| Where is Shirdi? | | | | The most striking feature of this sacred abode of Sri |
| In the central state of Maharashtra on the Indian | | | | Sai's Guru is the neem tree at the center of the |
| subcontinent lies the small village of Shirdi some 200 | | | | Gurusthan around which the entire structure was built. |
| miles east of Mumbai (Bombay) and 130 miles north of | | | | Inside the temple the trunk of the tree is encased in a |
| Pune. It is a rather dry dusty region on a plateau | | | | wire mesh for protection. It was under this tree that Sri |
| several hundred feet above sea level. The elevation | | | | Sai rested for many lengthy hours during his initial |
| gives it a more even and stable climate than many | | | | years of stay in Shirdi. Hence all Sai devotees attach a |
| places on the lower plains. | | | | great deal of importance to the tree and revere it as |
| In the Rahata Taluka of Ahmednagar District, Shirdi is | | | | sacred. Although neem leaves are said to contain a |
| home to about 22,000 people and is the pilgrimage | | | | bitter taste, many devotees have commented that the |
| destination of a further eight to ten million a year. It is | | | | leaves of this tree are sweet. |
| said to be the most frequented place of pilgrimage in | | | | During Baba's lifetime, Gurusthan was completely open |
| India after Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. And why do | | | | and looked quite different from the fully paved and |
| people come to this dusty rural corner of India in such | | | | enclosed area it has now be done. |
| vast numbers? To seek the blessings of Sri Saibaba, | | | | More Detail visit : |
| as they have done for more than one hundred years! | | | | SAI BABA'S Wallpaper & Photo : |
| More Detail visit : | | | | |
| SAI BABA'S Wallpaper & Photo : | | | | Significance of Gurusthan |
| | | | Sri Sai always emphasized on the importance of the |
| History of Gurusthan | | | | Sadguru who would act as a guide along the path that |
| The gurusthan as Sri Sai described in His own words | | | | leads to the final destination. He always spoke |
| was the resting place of His Guru, He had called it His | | | | reverentially and lovingly about his Guru. Thus he |
| 'Holy Watan'. It was the very spot where Baba had | | | | regards the resting place of his Guru as sacred and |
| sat and meditated for days on end when He had first | | | | hallowed ground. Thus for all the Sai devotees who |
| come to Shirdi as a lad of merely 16 years. When a | | | | look upon Sai Baba as their Sadguru the Gurusthan |
| few of the local villagers took to digging near this area | | | | holds a double prominence. The neem tree inside the |
| Baba is said to have told them that it was the place | | | | Gurusthan symbolizes the loving grace that Sri Sai |
| wherein resided the Samadhi (tomb) of His guru. | | | | showers upon all those who seek refuge in him. Sai |
| However the references to Baba's Guru in the | | | | Baba once commented that his devotees are simply |
| Satcharitra being rather ambiguous, it was never | | | | resting in the shade of the neem tree while he bears |
| established as to whether Baba was referring to a | | | | the brunt of their deeds. Devotees visiting the |
| Guru in his present life or past. | | | | Gurusthan perform pradakshinas around as an |
| The present day Gurusthan is located just behind the | | | | indication of their veneration and also to seek asylum in |
| Samadhi Mandir of Sri Sai. The single room structure | | | | Baba's lap away from their difficulties. |
| faces the west and its’ three walls are built partly | | | | More Detail visit : |
| with bricks and partly with grills. A wooden door is | | | | SAI BABA'S Wallpaper & Photo : |
| placed in the front, which is fitted with a grill, which | | | | |
| enables the devotees to have darshan even when the | | | | Samadhi Mandir (The Shrine) |
| Gurusthan is closed. It was built in such a way as to | | | | This is the most important site in Shirdi and the main |
| resemble a small temple complete with the brass bell | | | | focus of Sai worship and devotion, for it is here that |
| hung outside. A few paces in front of the temple is a | | | | we find the samadhi (tomb) of Sri SaiBaba. Before he |
| wrought iron container on a pedestal which until | | | | left the body Baba promised, I shall be active and |
| recently had a burning fire kindled every day by | | | | vigorous even from the tomb and people are |
| embers brought from the main dhuni at the mosque, | | | | drawnfrom all over the globe to offer their prayers |
| but this is now done only on Thursdays and Fridays, | | | | here and take Baba's darshan. |
| when devotees also burn incense in it. Sri Sai Baba | | | | Baba took mahasamadhi in 1918. The shrine which |
| had said that whoever cleans this area and burns | | | | houses Baba's tomb was originally constructed as a |
| incense here on Thursdays and Fridays would be | | | | private house by a wealthy devotee. The building work |
| blessed by Allah (as Thursday is sacred to Hindus, and | | | | was started in 1915 after the devotee had been |
| Friday to Muslims). We assume that out of love and | | | | blessed by a vision of Baba and instructed to do so. |
| respect for his guru, Baba had wished the place to be | | | | The exquisite white marble statue of Baba which sits |
| venerated and kept clean. | | | | on the platform around the tomb was installed much |
| Inside this miniature temple is a small but life like statue | | | | later, in 1954. |
| of Sri Sai in marble as well as a photo of Him. The | | | | Arati is offered four times a day in front of the tomb |
| person who sculpted this statue is the grandson of the | | | | and abhishekam is performed in the early morning. |
| sculptor who brought to life the likeness of Baba in the | | | | Devotees may enter the Samadhi Mandir via the |
| Samadhi Mandir. Inside the temple in front of the statue | | | | Queue Complex through out the day until the night arati |
| is a set of small padukas (foot imprints) of Baba | | | | at 10 p.m., after which the shrine is closed. |
| carved in marble. | | | | |