Blessed Birthday in Sai Baba's Town Shirdi

It has been a month long that any article was posted on this blessed blog. My apologies for the same. The reason for my absence and in-activeness is that when i am writing this post, i have lost my bachelor's degree :) Yes, your guesses are absolutely correct. I have stepped in new lease of life by marrying with my dear love and this new life started with our trip to Shirdi, getting special treatment and darshan on another special occasion i.e. my birthday.

Every Shirdi trip has been necessarily noted down, not as a blog owner, but as a devotee of Sai Baba, who doesn't want those divine memories to fade away with passage of time and age. Shirdi trips are full of divinity and words often fall short to narrate what we have experienced there. Initially, in early days of devotion, Shirdi trip and things to be done there were planned in advance. On actually being there, me and my family notice that Baba has His own plans for reception of His devotees and so, now except arrival and departure dates nothing is planned. Our welfare is Baba's will, so why to take pains in settling and clinging over our plans?

After our wedding on May 24, 2010, my hubby had planned Shirdi trip and more excitingly he decided to be present there on my birthday i.e. June 3, 2010. On my last Shirdi trip during Diwali, i had experienced a strange wave of emotion for a second at the time of my last darshan before leaving Shirdi. As i was stepping backwards in Samadhi Mandir on the departure day, not to miss even a single glimpse of Baba, i found myself in state of grief. My heart was crying at that last meeting with Baba, but this was usual with me each time i left Shirdi. This time it was something different. A feeling that i had never experienced before and which cannot be expressed in words had gathered and was piercing within me to stop my backward movements from Samadhi Mandir. Since it was something new and unexplainable i did not disclose it to anyone. It was afternoon when this happened and after leaving Samadhi Mandir and even Shirdi, i was experiencing grief within me and my state was the same till night that day. One day before leaving Shirdi, Panditji and renowned aarti singer of Samadhi Mandir was with us. When my parents informed him about my wedding date and that he was the first person with whom they were sharing the news and that too in Shirdi, panditji exclaimed, "Such news are shared at a girl's parents' place and Shirdi is no doubt her parent's place." These words were taken casually, but they were words of Baba which was proved during my recent visit to Shirdi.

The strange grief which i referred above was experienced again on my wedding day at the time of Bidai (a wedding ceremony in which the bride leaves her parents and goes with her husband). Thus now i understood that grief and the reason behind feeling so. Baba very well knew that it was my last trip to Shirdi before my wedding and the moments of grief were actually moments of Bidai with my God Father - Baba :(!!!

Now please allow me to narrate more divine experiences of this trip. We reached Shirdi on June 2, 2010 on divine call and booked ourselves at Sansthan's new guest house "Dwaravati". Without noting time, we rushed to Samadhi Mandir for darshan. Luckily we were in main hall during noon aarti. Ah! what a bliss!!! We were far behind that it was not possible for us to have even a glimpse of Baba although we were in Samadhi Mandir. But we were seated on the raised platform adjacent to Dwarkamai towards the end of Samadhi Mandir. Thus we were present both the places at the same time!!! The scene of noon arti during earlier times of Baba sporting in flesh and blood came in front of my eyes while chanting arti and when i had glimpse at Dwarkamai.

Towards sunset we had divine vibrations of Baba's strong presence in Dwarkamai and Chavadi. Next day was Thursday and also my birthday. I wished to have darshan of Baba during Kakad arti. An elderly devotee of Baba had advised me to attend Kakad arti in Dwarkamai. So adhering to this advice, we headed towards Dwarkamai for Kakad arti. Very few devotees were present in Dwarkamai and thus we grabbed our seats on divine floor of Dwarkamai. Baba was seen in CC Tv and His glory was fascinating. It was a sight of heaven to see Him being dressed. An old resident of Shirdi entered Dwarkamai and sat quietly in a corner after completion of Kakad arti and holy bath. Few lines of Marathi Bhajan were being chanted at that time. That devotee, without minding others, started singing bhajan in the same tone as being sung in Samadhi Mandir in loud voice. His devotion was clearly reflected in his singing and we were astonished to see him in such state of devotion.

It was Thursday and it seemed that Baba had invited many of His devotees that day. Thus we postponed our darshan till noon and decided to visit Sai Nagar railway station. Though railway station is not a rare sight, a railway station in Shirdi has its own charm and it was attracting me. It was cool and breezy place. Many auto-rickshaws with it drivers were queued in front of entrance. Generally we get to see people all around in crowded places like railway station, but i found all different spectacle in Baba's town. It was very silent and refreshing. Very few countable people were seen. More importantly, it was very much opposite from the sight of Samadhi Mandir premises, where we find devotees and devotees all around. We took some photographs there (photographs will be shared soon) went to prasadalay and took delicious yet simple and nutritious lunch. Since it was about noon now we thought of having darshan in Samadhi Mandir. Till we reached darshan queue, we found huge crowd. So we decided to sit in front of Mukh darshan. The platform in front of mukh darshan was not every crowded and we could sit making 90 degree angle to Baba's face. I was gazing Him sitting comfortably there. At first there were no words and no prayers. Only loving glances were reaching to my Babaji. Everyone passing nearby that window used to bow to Baba. Even the ones who had left Samdhi Mandir just few minutes ago, halted there, as if to give concluding salute. This distracted my speechless condition and i raised a question to Baba while seeing crowd gathered in front of mukh darshan, other crowd summed up in Samadhi Mandir, another crowd lined up in queue with eagerness of darshan in their eyes and many many others awaiting for divine call, "How do You manage to listen so many prayers at the same time?" Though i did not get any direct answer from Baba i found Him smiling at me. Thus i was assured to get response from any of His messenger. Though this seems to be small case, i observed that my patience was tested.

Now that it was Thursday and we were in Shirdi, we could not afford to miss Chavadi procession. We went to room, refreshed ourselves and started for Samadhi Mandir in evening at about 6:00 Pm in a hope to attend evening arti in front of mukh darshan. As we were leaving, it started raining making atmosphere cool, refreshing and more charging. We waited for the rain to stop and proceeded. But Lo! as soon as we reached near Dwarkamai it started raining heavily with lightning and thunder. We rushed for shelter in Abdul Baba's cottage and it rained for next 45 minutes. I was doubting that we would have to attend evening arti standing there only and Chavadi procession might get canceled. My doubting state of mind was read by Baba and rain stopped just few minutes before arti commenced. We took seats for arti in parayan hall where there was pin drop silence. We read one chapter of Shri Sai Satcharitra and left for Chavadi procession. We took our positions inside railing in front of gate of Samadhi Mandir from where the procession goes towards Dwarkamai (this gate remains closed at other times). Patiently we waited for the procession to pass from pre-determined path and simultaneously we could listen drums and other musical instruments being played at their fullest capacity in Samadhi Mandir. The procession reached near us and very quickly passed towards Dwarkamai. A small arti was sung there and procession headed towards Chavadi. Shirdi Maze Pandharpur and Sai Rehem Nazar Karna hymns were recited there. The procession then quickly returned to Samadhi Mandir. I was totally in tears to watch this heavenly spectacle for the first time and being a part of it. More importantly it was gift to me from Baba on my birthday, this is what i conclude.

Next day i.e. Friday, June 4, 2010 was the day of departure. Even after spending two full joyful days and still half day was left in Shirdi, i was upset. We first booked our return tickets and went in Samdhi Mandir for last darshan. We joined queue and were again lucky to attend that day's noon arti comfortably. At about 5:00 pm i went to Dwarkamai to ask for permission to leave, a request to call again soon and to bid lovable good bye to Sai Babaji and left for Baroda.

After i returned from Shirdi, while narrating divine experiences of Shirdi trip to Sai brother Rana Gill (lyricist and singer of Bhajan album Sai Tere Hazaaron Naam), i referred him the question which was earlier referred to Baba near Mukh Darshan. He, as per his opinion and views answered me, "Baba, as we have read about Him, has always taken Himself as disciple of of His Master (The Supreme One). He has and will not take any credit of being God Himself. He has been acting as God's (Maalik's) messenger from the day He landed on this earth in bodily form for welfare of mankind. Thus, He has to pass our prayers and wishes to His Master and His master in turn grant our wishes thus giving credit to Baba, "I found this answer quite satisfactory and i was paid for my patience, this is what i feel and conclude.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the above write up solely belong to the person who has uttered them and they are not shared with any intention to hurt anyone's feelings and/or to raise any dispute or contraversy.


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Blessed Birthday in Sai Baba's Town Shirdi

My Diwali Celebrations in Shirdi with Sai Baba

In prayer acknowledgment mail, i had hinted that i will be posting about Shirdi trip in detail and here it is.

We started from Baroda on October 16, 2009 and reached on October 17, 2009. Me and my family are fortunate enough to celebrate Diwali in Shirdi from last two years and this was the third year that we were present on the very same land where Baba lighted lamps with water on Diwali day. As per trend of Sai Baba of last two years rather say that as per planning of Baba, we get chance to enter Samadhi Mandir after lunch only. This reminds me of Baba's teaching not to worship any God with empty belly. This year too the same thing happened. We started for Samadhi Mandir at about 2 pm from hotel. This time we had planned to purchase an idol of Baba. Planning was such that before going to Samadhi Mandir, we should buy the idol so that we may get a chance to consecrate it in Samadhi Mandir. But Baba had planned something else which came on surface later. We roamed about in many shops, but no idol touch our hearts, so ultimately we decided to have darshan first.

It was about 2:45 pm when we entered Samadhi Mandir. We reached main hall within 10 minutes and had a blissful darshan. More astonishing fact was that glass covers were removed which could not be thought of on the festive day admist huge crowd. Anyways, Baba had favored us and we were very fortunate to touch Samadhi and consecrate few things in our possession. My mother had prepared laddoos ( made of Suji, grated coconut and sugar with dry fruits) to be offered to Baba on Diwali and Baba made it a point to allow us to offer our love to Him. Still we were not satisfied and we ran to experience similar bliss once again. My brother and cousin were lined up to submit covers containing money for Laxmi Pooja to be performed after sometime in Samadhi Mandir.

The second time darshan was also beyond expectations and we came out of Samadhi Mandir quite contented. As soon as we came out, my brother and cousin were finding way to join queue for darshan. Thus again with some more greed for darshan we joined them. But on the way towards darshan queue i (or Baba !!??) changed my mind and decided to go to Dwarkamai. So my father accompanied me while my mother, brother and cousin headed to Samadhi Mandir. We first went to Baba's Chavdi where He slept every alternate days. In ladies section nobody was there except me. It was a very enchanting experience. I touched walls of Chavdi and tried to visualize Chavdi Procession. I had fabulous opportunity to keep prayers at feet of Baba's picture in Chavdi. Next we went to Dwarkamai. There also the scene was the same. It was about 4:30 pm. Dwarkamai was very calm with very few countable devotees and all seemed to engrossed in Baba with their eyes closed. What a heavenly peace it was !!! We first had darshan of portrait kept in Dwarkamai and sat in open space in between. My father and me sat talking about Baba and were having glimpses of Samadhi Mandir in CC Tv attached there. Dwarkamai had a different aura and i sat starring at Baba's portrait and visualizing the days when Baba and His devotees played and rejoiced there. In between i again went up near portrait and then after to stone on which Baba used to sit to consecrate prayers.

Now, in Samadhi Mandir, due to Laxmi pooja, darshan queue was stopped but my mother, brother and cousin were fortunate enough to reach the main hall as they had entered well before. Now they had to wait there till Laxmi Pooja and Dhoop (evening) arti finished and me and my father had to sit in Dwarkamai as we had mutually decided to meet there. Oh what a wonderful chance did Baba gave !!! He made us sit in Dwarkamai and attend Laxmi Pooja and evening arti too. It was like earlier days were seen and experienced now. At about 7:15 pm after spending blissful hours at Baba's resting place, we left for Samadhi Mandir mukh darshan. After taking darshan and purchasing few books we asked permission from Baba to go and rest with a promise to come next day.

Next day had blessings in disguise for us and we just became mere onlookers. With intervention of one of my Sai brothers, i got a chance to meet an elderly Sai devotee who is living in Shirdi since many years. His thoughts really touched me which will be shared on this blog. We were so much interested in his talks that we forgot that we were with them since morning and it was noon. While departing, he showed us a 3D picture of Sai Baba sitting in Dwarkamai. It went inside our heart with first sight only. He showed us the shop from where we could get that portrait. We quickly went up there and asked for it. Meanwhile me and my mother had a glimpse of an idol lying in a corner. The idol was asked to be placed before us. Baba's face was smiling before us and we liked it a lot and it was decided to take this form of Baba with us. Thus while we were searching and roaming in many shops the previous day, Baba was waiting for us in the shop which we had never seen. Baba made His devotee a medium to reach to Him. Everything was settled within ten minutes and we purchased all other things to adorn Baba. So quickly we took Baba in Dwarkamai to be consecrated there. It was consecrated on the stone on which Baba used to sit. Although heavy rush was there in Dwarkamai, Baba facilitated an easy way for us. We were happy and contented with what Baba gave us. But Baba had much more for us in store. We are familiar with a priest of Samadhi Mandir and accidentally we met him. While exchanging Diwali greetings, we shared our happiness that Baba had come on His own to us. The priest was also happy to know that and he invited us to his home for formal pooja of Baba's idol. That was happiest moment for all of us. We quickly rushed to his place and we were very surprised to see their hospitality. The priest did pooja whole heartedly.

One more thing Baba had planned for us. On Diwali night due to some reasons we were not able to light lamps. Also crackers could not be lit. But how could Baba forget this. We had wax lamps with us and priest asked me to light all of them in courtyard around rangoli made by them. A good number of lamps make the sight very bright. But we did not have crackers with us while priest asked us to light some of them before Baba after pooja. We denied and priest's wife came from kitchen with two sparkles and gave us. She said, "Only these two are left for these two kids, i tried a lot to light them, but could not, now i understood Baba's leela". I was in tears to know that Baba had reserved such petty things for us, and did not make us feel something incomplete. We were served with delicious snacks which we took as prasad from Baba.

Admist all these things, departing time was nearing. We had to leave Shirdi on October 19, 2009. As a trend Shirdi gets crowded the very next day after Diwali so we were expecting only mukh darshan that day. But Baba allowed us to have darshan in Samadhi Mandir within our time limit. While asking for permission to leave and permission to call again i was totally in tears. I was feeling that i was leaving my heart and soul in Shirdi. Today also it makes me cry. We were in no mood to leave Shirdi, but our planning was to go to Nasik and from there to have darshan of Saptshringi Mata ji at Vani. I was reminded the incident from Sai Satcharitra about how Baba sends His pet devotee Shama to Vani inspite of his unwillingness. The same happened in our case too. Anyways this visit of Shirdi will be always in my memory.

Credits :
Photo Courtesy - Sai sister Astha ji


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... My Diwali Celebrations in Shirdi with Sai Baba

I was chosen by Sai Baba of Shirdi !!!

Few mails are pouring in to know my first encounter with Shirdi Sai Baba. Even more some devotees have requested the same on message board too!!! I can rightly understand curiosity of all readers to know how Baba's loved flowed on me and i was given chance to serve Him. Instead of replying individually to mails, i decided to post it here.

Well, in my case, as per my view point, complications in situations were less, but still the outcome is efficious and you all are witness to it. There is no doubt that it is Baba Who has chosen me, but before referring my case i would like to share how my parents were chosen first.

My father, as i have seen from childhood, was more attracted to Sai Baba. About thirty years from today he was working in Nasik and all of sudden he was invited by his friend to go to Shirdi. My father is devout person and love to read religious and spiritual books. Taking it as a mere pilgrimage he went there and was permanently attracted to Baba. With Baba's grace my father got good job and it was at that time he had been to Shirdi and offered shawl of flowers to Baba with small amount of money he carried with him.

We had few Sai Baba photographs in our house, but it did not attract me. Moreover my father did not teach, both me and my younger brother to worship only Sai Baba. He asked us to worship "God - The Almighty". Being Maharashtrains by caste we both were more or less devoted to Lord Ganeshji. Sai Baba books were none in our house except Sai Sagunupasana which my father bought from Shirdi before he got married. Today also it is with us. When I saw it first time it seemed to be very untidy, pages had turned out to be yellowish, somewhere there were scratches too. My father and even mother used to sing "Ananta Tula Te" everyday while offering their prayers. I also tried to learn it by heart and started singing along with them when i was in third or fourth std, but it was not done out of devotion to Baba. Just i was doing this to follow my parents. I remember my parents told me that they had taken me to Shirdi after my birth and in those days Shirdi was not so crowded like it is now. So poojariji took me and placed me in Baba's lap. Ah! i hope i could feel that moment and understand it importance consciously. Still i feel myself fortunate. The same was repeated with my brother too! We used to go to Shirdi off and on but memories have faded now. I have few memories when i went to Shirdi after my brother was born i.e only large petalled roses and dried grapes are now in my memory today :)

After that almost 14 years passed and we did not go to Shirdi. Though we brother and sister did not care much for that, it did not occur to my parents also that we must go to Shirdi. Rather the conclusion which I draw today is that Baba only did not call us.

I had completed my graduation and my brother was to give his first board exams i.e. 10th std. My mother met Sai Devotee who lives in our neighbourhood. Casual talks included few things about Sai Baba and also Sai Satcharitra. My mother borrowed Sai Satcharitra from her and started parayan. She did her first parayan only to seek help from Baba in my brother's studies. Let me tell you one thing that my brother is very brilliant in studies and thus we are always concerned to help him in his studies. Few more parayans followed this first one and every parayan was for the same purpose. After my brother's exams, we were called to Shirdi. It was a mere holiday for me and nothing was out of devotion. Though i used to go to Sai temple nearby my house on every Thursday when i was in 12th std, it was only for seeking help in studies :( One thing i remember here. We went to Shirdi in end of May month. Maharashtra is very hot during this time. While we were in queue i was much troubled due to hot weather, but when i reached main hall, i felt that weather has suddenly changed. It was very cool there. I felt so relaxed and refreshing. As it was Thursday i had fortune to touch Baba's paduka and satka. Still i was not attracted to Baba to a greater extent. While returning my mother purchased Sai Satcharitra in gujarati for herself. Now see how Baba pulled me towards Him.

My mother asked me to read Sai Satcharitra from Dashera of the year 2005. It was not regular with me and there was very little progress. Time headed and like this seven months passed. I enjoyed stories but it was difficult for me to make my mind, take the book in my hand and start reading. It was one Sunday of May 2005 and my parents were going to my relatives place. They asked me to accompany them. I was in no mood to go, so my mother gave me Sai Satcharitra and said, "Sit in front of Baba and read it. Finish it till Thursday". About 10 chapters were remaining but i was doubtful of completing it till Thursday. Unwillingly, again i sat down to read and said, "Baba if You wish i will read, but it must be a matter between us". It was summer time and my boss was on business tour to abroad. So we were not loaded with much work at that time. I had carried Sai Satcharitra with me to office. I was free for half an hour. After lunch i took Sai Satcharitra and went in a cabin to read it. My collegues, who are Maharashtrains and Sai devotees too, got to know about it.

Casually we started talking about Sai Baba and Sai Satcharitra. I said that it was somewhat difficult to read it in gujarati. If i could find Sai Satcharitra in english, it would be better for me. Suddenly my manager remembered that his brother-in-law was in Shirdi. He called him and my manager's brother-in-law had just came out of Sansthan's book stall!!! At that time mobiles were allowed in Samadhi Mandir premises if it were basic models. My manager passed on my message and also asked him to bring some Sai Satcharitra for himself too. It was about 3 - 3:30 PM when all this happened. Next day at about 11:30 AM, my manager's brother-in-law was in office with Sai Satcharitra in english for me. I was feeling so happy from within, but could not guess why it was so. As soon as i took it in my hands, i felt as if the book is saying "Read Me". I opened it and turned pages and a feeling of getting something which has been lost earlier gathered me. I readily completed Sai Satcharitra in gujarati on Thursday in greed to read the other one in english.

I started reading english Sai Satcharitra. I had not planned to do parayan. But i was finding it so interesting that i was moving with fast pace. Meanwhile a friend of mine had applied for home loan. But there was no ray of hope of getting it. It was third day of my reading. I took a vow (rather say a test) for completing Sai Satcharitra in a week's time and asked Baba to take care of my friend's loan application. On sixth day, i came to know that all possibilities of getting loan have failed. There was an inner confidence that even though one day is left, Baba will show miracle. On seventh day i quickly finished my parayan in morning and started for office. In the way i got call from my friend that loan was sanctioned with not only the applied amount but far more than that!!! It was a miracle for my friend, but for me it increased my faith in Baba and my journey on devotion's path had started.

Now that my faith in parayan of Sai Satcharitra and Sai Baba had increased immensely, i took up nine parayans for success of my brother as he was in 12th std. After completing nine parayans, we were called to Shirdi on Makar Sankranti (January 14, 2007). We had purchased a shawl to be consecrated at Baba's Samadhi. Due to festive season there was heavy rush. My mother gave shawl to poojariji. Before she could take shawl back from poojariji she had to move backwards due to push and pulls. I was behind my mother. She asked to stand in a corner and again she went in front of Samadhi to ask for shawl. Poojariji gave her shawl back with two small idols of Baba!!! My mother's happiness was on highest level, but we were in fix as to what we have to do with two idols of Baba. We felt that Baba had Himself come to us. The idol of Baba rather i prefer to call Baba took place in our shrine and we started worshipping. Till then we did not have Baba's idol in our house except an old framed black and white photograph of Baba.

On the other hand there were problems in my life, but my faith in Baba did not tremble instead all those situations and bad days helped me to get closer to Baba. My worship to Baba was not formal. But Baba had something else in His mind. On one wednesday night i had a dream. I had gone to a shop of pooja articles. It was early morning and the shop had just opened. A person was sweeping open space in front of the shop. The shop owner was fat person. I went inside and asked for mala (small necklace). He showed me and i liked one in red-yellow colour. Then i asked for khes (stoll). He said go outside many are hanging there. There were many long stolls and my Baba's idol was small. I showed by gesture that the idol is of so and so size, please show me stolls to fit that size, but he said he did not have. I purchased mala and went off. When i woke up i was happy and thought that Baba wants me to bring these two things for Him. It was thursday morning and i got ready for office before usual time to purchase these things. The shop which i saw in dream was located on road side from where i used to pass daily. Still it did not attract my attention anyday. But Baba showed me the shop in dream and everything happened as was seen in dream. I got small necklace but could not get stoll. In evening while returning home, i took a way from where i dont go anyday. I saw a shop of pooja articles and stopped there. I went inside and asked for stoll. To my surpise, it got stoll too on the same day i.e. Thursday!!! After that i started regular worship on Thursdays to Baba. Time passed by as sand in hand and unexpectedly i started blogs with help of "Sai Man" who himself came forward to help me. He instructed me in all respects technically and all my blogs are an outcome of his hard work and efforts behind me.

How i was titled "Sai Ki Deewani"

As you all know Baba has made me instrumental in Sai Bhajan album SAI TERE HAZAARON NAAM written and sung by Sai brother Rana Gill. Baba made us meet about one year ago. One day he landed on one of my blogs accidently while checking his mails. He saw much information there and thought in his mind "A person who passionately loves Sai Babaji can only do such a wonderful work". With Baba's grace and will, he called me up. He shared this thought with me also in our first conversation. I was surprised and happy about what he said. Till then nobody has exclaimed such words for me!!! I was known as "Sai Devotee" but this title was unique in itself and carried a deep meaning. Baba had planned a long way relationship between both of us and thus we started working for Him together. "Sai Man" instructed me technically and Sai brother Ranaji who is far away from technical aspects, instructed me in those areas which were essential to move forward in spiritual matters or say to lead a good life. Some time later i was searching for some screen name and also some good quote for Baba for my blogs for footer note. I thought so much on this, but could not reach any conclusion. It was not new for me that i take advices from Sai brother Rana Gill in many matters or sometimes it directly came to me without even asking!!! I shared my confusion with him and his immediate reply was "Use Sai Ki Deewani". I said, "First of all it is in Hindi and it looks proudy". He said, "No you go for this only. To trace out deep meaning from it, let devotees think over it twice". Also he gave me permission to use first line of one of his bhajans "Sai Teri Leela" as footer notes of all my blogs. My hearty thanks to him. Well, dear readers, now i presume that it is clear to you what made me call "Sai Ki Deewani". My belief is that it is Baba who is behind all scenes!!! My only prayer to Baba is to allow me to work for His cause in all my life and always love me as He does now :)


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... I was chosen by Sai Baba of Shirdi !!!

A Memorable Trip to Shirdi

There is always a deep urge to go to Shirdi in the heart of a true Sai Devotee. No matter what are the circumstances or which time of the year it may be, I always feel blessed if I am called to Shirdi. I am always waiting to go to Shirdi like a Chatak bird who waits for the rain to shower. In my opinion by visiting Shirdi we get the fruits of going on pilgrimage to four dhaams. Though Sai Baba is not seen in bodily form in Shirdi now, still His breath is present in the air of Shirdi. There is no end of longing for Darshan of Sai Baba in Shirdi. But only those go, who get Baba's call. Like last year, this year too I had a golden chance of celebrating Diwali in Shirdi with my parents, brother and cousin. I would now narrate a fuller account about my Shirdi Trip. It is very much for sure that Baba had planned every second of our trip and gradually I realised that all the links were connected. Why I sat to write about the trip after one and half month, I am unable to understand or explain. It was Baba's direct order to me.
Series of situations follow before and on going to Shirdi. Outwardly they seem to be normal happenings, but they are real miracles if thought deeply. Such situations followed us too before leaving for Shirdi. Baba took very much care from booking tickets to reaching Shirdi. We reached Shirdi on Diwali day i.e. October 28, 2008 at about 10:00 am. After refreshing ourselves we left for Samadhi Mandir at 11:30 am. Since it was time for Noon Arti and there was a long queue, we decided to first have lunch and then have darshan at leisure. I was reminded what Hemadpant had said in Sai Satcharitra "God is not attained with empty stomach" at that time.

Shirdi Sansthan has made very good arrangement for participating in Laxmi Pooja on Diwali day. Devotees who wish to participate in Laxmi Pooja have to submit a sealed envelope with his/her name, address and contact number in the hall adjacent to Mukh Darshan. So my father went to submit the envelope and there was a long queue. We four of us were waiting outside the exactly in front of the main exit gate of Samadhi Mandir. My brother was thirsty so he asked me accompany him near water tap. While he was going to drink the water, a security guard came and told us to go near Lendi Baug since the water was not cool and we may not like it. So went towards Lendi Baug and drank water. We also took Udi packets and started for the place where my mother and cousin were seated. We had to pass near Mukh Darshan and I stopped and got preliminary darshan of Baba. I was really surprised (rather happy) to see my Baba dressed in pink shawl. I request the readers to read another write up related to significance of pink colour and Baba's gift to me from here and to my surprise I was in the same pink dress!!! I was at once confirmed by Baba that it was None Other than Baba who had sent me that gift. This made me eager to go and meet Baba.

After repeated requests, my mother allowed me and my cousin to go in Samadhi Mandir alone. We just ran towards darshan gate and I wanted to buy four bouquet of roses for offering on behalf of four special persons. The vendor was willing to give me three bouquets for Rs. 10 but I said that I wanted four and he gave me readily without any arguement. I just rushed inside not minding my cousin left far behind me for paying money for bouquets. Though Baba was few metres away from me, it seemed to be large distance. So I tried to run as fast as I could and finally reached the main hall. Ah! Such a giant look of Baba I had! I looked at Him and felt as if He was smiling slightly and welcoming me. While standing in the queue I was in tears. I was thinking that Baba called me after one long year but gave me such a blissful darshan. I was speechless and was just gazing at Baba continously. There was pause in the moments of my legs but the flow of emotions was going on. I forgot the world outside and wished to climb the steps of Samadhi and sit in Baba's Charan Kamal. When my turn came I stood in front of Samadhi in a corner near Hundi and passed on few prayers which my Sai Brother and Sisters said me orally. I could remember nothing other than this!!! The security guard did not even asked me to finish off quickly, instead he requested to stand in a corner and make room for others to go. My cousin was behind me and we both stood there without uttering single word. Ten minutes passed by thus and we decided to leave. I did not want to loose a single second's sight of Baba so I started walking backwards. My cousin said me that my parents and brother were seen in the queue. I quickly joined them by crossing the rods. The same was done by my cousin hesitatingly. Again we had a wonderful darshan and left Samadhi Mandir highly satisfied. We then went to book stall of Sansthan to purchase Sai Satcharitra. We were proceeding towards Nand Deep and we saw our family friends coming towards us. The lady and her mother in law were going for Darshan and we all accompanied them on their recommendation. Once again we got a chance of Darshan. Thus for two hours we were in Samadhi Mandir in front of Baba. Today while so many devotees are turning up to Shirdi, they is no possibility of having Baba's darshan so easily, but Baba made it possible for us and this shows His grace and care. We did not even stand for half an hour in queue to have darshan. Baba drove us straight way and it seemed as if He had made VIP arrangements for us.

In the evening my family members and family friends were drawing rangoli and lighting lamps near Nand Deep as per the tradition. The crackers were bursting continously at their fullest capacity. The sight of colourful rockets made the sky shine brightly and also Shirdi was shinning with lamps and lighting all over. There seemed no difference between the sky and earth. Oh what a heavenly sight it was!!! Soon after that there was again flow of emotions and fulfillment of one more wish of mine. This has been posted as soon as I returned from Shirdi. I request readers to read it from here, to avoid this write up becoming too lengthy.

When I returned back my mother with our family friends were waiting. We all wished to go for Darshan but were not sure about the crowd. It was about 8:30 pm and since kids of our family friend are young, we were discussing whether to go inside or not. We did not notice any security guard listening us. He heard us speaking in Marathi and so he said us in Marathi that Mandir was vacant and we should go in. The glass cases around Samadhi were removed at that time and we had the fortune of touching Samadhi which passed wave of happiness in the hearts of all of us.
The next day we had no plan to go to attend Kakad Arti since we had pleasant darshan on Diwali day. I was awakened just few minutes before the Kakad Arti started, the reason being I had stomach ache. I could bear it, so I did not bother to wake my mother and just then Kakad Arti started. I heard whole Kakad Arti and at about 6 am when everything was silent as before I fell asleep. After one hour my mother woke me up and to my surprise the stomach ache had disappeared!!! In afternoon while we were searching where to submit Vastra for Baba, we came near Samadhi Mandir and asked a security guard. He directed us the way and also told that it was lunch time and the concerned official will return till 4 pm. So we thought to go to Samadhi Mandir and again we were informed by security guard that Mandir was vacant and we should go without wasting a single minute. Thus we got pleasant darshan once again without any push or pull. Drawing rangoli during Diwali in front of our houses is considered as an important ritual during Diwali as per Maharashtrain tradition, we were at Baba's home so we thought why not here also we draw rangoli outside the hotel, since it was our home and Holy Land of Shirdi. In the evening after taking permission from hotel authorities, we wrote 'Sai Teri Leela' with rangoli and arranged various lamps in the shape of a lamp as only Sai's Leelas were seen since we reached Shirdi and it is one of my favourite bhajans. I am attaching the snaps of the rangoli and lamps. Next day being Thursday and festive season devotees flocked like ants and every where devotees were seen. It is our practice that we offer everything we eat to Baba right from morning tea. As we were in Shirdi since two days, we decided to offer tea to Baba in Dwarkamai. Due to crowd we had to stand in queue for two long hours and by the time we reached in Dwarkamai hot tea became cold. Still the security guard allowed us to come forward not minding others and asked us to offer tea to Baba. Baba who is Loving God cares only for our feelings towards Him and longs for our love. We know very well that the cold tea was accepted by Him readily. We had pleasant darshan for two long days so we decided to leave Shirdi the same evening. Before ending let me list down few situations which are worth thinking and proves Leela of Baba.

1. Had my brother felt thirsty and had not the security guard asked us to go near Lendibaug, I could not get darshan of Baba through Mukh darshan and my heart would not felt urge to go quickly for darshan.

2. Had not that security guard advised us to go inside Samadhi Mandir, we wont be able to touch Samadhi of Baba.

3. Had not again the security guard advised us the next day, we could not get such a peaceful darshan.

4. If my stomach not have ached, I would not be able to listen Kakad Arti. Seeing all this, I really felt that Baba had planned each second and my heart spoke up Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai Ho!!!


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... A Memorable Trip to Shirdi

Sai Baba Meets in Shirdi

This is my and my family's experience when we went to Shirdi. Last year during Makar Sankranti (January 14, 2007) me and my family went to Shirdi. My mother had prepared Til and Gud Laddoos for the offering to Sai Baba. We attained Kakad Arti and Mangal Snan and then offered Prasad in the Samadhi Mandir. Then we distributed the Prasad at Dwarkamai and only two laddoos were left. One of my colleague had advised me to visit Baijabai's house and I wanted to go there. So we started walking from the opposite of Dwarkamai. We reached a place and from there Laxmibai's house was visible, but we were unaware about it. A Fakir Baba was sitting there and he told us that Laxmibai's house was in front of us. So went there and took the Darshan of the Holy Coins which Sai Baba gave to Laxmibai. We were overjoyed. But there was more to come.

The Fakir Baba now came with us on his own wish and showed us the house of Mhalsapatiji and even Madhavrao Deshpande's grandson house. My father wanted to give him money his noble deed. But he denied and said that he wanted food. Our food stuff was at hotel and it was a considerable distance from the place where we were. My mother was reminded of the laddoos and she gave them to him. After receiving the laddoos there was a great sense of satisfaction on his face and we felt as he was happy with what we gave him. Then we realised that the Fakir Baba was none other than our own Sai Baba and had accepted our Prasad by coming in person. This incident has proved that Sai Baba gives darshan to those who come to Shirdi as he only calls his them.


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Sai Baba Meets in Shirdi