Lets explore Shirdi - Other Temples in Shirdi

[Guest guest]

OTHER TEMPLES IN SHIRDI

KANIF NATH TEMPLE

This temple is in front of the post office. Kanif Nath is one of the

Navnaths. Baba is said to have visited this temple on various occasions.

Festivals are conducted in this temple in the month of Shravan, Gokulashtami

and other holy days. Daily pujas are conducted by the village Pujari.

MAHALAKSHMI MANDIR

On Pimpalwadi Road adjacent to Pilgrims Inn is this Mahalakshmi Mandir. Bala

Shimpe once suffered from malignant malaria. He tried all sorts of medicines

but it did not abate. He ran to Shirdi and fell at Baba's feet. Baba said,

"Give a black dog some morsels of rice mixed with curds in front of the

Lakshmi Temple". So Bala Shimpe took the rice and curds to the temple, there

he found a black dog wagging its tail. He placed the rice before the dog who

at once ate it, thus ridding him of malaria (Ref. ESS, XIII).

KHANDOBA MANDIR

Khandoba, an Avatar of Shiva, is the Kul Devata of Maharashtra. This small

temple is situated opposite the bus stand and adjacent to 'Sai Nath'

Hospital. Mahalsapathi was the priest of this temple. When Baba came with

Chand Patil's Carriage party, Mahalsapathi came out of the temple and

greeted Baba saying 'Ya Sai'- since then the villagers called "irn SAI BABA.

But later when Baba went into the temple and said it was a fit place for a

Fakir's residence because of tue solitude. Mahalsapathi objected saying that

'no Muslim should get into his Hindu temple'. Then Mahalsapathi and Kashiram

requested Baba to stay in the Masjid and looked after His needs.

Mahalsapathi was attracted to Baba's divinity that he hardly left His side.

Baba asked Upasani to sit quietly (ughe mughe) in this temple for three and

half years for his spiritual advancement and Baba would do the rest. In 1929

Upasani reconstructed this temple with bricks and mortar and installed a

'Gopurarrf in gratitude to Baba for showering His grace.

On Champa Shrusti, a grand festival is held here annually. Many devotees

after fervent prayer, walk on the live coal that is kept in the long pit.

The Pujari completes the ceremony by walking on the live coal.

 

 

(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)