth has a purpose and only a few realize the purpose of their birth. And when they realize their purpose they become God’s messenger and begin to preach the greatness of Him. The one who gives up their earthly ways to spread the messages, the love of God is considered to be a “Saint”. So, Star Vijay TV (Tamil) is proud to present the life journey of Mahaan Shirdi Sai Baba.On 31st January`2011, in its ongoing Mahaan series Star Vijay TV, will be launching a new series on the birth, the calling, the sacrifices, the miracles, and the sainthood life of the great saint 'Sai Baba'. Titled: "Shirdi Sai Baba" Language: Tamil On: Star Vijay TV Telecast timings: Every Monday to Friday at 06:30pm (IST) Shirdi Sai Baba is an Indian guru, yogi, and fakir who is regarded by his Hindu and Muslim devotees as a saint. Hindu devotees consider him an incarnation of Lord Shiva or Dattatreya. Many devotees believe that he was a Sadguru, an enlightened Sufi Pir or a Qutub. There are many stories and eyewitness accounts of miracles he performed. He is a well-known figure in many parts of the world, but especially in India, where he is much revered.Sai Baba had no love for perishable things and his sole concern was self-realization. He remains a very popular saint and is worshipped by people around the world. He taught a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, & devotion to God/Guru. His teaching combined elements of Hinduism and Islam: "He gave the hindu name Dwarakamayi to the mosque he lived in practiced Hindu and Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions, and was buried in a Hindu temple in Shirdi. One of his well known epigrams, “Sabka Malik Ek ” is associated with both the Bhagavad-Gita and Sufism. He always uttered “Allah Malik” (“God is King”). See this news on Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stdUSFahWc8&feature=player_embedded

BLACK-MARKETING OF PRASAD LADDU'S @ SHIRDI

2011-02-01T14:27:00.000-08:00

20th Jan`2011 Every Devotee who comes to Shirdi for Sai Baba’s Darshan, never returns back without taking the famous sweet Prasad Laddu’s available at the Prasad counter of the Sansthan.These Laddu’s which are made in pure Ghee, are available for Rs.10/- per packet. Earlier, each person could purchase as many Laddu packets as he wanted but then owing to the huge demand of these Laddu’s, the Shirdi Sai Sansthan decided to give out only 1 packet per person.And, if anyone wants more than 1 packet, he has to stand in the prasad queue again and purchase the other packet. So now, some people not only stand in the Prasad queue over and over again but also make other members of their family join the queue, so as to purchase as many Prasad Laddu packets as needed.Taking advantage of the situation of devotees waiting in long stretches of Prasad queues, a group of 3 men started black-marketing these Prasad Laddu’s. They queued up again & again to purchase as many laddu packets as needed, from the Prasad counter itself @ Rs.10/- per packet.Then, they sold them at double the price ie, @ Rs.20/- per packet to those devotees who did not want or could not stand in the long Prasad queues and were willing to pay double the price for it.When, the Shirdi Sai Sansthan learnt about it, their security force came into action and managed to capture one of the group members, while the other two ran away. According to the one caught, the other men had taken Rs.200/- from him and in-turn purchased 20 packets of Prasad laddu @ Rs.10/- per packet.They then sold all of them for Rs.400/- and returned his Rs.200/- plus a Rs.100/- profit, adding upto Rs.300/- total, while they kept the remaining Rs.100/- with them.Many devotees are now demanding that the Sai Sansthan should allow a maximum of 5 packets of Prasad Laddu’s to be sold to each person, so as to counter such black-marketing activities.The Shirdi Sai Sansthan Trust has said that they will take adequate measures to keep a check on such activities and will also try to get hold of the other two absconding black-marketers. To See this news on Video go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teckCi8S4XI&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGb2kaloQyQ&feature=player_embedded

RS.450 CRORE IMAGE MAKEOVER PLAN FOR SHIRDI

2011-02-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

13th Jan`2011 The Maharashtra Govt is all set to totally change the face of Shirdi & make it into a world class Pilgrimage plus Tourist Spot,for which, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has revived its six-year-old Shirdi development plan and is planning to construct a 3-5 Star Hotel, a Promenade, Skywalks and Parking lots in the city which attracts more than eight lakh pilgrims on a day on any auspicious occasion.The Shirdi Sai Temple Trust manages the 5-6 acres of land surrounding the place of worship. Now, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will undertake a massive makeover within a 3 km circumference around the Temple land.MSRDC had floated Rs.450-crore infrastructure development plan for Shirdi in 2005,which had been lying dormant for 6 years. MSRDC, however, has now called for Expression of Interest (EOI) from various parties and held a meeting with infrastructure and real estate players to kick-start the programme. The Project will be build on a BOT (Build Operate Transfer) model where the operator creates the infrastructure and returns the project back to the government after recovering his cost.MSRDC will be awarding a contract with the condition that the town has to be developedalong the lines of the Vatican City. Tenders will be published in March`2011. The Shirdi SaiBaba Sansthan has studied the Traffic & Crowd management model of 10 Indian Pilgrimages and 3 International Pligrimages - Jerusalem, Mecca & the Vatican City. It finally decided to go ahead with the Vatican city based model for Shirdi.Under this plan, the MSRDC will: a) Start a three or five star hotel and has already sought land from the Shree Shirdi Sai Sansthan. b) The MSRDC is also planning a four-lane 10km ring road, which will go along the township. c) Widening of roads in Shirdi as the township with a population of 60,000 inhabitants sees more then 1 lakh people coming in on an average day. d) Constructing a 1,200-metre Skywalk to the Main Temple complex, which will have three outlets leading to the temple with Lifts and Escalators. e) It will also include a 1.5km promenade on the Ahmednagar-Manmad road. f) The promenade will provide facilities such as sanitation, seating arrangements for the devotees. g) Plans to have multi-storeyed car parking of seven to 11 floors that can house 600 vehicles. h) There are also plans to build a hotel with at least 200 rooms for devotees.The plots for development are being provided by the Shirdi Temple Trust and theofficials claim that once the bidder is finalised, they project will be completed in 30 months. See this news on Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMmi6cdnKDc&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lruCsKFnoW4&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7IYNJ_Ar_E&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfScKY2GC30&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg7NdtnPPy4&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYWRbxVJzJU&feature=player_embedded The Entire Project will be completed in Three Phases within 3-4yrs time. The 1st Phase will cost Rs.100 crore for the entire Road Development in & around Shirdi. A Ring-Road will be build around Shirdi so that those who want to by-pass Shirdi can do so from Out-n-Out itself without entering Shirdi Townthus reducing the Traffic congestion in Shirdi._ _ _ The 2nd Phase will look after the Traffic & Crowd Management plus the Commercial Use of Land for which a total of 5 plots have been identified & will be purchased by the Shirdi SaiBaba Sansthan for MSRDC who will develop it under B.O.T & Public-Private Participation.A Multi-level Parking to accomodate thousands of Cars/Buses will be made. A big building " Bhakt-Niwas' & Comercial Area will be made for Boarding/Lodging of Devotees and for Commercial use also. Cars/Buses etc will come straight into this Multi-level Parking and the Devotees will directly go to the Bhakt-Niwas from here.There is going to be Sky-Walks in Shirdi connecting the "Bhakt-Niwas"directly to the 3 Entry/Exit points of Baba's Samadhi Temple. These Sky-Walks will have Lift`s & Escalators too for the benefit of the Aged/Handicapped People. Thus, there will be less number of people on the road going to & fro the Samadhi Temple.In short Shirdi will have all the facilities for a world class tourist Spot. _ _ The 3rd Phase will be building a Green Zone with a Amphi-theatre, Promenades, Benches etc to make Shirdi a Tourist spot alongside an Pilgrimage for which 8 plots have been identified & will be purchased by the Shirdi SaiBaba Sansthan for MSRDCwho will develop it under B.O.T & Public-Private Participation.

100 BAGS OF SUGAR DONATED TO BABA @ SHIRDI -

2011-02-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

13th Jan`2011 The Chairman of Shri Saibaba Sugar Mill Limited`Latur, Shri.Rajesh Buke donated 100 bags of Sugarto Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan on 13th Jan`2011. He has been donating such 100 bags of Sugar to Sai Baba at Shirdi since the last Five Years. After the donation, Smt & Shri Rajesh Buke were felicitated by the trustee of Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan Shri.Suresh Wable. Public Relations Officer of Sansthan Shri. Mohan Yadav was also present on the occasion.

CONVICT CALLED BY SAI BABA FOR DARSHAN @ SHIRDI -

2011-02-01T13:54:00.000-08:00

12th Jan`2011 Shirdi Sai Baba equally blesses all his devotees and never differentiates between them on any grounds, be it Religion, Status, Saints or Sinners. Also if & only when anyone is called by Baba for his Darshan, then only can that person make it to Shirdi !!! So recently, a Wanted Convict too, was called by Sai Baba for Darshan at Shirdi. It so happened that, this convict, wanted by the Uttar-Pradesh Police was caught & arrested in Karnataka`India.While being escorted back to Lucknow`Uttar Pradesh,the handcuffed Convict expressed his desire to have Sai Baba's Darshan at Shirdi on their way.The policemen agreed to his request and decided to make a brief stop at Shirdi`Maharashtra en-route to Lucknow`U.P. But, as due to security concerns, it is Prohibited to carry cameras, cell-phones or any form of weapons inside the Temple Premises,the policemen on reaching Shirdi, were not allowed to go inside the Temple premises because of the arms & ammunitions they were carrying. Thus, the policemen decided to take turns for going inside the Temple premises for Baba's Darshan,so that the ones going inside could leave their arms & ammunitions in the security of the other policemen outside. In this manner, first the main cop went inside the Samadhi Temple to have Baba's Darshan while leaving his weapons & the handcuffed Convict, in the security of the other cops, outside the Temple premises. On his return, the other cops took the handcuffed Convict inside the Temple for Sai Baba's Darshan, while leaving their arms & ammunitions outside with the former cop. After all of them had Baba's darshan, they headed back towards Lucknow.

SHRI SAI SATCHARITRA MAHAPARAYAN SOHALA`2011

2011-02-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

10th Jan 2011 On the eve of the 100th year of the Ramanavami Festival which was initiated by Shri Sai Baba at Shirdi,an event "Shri Sai Satcharitra Mahaparayan Sohala`2011" is being organised @ Shirdi,by the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust`Shirdi in co-operation with the Natya Rasika Sanch, Shri Sai Sansthan Employees Credit Co.Op.Soc.Ltd and the Residents of Shirdi.This Mahaparayan Sohala will be held with 9309 devotees, which is in accordance to the number of stanzas present in the Shri Sai Satcharitra. Date: Monday 17/1/2011 to Thursday 20/1/ 2011 Timing: 07:00 am to 11:00 am and 03:00 pm to 06:00 pm IST Venue: Sainagar Ground, Shirdi`Maharashtra, India Last Date for Nomination: 15th Jan`2011 Devotees should bring their own Mat's for sitting."Shri Sai Satcharitra" will be presented by Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi for the Parayan.Out-station Devotees nominated for the Parayan will be provided Prasad meal & Accommodation free of cost. For queries contact: Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, (Shirdi)PO: Shirdi Tal. Rahata Dist. Ahmednagar,Maharashtra`India. Tel No:+ 91-2423-258500 E-mail: http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=saibaba@sai.org.in, http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=saibaba@shrisaibabasansthan.org Source: http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/new/parayan/appeal_mahaparayana.htm

ROBBERY AT SHIRDI SAI BABA TEMPLE IN ASTAN VILLAGE`SURAT

2011-02-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

6th Jan`2011 Surat: On 05th Jan`2011, there was a robbery at the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in the Astan Village of Surat in Gujarat`India.Late night the burglars entered the Temple and stole the 3 Donation Boxes kept inside the Sai Temple. Their entire Modus operandi of the thieves was captured live on the CCTV Cameras installed in the Temple.The next day all of the 3 stolen donation boxes were found lying broken and empty in a field.According to the Priest of the temple, around Rs.10,000/- was stolen which was kept in those donation boxes

SHIRDI GETS RS 4.37 CRORES DONATION IN JUST 4 DAYS

2011-02-01T13:16:00.001-08:00

5th Jan`2011 On the start of this New-year, from 01st Jan`2011 to 04th Jan`2011 itself, almost 6 lakh devotees reached Shirdi to seek Baba's Blessings and in-turn donated a Record Breaking Rs.4 crores 37 lakhs in Cash in just 4 days.These Cash Donations included currencies of 18 different countries, led by American Dollars and followed by Saudi Arabian Riyals.It took 8 hours for 200 officers of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust to count the cash.This record breaking donation went upto Rs.4 crores 64 lakhs when the Gold & Silver donations were also included. To see this news on Video go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75ygEBUNe5s&feature=player_embedded

HOW RICH IS THE SAI BABA TEMPLE AT SHIRDI ?

2011-02-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

4th Jan`2011 The Famous Pilgrim centre of Shri Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi, one of the richest temples in Maharashtra, has Ornaments and Jewellery worth over Rs.32 crore (Rs.320 million)and Investments running into Rs.4,27,17,02,929 (Rs 420.17 crore), according to official documents. The Administration of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi), governed by the Managing Committee which was constituted by the Maharashtra Government way back on 23rd August`2004 has: 1) Kisan Vikas Patras worth Rs.51,71,00,100 (Rs 51.71 crore), 2) Government of India 8% Saving Bonds amounting to Rs.48,15,53,000 (Rs 48.16 crore), 3) Irredeemable Bonds of Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran worth Rs.8 crore (Rs 80 million) 4) Rs.3,19,30,49,929 (Rs 319.30 crore) in various nationalised banks. 5) It has Rs.47,82,31,835.64 (Rs 47.82 crore) as Trust Corpus Fund. The Trust Auditor Mr.Sharad S Gaikwad in its annual audit for 2009-10 said that the Temple Trust has Ornaments & Jewellery whose total worth stands at Rs.32,23,59,372 (Rs 32.236 crore). 1) Gold worth Rs.24,41,10,640-cr, 2) Silver worth Rs.3,26,19,152-cr, 3) Silver Coins worth Rs.612,317 (Rs 6.12 lakh) 4) Gold Coins worth Rs.1,28,89,749 (Rs 1.288 crore) 5) Gold pendants worth Rs.1,12,31,903 (Rs 1.123 crore) This Annual Report was tabled in Maharashtra's State Legislature during its winter session in December 2010. The Sai Temple has earned a surplus income of Rs.94,67,79,142 (Rs 94.677 crore) in the year 2009-10, as against Rs.87,22,71,012 (Rs 87.227 crore) in the year 2008-09. The total income during the year 2009-10 was Rs.1,64,88,01,030 (Rs 164.88 crore)by way of rent, interest on savings bank accounts, investments & donations,as against Rs.1,51,51,43,503 (Rs 151.51 crore) in previous year. The Immovable property & buildings are worth Rs.79,28,30,95 (Rs 79.28 crore),including the Statue of Sai Baba worth Rs.8 lakhs (Rs 800,000), the annual report stated. The Chartered Accountancy firm also suggested the Managing Committee todispose off precious stones valued at Rs.2,00,79,164 (Rs 2 crore) by conducting public auction,at regular intervals to augment its revenue. During the year 2009-10, the Sai Baba Temple received donations of 147.10 grams Gold valued at Rs.2,44,888 (Rs 2.448 lakh)and Silver weighing 4508 grams whose present cost at the end of fiscal year 2009-10 was Rs.1,02,640 (Rs 1.026 lakh).An interesting point mentioned in the report is that unlike many civic bodies,the Trust has accepted and implemented the Sixth Pay Commission Report for its Employees.Also, it says that the Temple transactions on a daily basis closes at 2 pm in the afternoon.Cash received later on is included in the next day's collection. To see this news on Video go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWnj6Uxyzp0&feature=player_embedded

FIBREGLASS SCULPTURE OF SHIRDI SAI BABA AT NIMGAON

2011-02-01T13:11:00.000-08:00

3rd January`2011 A Beautiful Sculpture of Shirdi Sai Baba cooking for Devotees at the "Sai Palkhi Nivara" in Nimgaon, 1km from Shirdi`Maharashtra, has become a crowd-puller.Designed by a 34-year-old Pune-based sculptor Shri.Jitendra Sutar, this 15-ft x 25-ft Sai Baba's Sculpture made in Fibreglass took 5 months to complete.The Sculpture adorns the outer wall of the main building near the place where prasad is served to the devotees. It shows Shirdi Sai Baba putting his hand in a big Cauldron to stir the food being prepared for poor people.The "Sai Palkhi Nivara" has been constructed by "Om Shri Sai Dham Mandir Trust" Virar (Mumbai),to provide lodging and meals to Devotees.

NEW YEARS EVE WITH BABA AT SHIRDI

2011-02-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

1st Jan`2011 Many devotees now prefer to ring in the New Year at some Holy place and or with their Guru. With this desire, around 3 lakh devotees reached Shirdi to be in the company of their beloved Baba for New Years Eve,for which the Sai Sansthan had kept Baba's Samadhi Temple open the full night on 31st to enable the devotees to have Darshan. So, this New Years Eve Sai Baba also did not sleep as lakhs of devotees had lined up for his Darshan. Bhajan Kirtan continued through out the night and so there was no Shayan Aarti or the Kakad Aarti of Baba, on 1st Jan`2011.Many devotees came walking all the way to Shirdi carrying Sai Palkis with them.The atmosphere at the Shirdi Sai Temple was showering with devotion. In front of Lendi garden devotees lit thousands of candles, while some were reading the Shri Sai Satcharitra wherever they could find a place to sit and do so.People were also singing Sai bhajans in Hindi, Marathi, Kannada and Tamil.As the Clock struck 12:00 at midnight, the Bells started ringing in the Sai Temple.The devotees who were waiting in queues outside the temple bowed their Heads and did Pranam to the Temple's Kalash (Dome) and started chanting Prayers to welcome the New-year 2011.However, at this moment devotees could not have Sai Baba's Mukh Darshan for a short period because of the VIP crowd having Darshan inside. The darshan queue was so big that the entire Pimpalwadi Road was full of devotees and to manage which, the Trustee of the Sai Baba Temple Shri.Jayant Sasane, the Executive Office Shri.Kishore More & the additional Executive Officer Dr.Yashwant Mane were monitoring the darshan queue arrangement. But because the Temple was open the whole night, the crowd was easily controlled. In one hour minimum 10 thousand devotees were having Baba's Darshan, because of which in the night almost 1 lakh devotees took Darshan. In two days itself, at the Shirdi Sai Prasadalaya each day around 40,000 devotees had their meals.Some devotees had given the Free Prasad Meal donation becuase of which the Meals were given to everyone for free. One such devotee from Gujarat Shri.Aalap Rajubhai Patel donated Rs.11 lakh and 11 thousand for the free prasad meal scheme for everyone to have free meals from 14th to 17th Jan`2011. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shri.Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, Supreme Court Judge Shri.Dalveer Bhandari, Officer Shri.Rajgopal Devra, Shri.Anilkumar Likhna & Minister of Social Justice Shri.Shivajirao Moghe and some Actors, Industrialists, Singers etc too reached Shirdi to receive Baba's Blessings. To see this news on Video go to::: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7VHe6Orv9w&feature=player_embedded

200 EUNUCHS OFFER PRAYERS FOR INDIA TO SAI BABA AT SHIRDI

2011-02-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

1st Jan`2011 Mostly people go to Shirdi to seek Baba's blessings either for themselves or their near & dear ones,but this is one such instance which will be remembered, where not one or two but 200 Eunuchs went to Shirdi to offer Prayers to Baba, not for themselves, but for India on the whole. On 01st Jan`2011,200 Eunuchs went to Shirdi for Baba's Darshan . Each one of them was holding a lit candle as they walked systematically in rows, towards the Sai Baba Temple. When inside the Temple, in the Sanctum Sanctorum they offered prayers and asked for Peace and Unity in India.They prayed to Baba to remove Corruption from the Country and to give the correct understanding to all the Corrupt People/Politicians so that they amend their ways and reform themselves, failing which, Baba should punish them equally.

GOLDEN GARLAND DONATED TO SAI BABA AT SHIRDI

2011-02-01T12:53:00.000-08:00

01st Jan`2011 On 01st Jan`2011,Smt.Pratima Rani Das, a Sai Devotee from Mumbai`Maharashtra donated a 1 Kg Golden Garland worth Rs.19 Lakh to Sai Baba at Shirdi. She said that she had been coming to Shirdi since the last 35 years and owed everything in her life to Baba as once when her elder son had met with a terrible motorcycle accident, the doctors had given up saying that he was no more and now nothing could be done. So, Smt.Pratima Rani, while keeping Baba's photo beside her son applied Udhi and cried out to Baba for help. All of a sudden her son started breathing and soon came out of the ventilator.And today, her son is happily married and has his own kids too.So as a token of her gratitude, she had offered this Gold Garland to Baba. Also present on the occasion were,Deputy Executive Officer of Sai Baba Sansthan Trust Dr.Yashwantrao Mane and the Sai Temple Incharge Shri.Ramarao Shelke. To see this news on Video go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=das5m3bg2-8&feature=player_embedded