Shri Shirdi Sai speaks-30th Sept/Aerial view of the Khandoba temple in Jejuri

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Om Shree Ganeshaya Namaha!

Om Sai Ram!Jai Maata Di!

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click to the below links and pictures- Plz go to http://debu7370.blogspot.com/

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above link.And if any of you or your friends would like to receive these

messages directly to your mailbox-- send me an email at debu7366 I

dont know how are things with all those who have been following me on this

teerth yatra but as for me , even in my dreams - I find myself visiting these

temples and paying my respects to the various shrines..Anyways, Today we will be

going to the Khandoba temple in Jejuri which is near Poona in Maharashtra,

India.Hope your journey too is as blissful as mine.

You can click on the above Aerial picture of Jejuri temple or any of the below

pictures to see the larger view. The town is known for being the venue of one of

the revered temples in the state, known as the Khandobachi Jejuri. The temple is

dedicated to Khandoba, also known as Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand.

Khandoba is regarded as the 'God of Jejuri' and is held in great reverence by

the Dhangars, one of the oldest tribes in India.

Jejuri Temple is situated atop a small hill and because of this height; one has

to climb a series of almost 200 steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum. Since the

climb is not too difficult and offers amazing views of Saswad and Dive Ghat, one

doesn't even come to know when the 200 steps come to an end.

Jejuri Khandoba Temple can be easily divided into two separate parts - the

Mandap and Gabhara.One can enjoy number of ' Deep Mala ' ( Light Stands of

Stones ) while climbing the hill. Jejuri is really popular for its old Deep

Mala.

A Sword Competition is held every year at the temple, on the occasion of

Dusshera. The one who lifts the sword of the temple high up, for the maximum

time, is declared the winner.Jejuri is also known as Khandobachi Jejuri or

Sonyaachi Jejuri, meaning the place is full of Bhandaara (turmeric powder) all

over which is showered by the devotees who visit this place to fetch the

blessings of Lord Malhari or Khandobaa .

Jejuri also has significant importance from historical point of view. It is

said that after years of separation Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj met his father

Shahaji Raje on Jejurigad and discussed the strategies against Mughals. This

place is blessed by sacred feet of Shivaji Maharaj.

This was one of the many temples that had been destroyed and converted into a

Mosque by the Muslim aggressors Shivaji Maharaj reconverted it into a temple.

Even today, the temple structure displays a mix of Hindu and Muslim

architecture.

The temple over the hill is pretty. Though a simple one, still looks beautiful

The temple is crowded on Sundays and Amavasya Day. You will find people from

Dhangar (shepherd) community on a large number visiting this place. You will

find many pandits in the temple asking for donations but strictly ignore them as

they emotionally blackmail many devotees and the devotees too get fooled easily.

 

You will also hear people shouting " Yelkot! Yelkot! Jai Malhar " and

" Sadanandacha Yelkot " to impress Lord Khandoba.

 

Khandoba is known to be a warrior God sitting on horseback with a sword and a

damru. He is the most popular family deity in Maharashtra, the patron deity of

warrior, farming and herding castes, the hunters and gatherers of the hills and

forests.

The legends of Khandoba, found in the text Malhari Mahatmya and also narrated

in folk songs, revolve around the god's victory over demons Mani-malla and the

god's marriages.

The idol of Shri Khandoba enshrined inside the temple is simply beautiful.

There are three weapons housed in Jejuri Temple, a sword, a damaru and a paral.

They are very exquisite and also have historical importance attached to them.

It is a tradition and considered as auspicious for the newly wed couple to

visit this temple.May Lord Khandoba fill our lives with lots of joy , good

health, success, love, contentment and peace of mind.

Message from the teachings of Sai baba for 30th September

Let Scaling the Heights of Success be Our Goal

A mountaineer aims at the highest peak of a mountain. A devotee should aim at

reaching the presence of God from which there should be no coming back. In order

to achieve any great purpose in life, toil and trouble are inevitable. We have

to face problems and tests. It is easier to walk on the earth for every one. So

it is to live a care-free life, eating and loitering. But a heroic man strives

and struggles to reach a goal, however hazardous the path might be. Once you set

your foot on the path to reach your goal, friends and relatives might threaten

you of encountering hazards and failures. Moreover, people would get ready to

pull you down once you reach the summit of success. We must have complete

self-confidence and faith in God in order to accomplish any task we might

undertake. Many people fail to achieve anything in their lives and take delight

in seeing people flounder in their efforts or bend their heads in shame because

of failures. Faith stands

them in good stead to those who trust in God. However rugged or thorny the path

might be, a man of faith succeeds in reaching the summit of success and

indescribable will be the bliss he experiences. It is a state of divine delight.

Man's life should not be like that of a frog in a well which leaps and falls

down. We should strive to reach the Feet of Sai - the height of illimitable

bliss.

 

 

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