SAIBABA MANDIR, SHIRDI

SAIBABA MANDIR, SHIRDI

                                                       SAMADI MANDIR

I had booked on line for the Shej (night) arti at Saibaba Samadhi Mandhir of Shirdi on 30th June 2017.   I reached at 07.10 pm Shirdi from Pune by road and taken a room for stay in a hotel very near to the Mandir.    After freshening up, I went to the Mandir to find out the procedure for entry to arti. The reporting time was 09.30 pm to 10.15 pm and authorities on the gates informed that I have to proceed to Gate No.3 near Dwarakamai for the night darshan.  Devotees were let in Gate No.3 at 09.15 pm to a hall in first floor near Gurusthan.   At 10.25 pm devotees were shown the way to proceed to the samadhi mandhir and the arti with keertan was started at 10.45 pm. Around 200 people had gathered for the arti.   After that, at the exit, prasadham was given in a small packet but not Udhi.   

                                                       DWARAKAMAI

Next day, that is on Saturday, after having darshan at Shani Singhnapur, again I had time for going around the Saibaba Mandir.  I could go and pray at Chavadi, Gurusthan and also visit the temple sannidhis of Ganapati, Shani Bhagvan, Lord Siva and Dakshinamurthy Hanuman all near Gate No,2 and 3.   I also went to Dwarakamai and saw the eternal flame of Dhuni and also other belongings of Sree Saibaba kept in the premises.  The udhi is taken from this Dhuni and offered as Prasad for the devotees.  Dwarakamai is the place in which saibaba stayed after arriving to Shirdi and the devotees flock to this place to see the various items that Saibaba used such as the grinding stone and wooden vessel used for the Bhiksha.   The stone on which Saibaba used to sit also is available and also the eternal Dhuni.  Dwarakamai is to the right of entrance to samadhi mandir and is in two levels.  Here is the oil painting of Saibaba in a carved wooden shrine.  Before Baba's arrival in Shirdi, in the place of Dwarakamai was an old dilapidated mosque.  

                                                             CHAVADI

                                                ABDUL BABA'S COTTAGE

Gurusthan is the place where Saibaba sat under a Neem tree when he first arrived to Shirdi as a Balayogi and an ascetic.  This place is called as Gurusthan and a shrine has been constructed with the portrait of Saibaba.  Also, there is a marble statue on the side.  In front of the portrait, there is a shivalingam and Nandhi.   Short distance from here is Chavadi and Baba used to sleep alternatively in these two.  Opposite to Chavadi is the place of ardent devotee of Baba, haji Abdul baba. Lendibaug was looked after by Abdul Baba.  Chavadi consists of two parts and men and women have separate entry for the same.  

Devotee Laxmibai Shinde had played a major role in Baba's stay in Shirdi and she was blessed with nine silver coins before he left the mortal life.  She was present in his last moments and he took those coins from his Kafni.  She had served wholeheartedly Baba for 45 years at Shirdi.  Lot of interpretations are available for these coins handed over to Laxmibai by Baba and   they are available with the 5th descendents of the family.  The house in which Laxmibai lived also is a place to see...

                                               House of Laxmibai Shinde

Shri Khandoba Mandir

Khandoba Mandir is a little distance away from the Sai Mandir and on the front side of the temple.   Lord Khandoba was the tutelary deity for priest Mhalsapati and the priest is the one who first called baba as Yaa Sai meaning welcome Sai. When Baba wanted to stay in this temple, the priest refused feeling baba a muslim.  Thus Dwarakamai, the earlier dilapidated mosque became his residence.   But Baba asked Upasani Maharaj to stay in this temple for 4 years for spiritual upliftment.  A rectangular sand pit is available in front of the Khandoba, which was earlier being used for fire walking.  Now this is restricted for doing it only in a festival for a week known as Champa Shasti.  The mythological story behind this is connected with boon of immortality given by Brahma to two demons named Mal and Mani. With the passage of time after the boon, the demons became uncontrollable and were killing people.    Lord Siva took the form of Khandoba and fought with these demons and Champa his wife prayed for the victory of her husband.  On the sixth day, Champa defeated the demons and Champa gave a huge feast of Bharit (made of roasted brinjal and curd) and Bhakri (dish made out of a millet similar to roti).   This event is celebrated as Champa Shashti as tradition with walking over fire bed.  The dancing over the firebed was initially done by Khndoba after the defeating the demons.  The temple is open from 05.00 AM to 10.00 pm. 

                                                     Khandoba temple

Photographs are not allowed inside the premises of Saibaba Mandir and photographs have been taken outside the temple.    The mobile has to be surrendered at the spots provided near all the gates.   For people who would like to take entry passes, facilities are available to make IDs then and there and slots are offered for darshan.   Books on mandir are availble at the bookstall near Gate No.3.  For stay at Shirdi, the trust offers accommodation and can be booked online too.  Free van services are available from various places of stay.
Apart from the above, private hotel accommodation is available all over.  

I left Shirdi in the afternoon to Nasik by bus.