Lets explore Shirdi -Houses in and Around Shirdi that Baba Visited

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HOUSES IN AND AROUND SHIRDI THAT BABA VISITED

 

NEEMGOAN

NANA SAHEB DENGLE'S HOUSE

It was Nana Saheb who brought the wooden plank for Baba to sleep on. This

Nana Saheb begged Baba to allow him to do formal Puja, but Baba refused, and

asked him to do Puja to the pillar (now painted red in the Dwarakamai). Das

Ganu states in Ch.31 of Bhakt Leela Amrit when the grocers refused to give

oil to Baba to light the lamps, and then followed Him to Masjid to see what

He would do. Unperturbed Baba poured consecrated water in the lamps. The

grocers watching said "this man must be down right mad". Nana Saheb

disagreed with them and said, "Shri Hari knows what power this man has, if a

diamond lies in a heap of stone would you call it a stone?". After the lamps

were lit and burnt throughout the night, Dengle was full of astonishment and

wonder and fell at Baba's feet. He remained a staunch devotee of Baba

forever. This is the home of Nana and his brother Bala Saheb Dengle at

Nimgoan (Nigoj Nimgoan). This village lies 3 km away from Shirdi towards

Kopergoan. Baba rarely left Shirdi in the physical body but some afternoons

He did visit the home of Bala Saheb Dengle. His younger brother Nana had no

son, though he married a second wife and Baba blessed him with a son. Then

Nanasaheb became an ardent devotee of Baba, and Baba's fame spread far and

wide. Along with it, it brought numerous devotees like Nanasaheb Chandorkar

and Keshav Chidambaram (Ref. ESS, Ch.V). This family was famous because of

Nana Saheb's great grandfather Triambak Dengle, \vho was a Peshwa in 1800

A.D. with an infantry of over 20,000, and was honoured for his bravery.

KHANDOBA TEMPLE

As one enters this village there is a Khandoba Temple. Baba used to go and

sit in the corner. In memory of Baba's visit to this temple, the villagers

have installed an idol of Baba and holy Padukas in the corner where Baba

used to sit.

CHAVADI

Next to Khandoba's temple there is an old Chavadi now in ruins. It is said

that Baba used to go there and walk up and down. There remains a plaque on

the pillar, which dates it back to 1209 A.D.

HOLY WELL

A little away from the Khandoba temple lies a well (vihir), more like a tank

with steps leading into it. Baba used to draw water from this well, wash His

hands and feet and then go to Khandoba temple. This well is said to have an

underground passage which could be used if the village was attacked and the

people could evacuate. Because of Baba's use the water was sufficient to

deal with the needs of the village, "ut it is not in use at present.

THE DOOR

This door is the entrance to Nana Saheb's estate, which is inside a

fortress, now in ruins. There are two such doors. It is said when Baba first

visited this house the doors opened automatically thus welcoming Baba in.

The inhabitants of the house were wonderstruck! and knew that a Satpurush

had come.

THE SACRED PLACE WHERE BABA SAT

Vasant Rao the descendant of Bala Saheb says that Baba rarely went inside

the house, but He sat in the open courtyard. To mark this holy site, they

have built a cement structure with a Tulsi growing in 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. This book can be purchased from Dr.Vinny

Chitluri 304, Bhagchand Apartments Pimpalwadi Road Shird, District

Ahmednagar, Maharastra India Pin-423 109 Phone : 91-02423 - 255835)