PHOTOS WITH DETAILS - OTHER TEMPLES IN SHIRDI

October 14, 2008

(Photos courtesy : Sai Bhakta Dr.Vinni, Shirdi- Author of Ambrosia in Shirdi )

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 Him SAI BABA.

But later when Baba went into the temple and said it was a fit place for a Fakir's residence because of the 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.

BANYAN TREE

This is the blessed Banyan tree that gave shade to the marriage party of Chand Patil and family. The party alighted at the foot of this Banyan tree in Bhagat Mahalsapathi's field near Khandoba Mandir. Members of the party descended one by one and the Fakir also got down. Bhagat Mahalsapathy saw the young Fakir and said "Ya Sai" others also addressed Him as Sai and henceforth He became known as Sai Baba (Ref. ESS. Ch. V). This tree is on your right side after entering the compound. A small parapet is made around it and a small Baba's shrine with Padukas are placed there to commemorate the wonderful return of Sai Baba to Shirdi.

VITTAL MANDIR

This Mandir is situated on the left side of the street leading to post office. The Pujari Laxman Rao was very orthodox in his views. At first he was against Baba, as His routines were not acceptable to him. Once he fell sick losing all hope of life and Baba saved him from that illness. From that time he became a staunch devotee of Baba. His son Bapaji Laxman Ratna Parkhi also fell ill and his father approached Baba and entreated Him to cure his son. Baba scolded him and drove him away. Later Baba went to his house and put His hand over Bapaji's head and he recovered. Laxman Rao was so overwhelmed with this and thought that Baba was none other than God Himself. Bapaji also became an ardent devotee of Baba and he was one of the few devotees who were present when Baba took Mahasamadhi.

MARUTHI MANDIR (DAKSHINA MUKHI)

This village Mandir has two Maruthi Vigrahas (idols) denoting one for Shirdi, and the other for Biragaon village. One saint, named Devi Das lived at Shirdi many years before Baba came here. Baba stayed with him in this Maruti Mandir (Ref. ESS, Ch.V). Baba also visited Gangaghir of Punatambe, when He visited Shirdi, and stayed at this temple. Out of the Dakshina that Baba received He got this temple repaired.

Baba on His way to the Chavadi stood in front of this Mandir, and waved His hands facing the temple. The Palki also stops at this spot, and the Chopdars do Lalkari. This holy temple is used by ardent devotees who do Naam Jap. Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated on a grand scale.

The Nag Pratistha under the Peepul and Neem tree in front of this temple was made by B.V. Narasimha Swamy. Pratistha of Shiv Ling with Nandi was done by Murthikar Bajre Rao Dalve of Bombay on 11.2.1983. The villagers celebrate Sivaratri on a grand scale.

IDOL AT MARUTHI MANDIR

GANAPATHI, SHANI AND MAHADEV

These small Mandirs in one line are in front of Old Bhakta Niwas (queue complex). Out of the Dakshina money that Baba received He got Tatya to repair these temples. On December 26,1998, after due ritual and ceremony, the deities of these temples were moved to the Kalash Mandir under the temple expansion plan. New temples were built. On 3rd July, 1999 the deities were housed back in these temples with elaborate ritual and ceremony.

NARASIMHA TEMPLE

Built in 1964 by the descendants of Sakharam Shelke.. It is adjacent to Sakharam's house (near Baba's Chavadi). The compound houses the samadhis of Ramgiri Bua (Jamner miracle), Triambak Shelke (son of Sakharam) his wife Arsha Bai. The temple is looked after and maintained by the Shelke family.

" IF YOU SOW FAITH, YOU WILL REAP MIRACLES" SOWING - ROHIT

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