​​TAX ID #
​25-1584149​​
Shirdi Sai Saba Temple
Pittsburgh, PA

When I offered kumkum directly to Amman, I felt an intense surge of divine energy. At that very moment, memories surfaced from 1999–2000, soon after my marriage in the USA, when I used to observe the Maṅgala Gauri Vrata. Being new to the place and without knowing anyone, I would create a turmeric Gauri Amman at home and always offer the first butta tāmbūlam to Her.
Standing there, it felt as though the Mother had once again given me the opportunity to offer kumkum directly at Her feet, reconnecting me to that sacred devotion from years ago. The experience was profoundly emotional and spiritually fulfilling.

With a heart full of gratitude, I prayed that all these Divine Mothers—Satyamātalli, Gangammātalli, and the entire Śakti Parivāra—continue to protect us, guide us, and bless our future projects. May they lead us on this divine path, helping us establish temples, nurture Veda Pāṭhaśālās, and serve dharma with purity and devotion.

Above all, we seek their protection, grace, and divine guidance—that is the prayer that flows from our hearts.  🙏   
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Significance of Matangi/Shyamala Navaratri:

Matangi / Shyamala Navaratri is celebrated in the Magha masa. Her worship enhances communication, artistic skills (music, dance, poetry), and bestows knowledge, wealth, and prosperity, guiding devotees towards spiritual growth and self-realization.

She is the mystical, powerful form of Saraswati, representing inner knowledge, music, and the power of the spoken word (Naada). She is the Minister of Lalita Tripurasundari: Known as Mantrini. she serves as the advisor and attraction power (Akarshana Shakti) for the supreme goddess Lalita in the Srividya tradition. Her green complexion links her to the planet Mercury (Buddhi), signifying intelligence, intellect, and communication. 
   Benefits of Worship: Her worship is considered beneficial for those who are seeking to develop their creative skills or seeking success in artistic fields. The goddess is also associated with the power of speech and communication. She blesses her devotees with the ability to express themselves eloquently and persuasively.

 The puja is believed to provide protection from negative energy, evil spirits, and other forms of harm. Relief from problems: The puja is believed to bring relief from various problems such as health issues, financial difficulties and other troubles.

      Boosts success in studies, exams, job promotions, and business growth. Develops creativity, eloquence, musical talent, and proficiency in all 64 arts. Grants power, leadership, and control in political and life aspirations. Relieves troubles from Navagraha (nine planets) and other calamities, removing blocks in speech. Leads to inner peace, higher knowledge, self-realization, and fulfillment of desires. Brings wealth, material gain, happiness, and strengthens marital bonds. 

                     Like other Navratri, Shyamala Navratri also entails the divine nine nights to honor and celebrate the female shakti in the form of Goddess Shyamala or Matangi.

 
SRI MATREY NAMAHA !

   Sri Matangi / Shyamala (Gupta) Navaratri

 Monday, Jan 19 -Tuesday, Jan 27, 2026

A Divine Miracle on Kanuma Day: Yesterday, on the auspicious occasion of Kanuma, one of the sacred days of the Sankranti festival, we celebrated with great devotion at the Puttaparthi Veda Pāṭhaśālā.
As is our annual tradition, we prepared and cooked a large variety of food and offered it to our Grāma Devatā, praying for the protection of all our children from illnesses such as measles, chickenpox, and other diseases.

This offering is made every year with deep faith, seeking the Divine Mother’s grace and safeguarding blessings for the children.
As part of the tradition, we invited our washerman family, offered them the prasadam, new clothes, dakṣiṇā, and honored them with respect. Everything went beautifully and smoothly. We also performed Go Pūjā, filling the atmosphere with sacredness and joy.

In the evening, I went to seek the blessings of our Grāma Devatā, Śrī Satyamātalli of Puttaparthi. I offered her a sari, kumkum, bangles, turmeric, flowers, and other sacred items, and had a deeply fulfilling darśan. As I was about to leave the temple, the temple caretakers asked me to sit for a moment. I quietly sat inside the temple, unaware of what was about to unfold.
To my surprise and divine joy, Mother Satyamātalli called me back into the sanctum. She was graciously offered to me the very saree that had been adorned on the Goddess herself, saying that it was for my blessings and that I should take it and wear it. The sari had been tied to the idol and offered directly to Amman. Receiving it felt like an indescribable blessing, a moment filled with gratitude and humility.
Overwhelmed with devotion, I prayed silently and expressed my willingness to serve the temple in any way Mother desired. Immediately, the temple caretaker mentioned that for the upcoming Navarātri, they were planning to offer a Vīṇā to the idol of Satyamātalli and were looking for donations. Without hesitation, I asked about the cost and said, “Please do not ask anyone else. We will take complete responsibility for this offering.”
What made this moment even more divine was that from January 19th, Śyāmalā–Mātaṅgī Navarātri, a Gupta Navarātri, was about to begin. We had already planned to celebrate Navarātri both at our Pittsburgh Temple and at the Puttaparthi Veda Pāṭhaśālā, along with our Vedic students. Our teacher in Pittsburgh mentioned that the celebrations would follow the North Indian tradition, and I felt deeply that worship of the Divine Mother transcends all traditions.
Before we even began the Navarātri celebrations, it felt as though Mātaṅgī Devi, Mother Saraswati herself, had asked for a Vīṇā from us—from the Veda Pāṭhaśālā and through our hands. This felt like a powerful confirmation of Her grace and presence in our lives, and a reminder that we are always held within Her divine protection.
This was the first profound experience of the day.
As I was exiting the temple, I met Śrī Sūrya Nārāyaṇa Garu, who suggested that I also visit Gangammātalli, another powerful Grāma Devatā. When we reached the temple, the ladies managing it had already locked the doors and were preparing to leave. With humility, I approached them and said, “I have come because the Mother herself has called me. Is there any possibility for me to go in and offer my prayers?”
Moved by the moment, they immediately agreed and opened the temple especially for me. As I entered and began praying, I felt an overwhelming divine presence. The affection, compassion, and power of the Mother could be felt deeply—like a living, loving presence.

Inside, I noticed a large rock bearing the natural form of Gangamma, and I asked about it. They explained that it was the original, ancient form, while the installed idol was the newer consecrated one. With reverence, I requested permission to go down and take blessings from the old form, and they allowed me.

              Thursday Program 

     
Sri Shirdi Sai Arati (4) Seva 

9 am, 12 noon, 6 pm & 8 pm  

10.00 am  Sri Shirdi Sai Abhishekam   

11.00 am  Sri Shirdi Sai Homam     

 5.30 pm   Sai Sahasranama Archana       

 7.00 pm   SAI BHAJANS 

 8.00 pm   Sai Archana & Sej Arathi 

                     Dinner Prasadam   

"Serving Hands are dearer to GOD than praying lips"   - Sai Baba  

Annadanam in India      SPECIAL ANNADANAM 

Blessings to all the donors and supporters.  We are doing Annadanam from our Vedapatasala. 

We teamed up with local organizations to distribute food to the needy.   We plan to continue to support those in need. 

Donate generously and be part of the NARAYANA SEVA. 

Calendar of Events - January 2026

             Saturday & Sunday Program 

    
Sri Shirdi Sai Arati (4) Seva 

9 am, 12 noon, 6 pm & 7 pm  

10.00 am     Sri Shirdi Sai Abhishekam     
11.00 am     Sri Shirdi Sai Homam     

  1.00 pm   FREE Bhajan & Dholak classes   

  5.30 pm     Sai Sahasranama Archana       

  7.00 pm     Sai Archana  &   Sej Arathi 

                    Dinner Prasadam   

              SPECIAL Pujas 

10am Navagraha Abhishekam & All-day Archana 

11 am / 5.30pm Sri Satya Narayana Vratam 

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by appointment 

           Call temple at 412 374 9244. ​