Origin of the name - 'Shirdi' Sai Baba:
Shirdi is a small village, 13 Km to the south of Kopargaon in Ahmednagar District of Maharastra State, India. Sri Sai Baba first came to Shirdi in about 1852 A.D. and stayed there for two years. He appeared again in Shirdi after 2-3 years along with a marriage party from Dhupkhede, when he was hardly a lad of 16 years in a dress of Kafni, dhoti and a to He was first greeted in Sri Khandoba's temple as " Aao, Sai, Aao" by Sri Mahalasapati, A goldsmith and manager of the temple and the name of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba was adopted to the young saint since then.
About Sai Baba:
Sai Baba of Shirdi (Unknown – October 15, 1918), Shirdi Sai Baba was a fakir who is regarded by Hindu and Muslim devotees as a saint. Hindu devotees consider him an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Many devotees believe that he was a SAT GURU.Sāī is of Sanskrit origin, meaning "Sakshat Eshwar" or the divine. Sai Baba a very popular saint, and is worshiped by people around the world. He had no love for materialistic things and his sole concern was self-realization. He taught a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion. He gave the Hindu name Dwarakamayi to the mosque he lived in, practiced Hindu and Muslim rituals and was buried in Shirdi. One of his well known epigrams, "Sabka Malik Ek " ("One God governs all"), He always uttered “Allah Malik” ("God is King").
Samadhi:
He laid down his mortal body on Dasara (15th October 1918) at Shirdi. There was a great fuss amongst the devotees of the Muslim and Hindu communities over the cremation of the dead body as both sects claimed Sri Sai Baba as belonging to their community. The dispute was decided by the then Collector of Ahmednagar and accordingly Hindus buried him and a Samadhi was constructed over the body.
Grace & Divine powers:
It is the belief of the devotee that the spirit of Sri Sai Baba still lives, comes out to give darshan at odd hours to the real devotees in time of their difficulties and gives them guidance. The real devotees of Sri Sai Baba come to Shirdi with such intense devotion that they feel as if dragged out of their homes for His darshan and they return with their hearts full of peace. Many devotees have been favored by Sri Sai Baba's grace. Some have been cured of their diseases, some could get sons, some were enriched, some were married as per their choice and some could find solace. Some ailing patients, who could not be cured by any medicine in the hospitals and who had lost hopes of cure, were cured merely by applying or eating 'Udi' (Sacred Ash) of Sri Sai Baba. The devotees of Sai Baba come from all countries of the world and from all faiths.
Devotees:
The devotees of Sri Sai Baba are from all castes, creeds, religions and all classes rich & poor. There is no discrimination. Any person of any community is allowed to perform, Pooja, Abhisekham Satyanarayana puja. The articles offered are mainly cloth, silver, gold and flower garlands. Many devotees give their donations for feeding the poor, for puja, hospitals, medicines, utensils, benches in gardens, construction of buildings and various specific purposes.
Grace & Divine powers:
It is the belief of the devotee that the spirit of Sri Sai Baba still lives, comes out to give darshan at odd hours to the real devotees in time of their difficulties and gives them guidance. The real devotees of Sri Sai Baba come to Shirdi with such intense devotion that they feel as if dragged out of their homes for His darshan and they return with their hearts full of peace. Many devotees have been favored by Sri Sai Baba's grace. Some have been cured of their diseases, some could get sons, some were enriched, some were married as per their choice and some could find solace. Some ailing patients, who could not be cured by any medicine in the hospitals and who had lost hopes of cure, were cured merely by applying or eating 'Udi' (Sacred Ash) of Sri Sai Baba. The devotees of Sai Baba come from all countries of the world and from all faiths.
Devotees:
The devotees of Sri Sai Baba are from all castes, creeds, religions and all classes rich & poor. There is no discrimination. Any person of any community is allowed to perform, Pooja, Abhisekham Satyanarayana puja. The articles offered are mainly cloth, silver, gold and flower garlands. Many devotees give their donations for feeding the poor, for puja, hospitals, medicines, utensils, benches in gardens, construction of buildings and various specific purposes.
