Dagdi Wada (Samadhi Mandir)

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DAGDI WADA (SAMADHI MANDIR)

Gopal Rao Butti was born in Bardi, Nagpur in 1876. He was wealthy, cultured

and educated (part of his education was in Manchester, Britain). He had a

great love for poetry, fine arts and saints. It was Sakaram B. Dhumal who

brought Butti to Shirdi around 1907. Both were friends and devoted to

Gajanan Maharaj of Shegoan. Butti on meeting Baba was changed for life. He

often visited Shirdi with his family. Finally, he decided to build a 'small

wada' for himself in Shirdi.

The land adjacent to the Dwarakamai on its western side was vacant i.e.

between Gurusthan and Dwarakamai. This land Baba turned into a beautiful

flower garden. When He went to Rahata He brought with him saplings of Mari

Gold, Jai and Jui. After cleaning and scoring the land, He planted them. He

lovingly watered them daily. A devotee named Vaman Tatya supplied Him with

two earthen pitchers, with these Baba Himself watered, tendered and

nourished the plants. This went on for three years and thus grew a fragrant

luscious beautiful garden (Ref. ESS, Ch. V). This land was bought by Butti

who wanted to build a wada for himself and his family. One day he and Shyama

both had the same dream vision in which Baba clearly instructed him to build

a Wada. So this mansion was built which Baba called 'Dagdi Wada' and at

Baba's Mahasamadhi He instructed His devotees to take Him to Dagdi Wada.

Thus the beautiful garden became Dagdi Wada or Rutti Wada and then Samadhi

Mandir. This Samadhi Mandir now used by devotees of all castes and creed,

rich and poor, able and feeble and devotees from all over the world.

The rest is history. One day Butti and Shyama were sleeping in the upper

storey of Dixit Wada. Butti had a dream vision in which Baba clearly said

"build your \vada most certainly including in it a temple". Simultaneously

Shyama too had the same dream vision. He was filled with intense love and

was choked with emotion and was weeping in his sleep. Butti questioned him

regarding this. Shyama said Baba came close to me and said "let the Wada and

temple take a concrete shape. I shall fulfil the wishes of all". Both were

astonished to find that their dreams tallied. They went to Kaka Saheb and

together they made a general outline of the project. Early next morning they

went to Baba with the plan. Shyama said "Oh Deva, you don't even let us

sleep peacefully". On hearing this Baba put His hands on His ears and said

"Whatever anyone may say we have been in our own place." Of course, the plan

was immediately sanctioned. Shyama got the basement, ground floor and well

constructed. Baba watched the progress of the Wada on His daily rounds to

Lendi Bagh.

"Put a door here, a window there. Here to the east take out a gallery. It

will enhance the beauty of the Wada"

Baba suggested. Butti too eagerly watched the progress and he yearned to

have a sanctum sanctorum, with an idol of Muralidhar, his Ishta Devata.

Butti would never begin any work without Baba's consent and blessings. So he

informed Shyama of his wish. Shyama asked Baba while He was going to Lendi

Bagh "O Deva, Babu Saheb here says we should pull down both the walls

dividing the hall and install an idol of Muralidhar. But your permission is

necessary". On hearing this Baba readily gave His consent. Shyama quickly

brought a coconut and asking Baba if the time was auspicious, broke it.

 

(Adopted from Ambrosia In Shirdi by Dr.Vinny Chitluri, this book can be read

at http://saileelas.org/books/ambrosiainshirdi1.htm and this book is a

virtual guide on Shirdi with

lots of rare photos on Baba)