Devotee sees Sai on Gold Throne,.. Gets one made

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Om Sai Ram!

 

(Mumbai Mirror, December 21, 2007)Hyderabad-based businessman donates a 100-kg gold throne to Shirdi after dreaming of Sai Baba seated on such a throne SANTOSH ANDHALE

It is a dream that has turned into reality. A Hyderabad based businessman, who dreamt of Shirdi Sai Baba seated on a gold throne, has fulfilled his wish by donating a 100-kilo gold throne to the shrine.

A L Reddy, who is in the construction business, has been visiting Shirdi for the past 20 years and makes at least 10 visits every year to the temple town. According to Reddy, Four months back, I had a dream, in which I saw Sai Baba seated on a gold throne. I then decided to get a gold throne made for Sai. The throne is expected to be installed in the temple on Datta Jayanti that falls this Sunday. The day is observed as Guru Poornima, when Gurus are honoured.

Reddy's donation has come as a wish fulfilled for the popular shrine in Ahmednagar district. In August 2006, the temple trust said it would replace the silver throne with a gold one weighing 325 kg at a cost of Rs 22 crore. The plan had to be shelved following criticism from people who suggested the money should be used for welfare activities.

After Sai Baba appeared in my dream, I immediately informed the Shri Sai Sansthan Trust about my plans to build a gold throne. The Sansthan provided me with a design, said Reddy who is now in Shirdi with family for 10 days of bhajans.

 

The throne was made by Bangalore-based goldsmiths. According to Sansthan chairperson Jayant Sasane, When some devotees from Andhra Pradesh donated gold and expressed a desire to make a throne, I made it clear that the Sansthan would not be a party to the throne-making project.

 

Sasane added, However, when Reddy, who was one of the devotees, told me about his plan of getting the throne made on his own, I agreed.

 

PRECIOUS DEVOTION

In 2000, the Sansthan installed a silver throne weighing 180 kg. Later, devotees suggested a gold throne to give the idol of Sai Baba a majestic look. In August 2006, the Sansthan decided to make a gold throne but shelved the plan following criticism from different quarters in the aftermath of farmers suicides in Vidarbha, the July 11 serial train blasts and the states gigantic debt, which has held up several developmental projects.

 

NUMBER OF DEVOTEES

On a normal day, over one lakh people visit the Shirdi shrine. On holidays and weekends, the number goes up to four lakh. During festivals, the number exceeds seven lakh. At present, the Sansthan gives prasad to 1,000 people at a time, but plans to increase the capacity to 5,000. Sai Baba's idol will be installed on the gold throne on Sunday

 

Devotees interested to have Live Darshan of Baba on Gold Throne can visit the link below.

 

http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/shirdilivedarshan1.htm

 

 

"May His Infinite Consciusness And Grace Shine Upon All Humble Efforts To Pay Homage To His Resplendent Life and Teachings"

SHRI SHIRDI SAI BABA SANSTHAN, CANADA

www.shirdisainath.org