Shirdi Sai Baba in US Postage Stamp With Hindu Deities

We have seen Sai Baba adoring many temples not only in India but also in various other countries of the globe. Last year we came to know about Indian postage stamps and envelopes bearing Sai Baba images. Now it is more pride for us to see our beloved Baba adoring US postage stamps too. My friend forwarded me a mail which contained this nice information which i am sharing with you all.

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About USA-POSTAGE.COM

Usa-postage.com an Atlanta based firm, brings you this innovative product totally customized for the Indian community.

We are proud to serve the Indian community in USA with postage that reflects its culture, heritage and religious beliefs.

Usa postage.com allows customers to put their favorite digital images on valid U.S. postage. The high-quality, adhesive-backed postage is produced using advanced printing technology within a short time frame. Use it for a wide variety of personal and business usages.

The company targets small businesses, home offices and individuals in the Indian community in USA.

We also try to encourage fund rising activity in the Indian community and temples across the USA. If you are looking for a fund rising program for your temple or a non–profit organization, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you with your program.

Usa-postage.com has created 7 spiritual designs targeted to the Indian community in the United States. For the first time, real U.S. postage depicting Sai baba, Lord Venkateshwara, Lakshmi, Murugan, Vinayaka, Shiva – Parvathi and Sri krishna is available on beautiful 20-stamp commemorative sheets. These are exclusive designs not available anywhere else.

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An Update :

Seven ‘stamps’ issued by a private company in the United States depicting Hindu gods and goddesses as well as the Sai Baba has stoked a controversy with claims and counter claims regarding whether they actually are postage stamps.

While the company behind the products has said they can be used as valid US postage stamps, apparently through a system that allows private firms to issue stamps with popular images on them, the stamps do not find any mention in the official US Postal Service (USPS) catalogue.

Hindu organisations in the US have welcomed the issuance of the ‘stamps’, carrying images of Sri Krishna, Shiva-Parvathi, Sai Baba, Murugan, Lord Venkateshwara, Vinayaka (Ganesh) and Lakshmi, but online debates are arguing whether they are ‘real’ postage stamps or not. Atlanta-based company USA-Postage. com, which has issued the ‘stamps’, says they are valid postage stamps.

“Usa-postage. com allows customers to put their favourite digital images on valid US postage. The high-quality, adhesive-backed postage is produced using advanced printing technology within a short timeframe,” the company says.

The ‘stamps’ have been customised for the Indian community in America and it is for the first time ‘real’ US postage is depicting the “exclusive designs” of deities, organisations like Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have claimed.

The ‘stamps’, priced at 44 cents each, can also be bought on a commemorative sheet priced at $18.99. “We are proud to serve the Indian community in USA with postage that reflects its culture, heritage and religious beliefs,” USA-Postage. com, which targets small businesses, home offices and individuals in the Indian community in the country, has said.

However, online debates, on websites like boardreader. com are questioning the claim of these being real postage stamps. “It is a novelty where anyone can have his or her photo and use it as a postal stamp, like in Franking machines where the logo can be replaced by any image of your choice and still the letter can travel to its destination” even as the USPS collects the revenues under a licensing system, one post argues.

Another post says, “I do not know what to make out of it but I can assure you that I am smelling a rat. Vishwa Hindu Parishad has spread the following news all across India that US government has issued postal stamps to facilitate the Indian community in the US (sic).”

Source - http://www.deccanherald.com/content/48165/us-stamps-hindu-deities-spark.html

The following information was also forwarded by a devotee : Sai Ram,

The U.S. Government did not release those stamps.

The stamps are a creation of a private business which creates customized stamps for customers.

They can be used for postage.


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Shirdi Sai Baba in US Postage Stamp With Hindu Deities

Change in Schedule of Shri Saibaba Samadhi Temple (Shirdi) during Eclipse on July 22, 2009

This is the notification which i found on Shirdi Sai Baba's Sansthan official website which relates to programmes which will be observed during Solar eclipse on July 22, 2009. Eclipse Period will be from 5:58 am to 7:20 am. During this time darshan queue will be stopped. So for those who make it to Samadhi Mandir main hall will be lucky enough to be present there for about one and half hour :)

TIME	RITUALS TO BE FOLLOWED
04.00 am	Temple will open
04.30 am	Kakad Aarti
04.55 am	Mangal Snan (Holy Bath)
05.35 am	"Shirdi Mazhe Pandharpur" Aarti
5:41am	Darshan queue will be stopped
5:58am to 7:20am	Reciting of Mantras by Sansthan`s Pujaris
7:25 am	Mangal Snan (Holy Bath) again
7:40am	"Shirdi Mazhe Pandharpur" Aarti, thereafter darshan will start

Source : http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/Main_Hindi/tender/eclipes/Solar_eclise220709.htm


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Change in Schedule of Shri Saibaba Samadhi Temple (Shirdi) during Eclipse on July 22, 2009

Laxmibai's 9 Coins in Chandigarh for Gurupoornima 2009

In Chandigarh`s "Shirdi Sai Samaj" Temple, Gurupurnima will be celebrated with lots of Gaiety as for the first time Baba`s Devotees in Chandigarh are going to be Blessed with the Darshan of the 9 silver Coins which were given to Laxmibai Shinde by Baba, just before he took Maha-Samadhi.

These 9 Coins are said to be the Nine fold Path of True Bhakti and are being brought directly from Shirdi Itself.

The address –
"Shirdi Sai Samaj Temple", Plot No.: 6, Sector 29 A, Chandigarh, Punjab

Programme –
07th July, 2009
05:00Am - The progamme will commence with Baba`s Aarti.
06:00Am – Baba`s Mangal Snan followed by Bhog.
08:00Am – Shri Sai Sat-Charitra & Sai Bhajans.
12:00 Noon – Aarti followed by Langar.
06:00Pm – Aarti followed by Tea.
Then Sai Bhajan Sandhya will start by Shri.Hamsar Hayatji.
09:00Pm – Bhog followed by Bhandara.

Credits : Sai Brother Rohitji


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Laxmibai's 9 Coins in Chandigarh for Gurupoornima 2009

Shirdi to get 200 Room Bhaktiniwas from Railways

12 June 2009, 02:58 hrs IST

By M.T. Correspondent, Shirdi

If travelling by train to Shirdi, you don't have to travel far for accommodation since Railway is building a 200 Room Accommodation Hotel at Sainagar railway station.

This has been declared by the Central Railway Minister K H Muniyappa. The Minister himself is a devotee of Sai Baba and he and his family are regular visitors in the Sai Temple at Shirdi.

Being a Road & Transport / Highways Development Union Minister in the previous government, on the request of AshokRao Kale, he had approved the project for building Four Bridges over Godavari River Near Kopergaon allocating a budget of Rs 30 Crore.

After being elected as the Railway Minister, K H Muniyappa immediately came to Shirdi to seek Saibaba's blessings.

During this visit, he visited the Shirdi Railway Station and while addressing the media guys there he said that since the station is important for devotees of Saibaba and a large number of devotees visit Shirdi throughout the year he would improve the frequency of trains as well as facilities in the station. Devotees face a lot of issues for accommodation and taking this into consideration Muniyappa declared that the railways would build a 200 room Accommodation campus along with the help of the Shirdi Sai Temple Committee.

A New Train service along this route Loni-Sangamner-Akola-Bhandardar a Dam was requested by the devotees for which the railways commented that they will check its feasibility and then decide on it.

Source - http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4646918.cms

MCCIA suggests introduction of Superfast Trains from Shirdi to Tirupati
29 Jun 2009, 0401 hrs IST, TNN

PUNE: Suggesting the introduction of new trains from Pune to important destinations across the country, the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) has also urged the railway ministry to take up new facilities for cargo movement and passenger amenities.

In a memorandum forwarded to railway minister Mamata Banerjee, the MCCIA has pointed out that the city, a major IT and BT hub and industrial centre, requires additional railway networking and services. Chairman of the railway, road traffic management committee of the MCCIA, Chandmal Parmar, said the suggestions are based on feedback received from citizens and commuters.

Besides suggesting improvement of connectivity between Pune and Mumbai, the MCCIA has pointed out the need for improving connectivity between Pune and Lonavla, and introducing shuttle services between Pune-Daund and Pune to Jejuri, Nira and Satara.

The memorandum has requested creation of separate terminals for suburban trains, and new terminals for fast trains between Pune-Lonavla and between Pune-Daund. It has also stated the need for rail connectivity to Rajgurunagar, where the proposed international airport is to be developed.

The MCCIA has asked for the introducing of a superfast Rajdhani train between Pune and New Delhi, besides introducing superfast trains to Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mangalore, Hubli, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Kanyakumari, and Rameshwaram via Coimbatore and Madurai.
It has also suggested introduction of intercity express to Kolhapur, Shatabdi express to Solapur and Surat, and superfast train between Shirdi and Tirupati. Similarly, it has urged for trains to Jaipur (via Ahmedabad), Jammu Tawi, and Faizabad, besides increasing frequency of the Ahimsa express, Pune-Nagpur Garib Rath, and Poorna express to Ernakulam.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4713474.cms

Credits : Article forwarded by Sai Brother Rohit ji


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Shirdi to get 200 Room Bhaktiniwas from Railways

Easy Donation Facility for NRI's by Shirdi Sansthan

In view to provide easy donation facility to devotees residing out of India, Shirdi Sansthan has started 'Payment Gateway Facility' through HDFC Bank.

Many Sai Devotees are ot able to go to Shird but they have desire to donate something to Baba in their hearts. So they send money through post, money order or any other method. But there is always a possibility of delay and other inconvinience of the amount reaching to Sansthan due to this medium of donation. Taking this inconvinience in light, Sansthan earlier started net banking transfer facility in banks like State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank. But only those devotees can avail the benefit of net banking who hold account in these banks. Thus Sansthan has started a facility for online donation through medium of payment gateway by HDFC Bank.

It was first used by Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh. All the amount collected in this gateway will be deposited in the account of Sansthan in State Bank of India on daily basis. The payee devotees will be sent dontation receitp and Udi Prasad by Sansthan. The most important benefit of this gateway is that any currency will be converted into equivalent Indian currency. By this gateway facility devotees can log on to Sansthan website and give online donation through any debit/credit card (including master card, visa card, american express card).

During the inaugration of this facility, Shri Harshavardhan Patil (Minister, Govt. of Maharashtra), Shri. Baba Saheb Vikhe Patil (Fourteenth Lok Sabha Member, Indian National Congress), Shri Manikrao Thakre (Chairman of Congress Committee of Mahashtra Region), Shri Jayant Sasane (Chairman of Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan), Shri Dr. Eknath Gondkar (Member of Shirdi Sansthan), Shri Suresh Vable, Shri Ashok Khambekar, Shri Sumitra Kote (Member of Shirdi Sansthan), Shri Kishore More (Member of Shirdi Sansthan), etc were present.

E-Donation Link in Shirdi Sansthan site : http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/donation/

Screenshots of Shirdi Sansthan E-Donation Webpage (Click on the picture to enlarge) :




© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Easy Donation Facility for NRI's by Shirdi Sansthan

Chavadi Procession - 100th Year Celebration at Shirdi

Any devotee going to Shirdi will first have darshan in Samadhi Mandir and then after devotees' step automatically proceeds to Dwarkamai and Chavadi. These two places give us feeling of Sai Baba's presence even today.

Actually, Chavadi means a place for discussion to give justice, but this Chavadi of Shirdi became a place of residence of God Incarnation - Sai Baba. Late Shri Nimbalkar has thrown some light on the reason why Baba started to sleep in Dwarkamai and Chavadi on every alternate day in his explainatory book of Shri Saitcharitra originally written by Hemadpant (Govindrao Dabholkar) in Marathi Language.

"Once due to heavy rain Dwarkamai was flooded with water and there was no dry space for Baba to sleep. So devotees took Baba to Chavadi which is situated nearby and Baba was taken back to Dwarkamai. Since then Baba started sleeping in Dwarkamai and Chavadi every alternate day."

Seeing this daily routine of Baba, from December 10, 1909, devotees started a tradition of taking a procession admist band and music from Dwarkamai to Chavadi. People used to clean lanes of Shirdi on the day on which Baba had to sleep in Chavadi. A mixture of cow dung, mud and water was sprinkled to prepare a uniform platform to draw rangoli. Torches were ignited on polls in lanes to enlighten Shirdi. Before chariot procession, devotees sang bhajans in Dwarkamai. Then Tatya Kote Patil would come to Dwarkamai and requested Baba to proceed to Chavadi. Without Tatya Baba would not stand up to go. Baba wore His regular Kafni on His body, had Sakta under His arm and carring some tobacco and His pipe and placing a small piece of cloth on His shoulder, Baba started for Chavadi. Tatya Kote Patil placed a embroidered Shela on Baba's shoulder. After that Baba Himself put some sticks in Dhuni to keep it burning the whole night and then Baba extinguished the lamp near Dhuni. With various sorts of music Baba started for Chavadi with His devotees. Devotees sang bhajans with melodious voice. The procession started with loud cries of "Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai" - "Victory Be Unto Sai"

Tatya Patil was on Baba's one side and Mhalasapati on the other. Villagers of Shirdi and guests of Shirdi participated in this procession. Procession was led by devotees who played sorts of music instruments followed by Bhajan Mandali. Fully adorned Baba's horse Shyamkarna was placed in third position and beautifully decorated Palanquin (Palkhi) followed it. When procession reached near Maruti Mandir, Baba used to halt there for some time. Baba used to look at Hanuman ji's idol and gestured something with His hands by moving them in various directions. Baba only knows the meaning of these strange gestures! After the procession reach Chavadi, Shej Arti was sung. At the time of Artis of Sant Jnaneshwar and Sant Tukaram, Sai Maa, Godly incarnation who came to this earth for welfare of this mankind, bowed Her head in praise. After arti was over, devotees returned to their homes. Baba slept in a room in Chavadi. A bhajan mandali used to accompany Baba in Chavadi. In the morning devotees would come and take Baba again to Dwarkamai. This was followed till Baba's Samadhi.

In the year 1937, Baba's devotee Shri Anna Saheb Chinchanikar gave donation for repairs of this Chavadi.

Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan has maintained this course of Chavadi Procession till today. Every thursday Palkhi Procession starts from Samadhi Mandir to Dwarkamai and from Dwarkamai it proceeds to Chavadi. Apart from thursdays, Sansthan organises Palkhi Procession on the first day of celebration of Ramnavami, Gurupoornima, Dashera (Punyatithi) and also on Mahashivratri and eleventh day of full moon phase of Ashadh month as per Hindu calender (July-August month as per English calendar). Thousands of devotees - local and from all over the world participate in this incredible procession and make their souls satisfied with cries of Baba's name with deep devotion. The path on which procession passes is dawned with mixture of cow dung, mud and water with beautiful rangolis drawn. Few fortunate married women perform arti of Palkhi. Many famous music bands participate in this procession to make the atmosphere submerged in music, which is another form of devotion.

A post giving full details of this Chavadi procession with video has been posted on this blog, so to avoid duplication I am not narrating it here. Readers can follow the link for the same.

This year i.e. on December 10, 2009, the tradition of Chavadi procession will be completing 100 years. In this context golden moments of this procession will be celebrated by Shirdi Sansthan. These golden moments were started by taking Baba's potrait and padukas on December 10, 2008.

On this day, in the morning Baba's portait and padukas were taken to Chavadi in a procession to Chavadi. Chairman of Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Shri Jayant Sasane, Dr. Eknath Gondkar and Shri Suresh Vabable carried Baba's protrait and Shri Ashok Khambekar and Shri Krishnachandra Pandey carried padukas in the procession to Chavadi. Shri Jayant Sasane and Shri. Rajshri Sasani participated in portrait and paduka pooja which was followed by Abhishek pooja.

Chavadi was decorated by colourful flowers which were provided by Shri Vijay Kote and colourful lights were provided by Dwarkamai Mandal of Bombay. Mass reading of Shri Sai Nath Stavan Manjari and Chapter 37 of Shri Sai Satcharitra was done.

To give more importance to this tradition and to honour the devotees (volunteers) who play musical instruments on every Thursday in Chavadi procession, Shri Jayant Sasane and Shri Rajshri Sasane honoured them with Shawl, Coconut and a pair of clothes. On this occasion Shri Kishore More and all the villagers of Shirdi were present in big number. In the context of completion of 100 years, various programmes will be undertaken by Shirdi Sansthan throughout the year. A camp of 'Art of Living' by Shri Ravishankar, Bhajan Sandhya and Parayan of Shri Sai Satcharitra are the few plans of Shirdi Sansthan for this coming year.

Related Post : Chavadi Procession - A Fuller Account with Video


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Chavadi Procession - 100th Year Celebration at Shirdi

Shirdi Passes Fund Hurdles

15 Mar 2009, 0205 hrs IST, Yogesh Naik, TNN

MUMBAI: The Shirdi makeover plan has hit a roadblock as the implementing agency, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), has not been given enough funds.

The money cleared by the government is just about enough for land acquisition and some minor road projects, a senior MSRDC official has said. The project will cost Rs 112 crore but the MSRDC has got only around Rs 28 crore.

The projects are to be funded from Shirdi Sansthan funds. But the law and judiciary department, which controls the funds, has raised objections saying the sansthan is a charitable organisation that cannot give money for infrastructure projects.

Shirdi Sansthan chairman Jayant Sasane admitted that there were some problems but the work would be completed by December.

A senior MSRDC official said nearly Rs 24 crore would be spent to acquire land for road widening, gardens, skywalks and other projects. "The funds were insufficient but they wanted us to start work. We insisted that the government must clear funds for a few projects as Congress and NCP ministers wanted to show that they had undertaken Shirdi's makeover. To start the project, we are taking up two road widening projects.''

The MSRDC is planning to make money from the commercial utilisation of five plots where they have planned malls. It is also planning a multi-layer car park and a 6-km skywalk around the temple.Cafetarias and waiting halls will also be built. The gardens will have amusement park-type facilities and joyrides for children.

The MSRDC will widen around 25 km of road in and around the city.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-4265377,prtpage-1.cms

© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Shirdi Passes Fund Hurdles

Shirdi Airport Project Details

Air Deccan, Jet and Indian likely to start operations to Shirdi

MADC in talks with NRIs in Dubai for charter flights - By Krupa Vora | Mumbai

Monday, August 13, 2007, 10:00 Hrs [IST]

Air Deccan, Jet Airways and Indian are likely to add Shirdi to their route networks as the airport gears up for operations, starting 2009. Shirdi is poised to have daily flights from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. Subsequently, charter flights from the Middle East region will be initiated at the airport owing to the huge demand from visitors. Group of NRIs based in Dubai is seeking to start charter operations to Shirdi. But, initially charters will be permitted to land once a week. Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC) will soon be initiating talks with the Bureau of Immigration Services and Ministry of Home Affairs for arrangement of immigration facilities at the airport.

"Initially, we are targeting a minimum of 10 flights a day. On a daily basis, Shirdi receives about 6,000 to 8,000 visitors, while the traffic on Thursday and Sunday increases to about 12,000 visitors," informs R C Sinha, Chairman and Managing Director, MADC. The land identified to construct the airport by MADC is 500 hectares, with a well-connected road network of about 13-14 kilometers from the famous shrine of Sai Baba. Investment for the airport project is between Rs 80 to Rs 100 crore. The airport will have a single airstrip of 3,200 meters in length by 45 meters in width, well equipped with night landing facilities and will be able to accommodate small aircraft. MADC will also concentrate on non-aviation income, where it will focus on developing four-star hotels, restaurants, shopping facilities, as well as transport facilities. In terms of transport services, MADC is planning to give locals displaced by the project, an opportunity to start taxi services. Initially, the airport will be managed by MADC and a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model may be considered later once the airport registers a profit.

MADC to set up trust to develop Shirdi Airport

Monday, August 25, 2008, 12:00 Hrs [IST]

Airport expected to start operations by March 2011 - By Krupa Vora | Mumbai

Land for Shirdi Airport, which is to be developed by Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC) has been identified at Kakdi village about 15 kms. from the Sai Baba shrine in Shirdi. MADC will develop the airport, which received approval from the Government of Maharashtra in June this year, under an unique model, whereby it will set up a trust, ‘Shri Sai Baba Airport Charitable Trust’ (SSBACT).

SSBACT will give MADC the rights to manage the airport once the airport is operational. The development of the airport will incur an investment of Rs 200 crore and is expected to begin operations by March 2011.

The SSBACT will have nine members comprising seven government officials and two private players. The government officials will include the Collector of Ahmednagar, Commissioner of Nashik, CEO of Sai Baba Temple Charitable Trust and heads of the various trade associations of Maharashtra. “The trust will be formed by the end of this month and the work on the airport will begin once the trust is formed,” informed R C Sinha, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC).

Acquisition of around 400 hectares of land needed for the airport will soon be started by the Ahmednagar Collector. For now, Aurangabad, 144 kilometres, or 90 miles away, remains the nearest airport.

As soon as the airport starts its operations, SSBACT will give MADC the rights to manage the airport. According to MADC sources, the work on the airport will start after the formation of the trust; it will be formed by the end of September 2008.

Interestingly, the trust can accept donations from the devotees and donor can benefit through tax exemptions. “We are currently awaiting approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Ministry of Defence. We will soon invite consultants for the airport design,” added Sinha.

The airport will be highly useful and give a boost to Shirdi, a popular pilgrim destination in the state. Shirdi receives close to 10,000 devotees on a daily basis and close to 15,000 to 20,000 devotees on Thursdays and Sundays. The airport will have a single airstrip of 3,200 metres in length by 45 metres in width, well equipped with night landing facilities and will be able to accommodate small aircraft. Plans are also afoot to start charter flights to Shirdi once the airport is operational.

Kingfisher Airlines offers an all inclusive fare for travel from Mumbai to Nashik

Thursday, February 05, 2009, 16:00 Hrs [IST]

By TBM Staff | Mumbai

Kingfisher Airlines has come up with a value proposition for travellers for its Mumbai-Nashik flights. The airline is offering an all inclusive fares starting at Rs 885 for travel from Nashik to Mumbai and Rs 883 from Mumbai to Nashik. Passengers can now avail these ‘Value fares’ by planning their travel in advance. According to a report in Business Wire India, the flight will leave Mumbai Airport at 5:50 am and arrive at Nashik at 6:40 am. The return flight will leave Nashik at 4:30 pm and arrive at Mumbai at 5:20 pm. Passengers from Nashik can now get onward connections to Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and London from Mumbai and it is now possible for Mumbai based passengers to visit Shirdi and return on the same day.


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Shirdi Airport Project Details

After Well-Equipped Railway Station, Sainagar Shirdi gets Airport

From time to time Shirdi updates and news are being posted on this blog. The very reason is that Shirdi and its presiding deity Sai Baba are in news since few days. All the details regarding "Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station, with video, it inaugration, train route and train timings can be found in few earlier posts. Now this is a quick update regarding few more infrastructure facilities, most prominent being construction of airport in Shirdi which was a tiny village one century ago.

Lucknow | Feb 06, 2009

Ashok Khambekar, Managing Trustee, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan (SSBS), Shirdi (Maharashtra) , who was here in Lucknow to announce Sai Bhakt Sammelan to be organised in Lucknow on March 1 with expected presence of over one lakh devotees, said that such Sammelans would be organised in different parts of the country as this year would mark completion of 100 years of Sai Baba's "Shobha Yatra" from Dwarkamai to Chavdi.

"This year on Dec 10, 100 years of the shobha yatra would be completed as it was first taken out in 1908," he said.

Khambekar said a Rs 303 crore plan had been drawn up for development of the Sai Baba temple at Shirdi under which An Airport, a Hospital & a Guest House would be built.

1. He said over 1,000 acres of land had been acquired by the Civil Aviation Ministry for construction of the airport at Kakde, about 15 kms from Shirdi. The airport would be completed in the next two years, he added.

2. A 334-room guest house costing Rs 17 crore was under construction while Sai Ashram, which could house 16 thousand devotees was being built at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

3. The super speciality hospital was being built at a cost of Rs 22 crore while Rs 35 crore was being spent to construct a "Prasadalaya" (a place where prasad is made) equipped with modern equipment.

About the programme being organised in Lucknow, a statue and paduka (shoes) of Sai Baba would be brought here from Shirdi and a pujan would be held on March 1 in which over one lakh devotees would participate.

"Besides the state Governor and Chief Minister, priests of over 15 Sai temples and people of different religions will be invited to the programme. A debate on national integration will also be held later in the day", Vice President of Shri Shirdi Sai Dham Trust, Lucknow Ajay Kumar Singh Aditya said.

Shri Sai Baba Mandir in Shirdi, Maharashtra received a record secret donations of Rs 81 crore cash, 120 kg gold and 440 kg silver in calendar year 2008.

"Secret donations received by the temple last year is a record in its history. We received Rs 60 crore cash, 104 kg gold and 235 kg silver in 2007 which rose to Rs 81 crore cash, 120 kg gold and 440 kg silver in 2008," Ashok Khambekar, Managing Trustee, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan (SSBS), Shirdi (Maharashtra) told reporters here.

Source : http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?653523


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... After Well-Equipped Railway Station, Sainagar Shirdi gets Airport

Shirdi Railway Inaugration and Train Details Updates

Since few days there are posts regarding Shirdi train. All the details are covered under the topic "Shirdi Train Details". Devotees can read them by linking the link. Here is the lastest update on this news.

Puntamba - Shirdi New Railway Line and New Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station was inaugrated by Shri Lalu Prasad Yaday, Honorable Union Minister of Railways on February 28, 2008. The invitation is atttached herewith. The name of the Station in Shirdi is "SAINAGAR" & the Train is "SHIRDI EXPRESS".

It will begin from : Train no.1333 - CST via Manmad to Puntamba and then
Train no.1334 - A Shuttle Train from Puntamba to Shirdi's "Sainagar" Station.

The train will leave CST at 10.55 p.m. and reach Shirdi at 10.30 a.m. the next day.
The return train will leave from Shirdi at 4.40 p.m. and reach CST at 4.25 a.m.
(via Dadar - Thane - Kalyan - Pune - Daund - Ahmednagar - Puntamba stations with 22 halts on the way) Please Note: The timings of this "Shirdi Express" train can be changed in future if required.

Now plans are also on, for connecting Delhi & other major Cities directly to Shirdi.

For Bookings - Apart from Authorised Travel Agents / Direct Booking / Travel websites, Online Bookings can also be made on the following website of Indian Railways -

http://www.irctc.co.in/ or

http://www.irctc.com/ or

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/index.html

Please Note : These websites have yet to be updated so there is a possibility that the route might be shown as CST- Manmad instead of CST - Puntamba or Shirdi.


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Shirdi Railway Inaugration and Train Details Updates

Shirdi Express to run from March 1, 2009

Recently there was a post about details regarding train to Shirdi. Also a video was posted covering Shirdi Station and platform scenes. Here is the latest update on same topic.

27 Feb 2009, 0330 hrs IST, Roana Maria Costa, TNN

MUMBAI: Thousands of devotees who flock to Shirdi to catch a glimpse of Sai Baba will be blessed with a direct train from Sunday. The train will leave CST at 10.55 pm and reach Shirdi at 10.30 am the next day.

The much-awaited service will be flagged off by Union railway minister Lalu Prasad. "The inaugural train will flagged off on Saturday at 3 pm. But it will be from Puntamba to Shirdi. Regular services will commence from Sunday,'' an official said.

"Putamba station is on the Manmad-Daund section of the CR. It is about 70 km from Manmad and about 20 km from Shirdi. Earlier, after reaching Puntamba the only way to get to Shirdi was by road. With the completion of the Puntamba-Shirdi rail project, pilgrims will be able to reach Shirdi without any break in journey,'' said chief PRO, CR, S C Mudgerikar. Initially, there would be just one service per day. "But depending on the demand, we can increase services subsequently, '' he added.

Even though the project was sanctioned in 2000-01 at a cost of Rs 30.22 crore, its execution got delayed. "Getting land from the state government took longer than expected,'' an official said.

Shirdi station will include two waiting rooms and a dormitory. "The building is aesthetically designed with a touch of local architecture. It will have a 500 metre-long platform to accommodate a 22-coach train,'' an official said. The entire project has been completed at a cost of Rs 78 crore.

From CST to temple town - About 12hours

Route - CST- Dadar- Thane- Kalyan- Pune- Daund- Ahmednagar- Puntamba-Shirdi

Distance - 457Km

Halts - 22

Bookings for the first train From Saturday 28th Feb'2009

Average ticket prices - Rs 130

Station to shrine - A 10-minute walk - Sainagar Shirdi railway station, just 2kms distance from Shri Sai Samadhi Temple, Shirdi, Maharashtra.

Routes planned -
Igatpuri - Nasik - Manmad - Puntamba - Shirdi - CST - Manmad - Puntamba - Shirdi

Coach composition - 1. AC three - tier,
2. three-tier non-AC,
3. general seating compartments
4. luggage-cum- seating compartment

Timings - Leaves CST at 10.55 pm reaches Shirdi at 10.30 am

Return train: Leaves Shirdi at 4.40 pm, reaches CST at 4.25 am

Source :  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/From-Sunday-Sai-devotees-can-take-a-train-to-Shirdi/articleshow/4197980.cms 


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>> Continue Reading... Shirdi Express to run from March 1, 2009

"SaiNagar Shirdi" Railway Station Video

I came across this video showing Sainagar Shirdi Railway station on youtube. I was very happy to see this video and quickly thought to post it. Recently there was a post giving information about Shirdi linked by rail on this blog. Very soon we are able to see the video of newly constructed Shirdi Railway station, this signifies that Baba's blessings on all of us are immense. This is a very good opportunity for all of us to watch new railway station of Shirdi while sitting at our homes. Thanks to Mistermathur to post the video at this early note and make our hearts feel the divine effect of being at Shirdi.

© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... "SaiNagar Shirdi" Railway Station Video

Sai Baba's Paduka Darshan Details in Panaji, Goa

Detailed mail about Sai Baba Paduka Darshan was circulated in yahoo groups by Sai Devotee Rohit and I have posted it here for the benefit of one and all.

Chief Minister to receive Sai Baba Padukas

PANJIM, FEB 20

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will receive the Padukas (sacred footwear) of Sai Baba at Patradevi on February 21, which will be displayed at Gymkhana Grounds, Campal, on February 22 for devotees to pay their respects.

The Sai Baba Saunsthan Trust, Shirdi, has planned to organise a Sai Baba Sammelan in Panjim with a view to commemorate the centenary of the weekly tradition of Sai Baba’s Palakhi (ceremonial palanquin procession) from Dwarkamai temple to the Chavadi (city gate) in Shirdi every Thursday.

The organisers are expecting around one lakh devotees to pay their respects and also made arrangements for a queue of 10,000 persons at a time in the pandal at the Panjim Gymkhana.

The chairman of the Sai Baba Paduka Darshan Sohala Samiti, Anil Counto, addressing a press conference here said that special arrangements have been made to display the Padukas in a pandal at Campal.

“The padukas would be received by the chief minister at Patradevi and thereafter would be received by the respective MLAs as the procession passes through the constituencies on the national highway,” Counto said adding “finally the padukas would be given a welcome in Panjim by Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar and Mayor Tony Rodrigues.”

“We expect nearly 1 lakh people from Goa as well as neighbouring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra to visit the “Paduka Darshan Sohala”, he added.

“Preparations are going on in full swing,” he said adding “the work of erecting the pandals, stages and barricading is complete and arrangements are being made to facilitate the visit of over one lakh devotees.”

Speaking further, Mr Counto said that the traditional Sai aartis including Kakad aarti, Sanj aarti and Shej aarti would be performed on February 22, besides making available Mahaprasad (holy meal) and laddoos from Shirdi to the visiting devotees adding, seating arrangements for senior citizens, volunteers to accompany the visiting physically challenged persons, drinking water facility, security, etc would be provided by the committee.

The Sai Bhajans would also be sung by well-known groups at the venue, he informed, appealing to the local bhajan troupes to join the celebrations and contact the committee, if interested in presenting Sai Bhajans.

Mr Counto said that the teachings of Shri Sai Baba are very much relevant in today?s times and go well with the secular nature of Goa. Sai Baba taught a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace and finally, devotion to God and Guru.

The sage has a large following of devotees from every religion. Mr Counto also appealed to the people to make contributions, even if they are token contributions, for the occasion and contact the committee for the same.

Source: http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=17565&cid=2

Police cover for Sai Baba paduka darshan

21 Feb 2009, 0345 hrs IST, TNN

PANAJI: Over a hundred private security guards and hundreds of policemen will provide security to ensure peace and order during the one-and-a-half- day Shirdi Sai Baba paduka darshan at Campal, Panaji.

Chairman of the Goa Pradesh Shree Sai Baba Paduka Darshan Sohala Samiti, Anil Counto, said that they are expecting over a lakh devotees to gather at the Bandodkar ground on Sunday, February 22, from all over Goa to catch a glimpse and pay their respects to the Sai Baba Paduka, which will arrive all the way from Shirdi.

Suresh Waable of the Saunsthan informed that the paduka will arrive in Goa on February 21at 4 pm, and will be welcomed by chief minister Digambar Kamat at Patradevi along with other cabinet ministers and MLAs.

On Sunday, the Paduka Darshan of Shirdi Sai Baba and Bhakti Sammelan will be organised at the grounds at Campal. Governor of Goa S S Sidhu and chief minister Digambar Kamat will be present for the ceremony.

Ashok Khambekar of the Shirdi Sai Saunstha said, "The paduka abhishek will take place on Sunday at 6 am. Thereafter, devotees will be allowed darshan up to 12 noon.. At 6 pm Saanj aarti will be performed and Sez aarti at 10.30 pm."

Dr Ekanth Gadekar said, "At 4.30 pm on February 22 devotees will be offered Mahaprasad. We have made arrangements for 10,000 to stand in a queue at one time for the paduka darshan and 25,000 will be accommodated in the pandal at a time during the darshan."

The event is being organised by the Shirdi Sai Saunstha and Goa Pradesh Shree Sai Baba Paduka Darshan Sohala Samiti to celebrate 100 years of the first Sai Baba palki or palanquin that travelled from Dwarka Mai to Chawdi in Shirdi in 1909.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Police_cover_for_Sai_Baba_paduka_darshan/articleshow/4163485%3Cbr.cms

Thousands turn out to worship Padukas

HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 22

Over one lakh devotees thronged the Panjim Gymkhana Grounds, Campal today to pay their respects to the Padukas (sacred footwear) of Sai Baba.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who received the Padukas at Patradevi, was the first to offer pooja at 5.45 am.

“Over 1 lakh people from Goa and neighbouring States of Karnataka and Maharashtra including politicians, industrialists and aam aadmi visited the “paduka darshan sohala”, said an organiser.

The day started with the traditional Sai aartis that included kakad aarti, sanj aarti and shej aarti, besides making available mahaprasad (holy meal) and laddoos from Shirdi to the visiting devotees.

Sai bhajans were also sung by well-known groups at the venue.

The teachings of Sai Baba are very much relevant even today and go well with the secular nature of Goa. Sai Baba taught a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace and finally, devotion to God and Guru.

The sage has a large following of devotees from every religion.

Seating arrangements for senior citizens, volunteers to accompany the visiting physically challenged persons, drinking water facility, security, etc were managed well by the organisers.

The Sai Baba Saunsthan Trust, Shirdi, has organised this sammelan in Panjim with a view to commemorate the centenary of the weekly tradition of Sai Baba’s Palakhi (ceremonial palanquin procession) from Dwarkamai temple to the Chavadi (city gate) in Shirdi every Thursday.

Source : http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=17634&cid=2

CM promises yatri niwas at Shirdi

23 Feb 2009, 0416 hrs IST, TNN

PANAJI: Chief minister, Digambar Kamat, promised a yatri niwas for Goan devotees in Shirdi, speaking at the Sai Baba Paduka darshan on Sunday.

Thousands began thronging to the pandal at Bandodkar stadium at Campal from 5.45 am on Sunday when the silver paduka of Shirdi Sai Baba arrived at the venue.

Digambar Kamat and his wife Asha Kamat, performed abhishek and pooja and offered their prayers, thereafter opening the paduka that had travelled all the way from Shirdi.

A large idol of Sai Baba towered over the stadium as faithfuls kept queuing up all day long at the Bandodkar stadium. The pandal set up to contain 25,000 devotees at a time did not seem big enough to accomodate the large number of people.

As twilight spread across the city, the area outside the stadium was converted into a pilgrimage with footpaths taken over by vendors with flowers and agarbatti for sale.

Among those present at the pooja in the morning were health minister Vishwajit Rane and businessmen Shrinivas Dempo, Dattaraj Salgaonkar and Anil Counto.

NRI commissioner, Eduardo Faliero, former MLA Pandurang Madkaikar and Pale MLA Pratap Gawas were among those that came to pay their respects at the silver paduka. Police personnel were seen lining the stadium boundaries through the day and vehicular traffic were finding it harder by evening to pass through the area outside the Bandodkar stadium.

At the Sai Melava 2009, held at 7 pm Anil Counto asked the chief minister to set up a yatri niwas at Shirdi for the benefit of devotees. And Kamat extended his support to the proposition.

"I will back the proposal if the Shirdi Sai Saunsthan helps us in the acquisition of the land. I will also see that the devotees are provided all the facilities at Shirdi. Bringing the paduka to Goa has given the aam aadmi here a rare opportunity. And I appreciate the organizers without whose support this was not possible."

Jayant Rao Sansane of the Shirdi Saunsthan said that an online service will be provided all the information on accomodation at Shirdi. He also promised to acquire land at Shirdi for the yatri niwas for Goans.

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/CM-promises-yatri-niwas-at-Shirdi/articleshow/4171915.cms


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Sai Baba's Paduka Darshan Details in Panaji, Goa

Shirdi Linked via Rail - A Great News for Sai Baba Devotee

Shirdi region of Maharashtra State now a days is been flocked by lakhs and lakhs of devotees from all over India. Non-residents have also not been an exception to this. Shirdi, where there was dearth of infrastructure facilities, electricity being major of them, half a century ago, has now been facilited by direct railway line connecting it to various parts of the country. This news flashed in Indian Express, a Leading newspaper of India and it has become a talk of the town for Sai Devotees like us. Here are complete details along with the source link.

The day is not far when thousands of Mumbai’s Shirdi Sai Baba devotees can directly reach Shirdi for darshan by an overnight rail journey. The work on the new Puntamba-Shirdi line has been completed. The Commissioner of Railway Safety will inspect the tracks on February 10 and the line is expected to be opened for railway traffic by the end of this month.

According to sources, the Railway Board has decided that Train No 1333, which goes to Manmad, will now go to Shirdi via Puntamba. The train, which departs from CST at 10.55 pm, is expected to reach Shirdi at 7.35 pm. In the return direction, it will leave Shirdi at night and reach Mumbai the next morning.

K K Sharma, chief administrative officer (construction), said: “All the major works have been completed. The final touches on the tracks and the station building at Shirdi are being done now.”

He said the Commissioner of Railway Safety’s inspection has been scheduled on February 10. “Hopefully, the line will be opened for traffic in February itself.”

Sources said painting and plaster works are underway at the Shirdi station. “Air-conditioners are being installed at many offices. Also, hectometre posts are being put up along the tracks. Work is also being done on rails to make it smooth so that trains may run smoothly even at high speed.”

The 17.5-km Puntamba-Shirdi stretch is a long-pending project, which started in December 2003. Railways required 103.8 hectares of land for the stretch. The proposals were submitted in 2001 and the work was sanctioned. The total cost of the project is Rs 78 crore.

Pilgrims’ gain

Shirdi is famous for being the abode of Shirdi Sai Baba. Several thousand pilgrims visit the town every day and the number reaches lakhs during festival season.

There is no railway link to Shirdi at present and pilgrims reach the town by road after alighting at Kopargaon, Manmad and Nashik Road railway stations. The new broad guage line, originating from Puntamba on Daund-Manmad route will provide direct rail link to Shirdi from all parts of the country.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/finally-a-rail-link-to-shirdi-from-manmad-v.../420996/


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Shirdi Linked via Rail - A Great News for Sai Baba Devotee

Walls of Sai Baba temple in Shirdi adorned with gold sheets

Here I came across another great news for Sai Devotees over internet. Our Beloved Sai Baba's Samadhi Mandir's walls are adorned with gold sheets and a fuller description is as given below:

The four walls surrounding the statue of Shirdi Sai Baba have been adorned with gold sheets weighing 50 kg and embossed with pictures of the 20th century saint. The sheets mounted over the walls, prepared using about 50 kg gold, 50kg bronze and about 250 kg copper, have been donated to the temple's trust by a Hyderabad-based businessman Adinarayana Reddy, a Sai Sansthan trustee told. Bangalore-based artist Raja Algar who has embossed the sheets with pictures depicting the saint, six in all, has been working on it since the past four months, he said.

Algar has worked on the designs of many temples including the Tirupati Balaji in Andhra Pradesh, he said. In 2008 Reddy had donated the golden throne on which the Sai Baba now sits, after his wife Sulochana had a dream in which the saint asked her to get it made.

The throne which costs close to Rs 90 crore was made using 100 kg gold. It was also prepared by Algar.

The temple, the second richest in the country after Tirupati Balaji, see 25 per cent increase in the number of devotees each year, the trustee said. Shirdi Sai Baba temple has collected Rs 81 crore in cash, 120 kg of gold and 440 kg of silver in the form of donations during the year 2008, he added.


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Walls of Sai Baba temple in Shirdi adorned with gold sheets

Shirdi Sai Baba - Second Richest After Tirupati Balaji

Yes, its true. I came across this news few minutes ago and quickly thought to share with you all. The famous temple of Shirdi of Maharashtra is now second richest in the country in income terms after Balaji Temple in Tirupati. The income of Tirupati Balaji has reached approximately to Rs. 1000 crores as per trusted sources. Still exact figure is yet to be concluded.

In a statement given by Ashok Khambekar, trustee of Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, in the year 2008 the temple collected Rs. 81 crores cash, 920 Kgs of gold and 440 Kgs of silver as donations. A record making donation of Rs. 4.15 crores has been collected in short duration from December 29, 2008 to January 6, 2009. The temple collected about 104 Kgs gold, 235 Kgs silver and Rs. 60 crores cash during the year 2007 says Khambekar.

Sai Baba Sansthan was formed in 1992 and had an annual budget of Rs. 200 crores which is used in constructing new buildings and roads near Shirdi. Multi speciality hospital and Prasadalay has been constructed and run by Sansthan on grand scale.


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Shirdi Sai Baba - Second Richest After Tirupati Balaji

Sai Baba's Open Eye - A Cover Story

I received a mail from Sai Devotee which I am copy pasting for you all. Before proceeding further I would like to give a brief introduction about the write up. I received a call on my mobile yesterday (July 18, 2008, Thursday and Gurupoornima) to watch India Tv from a local Sai Devotee. It was being telecasted that Sai Baba's idol had opened Its eye in Bangalore. Though I missed the starting part, I was lucky to watch the idol which was from Bangalore. I was wondering as to how should I get this write up prepared and other details, but Baba was behind me I think and I got the mail from Sai Devotee Mohan Dwivedi. He has even sent the photograph of the idol which is uploaded.

BANGALORE: Hundreds of people descended on a merchant's house in Bangalore on Friday to witness what they believe is a miracle - the Shirdi Sai Baba idol is purported to have opened its left eye.

The frenzy was such that police had to be called in to control the surging crowds.

After reports of Ganapati idols drinking milk and the recent story of a bleeding Christ, the Sai Baba 'miracle' too saw both the devout and the curious rushing to the house.Door No. 7, Chitra Block, Gavipuram Guttahalli, which, till the other day, was a non-descript residence of phenol merchant Babu, suddenly turned into a pilgrimage centre.

With devotees queuing up to have a glimpse of the statue, the area wore a festive look with small-time traders trying to make a fast buck by selling prasadam and Baba's idols! The devotee couple Babu (45) and his wife Lakshmi took the marble idol to clean on Wednesday evening to prepare for the Thursday puja. The idol had some black mark on its left chin and the couple's son Dhrupad, who was cleaning the eye, suddenly felt some change in the idol - the eyelash seemed moving. The devotees were astounded and stopped the cleaning work.

On Thursday morning, they found the left eye of Baba had opened. Thursday being a day to worship Baba, the couple, along with their neighbours, performed puja.The news flashed on Friday morning and by afternoon, the crowds multiplied "We had gone to Shirdi a year ago from where we bought this marble idol. It is a miracle that Baba opened his eye on Guru Poornima Day to give us darshan. It has been very difficult to control the crowd as people are queuing up to see the miracle. So we had to inform the police and arrange for bandobast," said Drupad, a II PU student. There was also a huge flow of cash as the devotees put "dakshine" (cash offering to God) after the darshan.

"I am a staunch Sai Baba devotee and never had witnessed such a miracle. The idol looked like as if Baba was looking at me...I cannot forget this day," said Swamy Narayan, a resident of Hanumanthanagar, with tears in his eyes.Policemen from two stations - Kempe Gowdanagar and Hanumanthanagar - were deployed near the house along with Hoysala patrolling teams from Bangalore South. "More than 1,500 people had gathered and the crowd was maddening. Our concern was maintaining peace", he said.


© Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories

>> Continue Reading... Sai Baba's Open Eye - A Cover Story