Panchamukha Vishnu Ganapathi Dhyan Mandir – Five Head Ganapathi Seated on Serpent Adiseshu

• • Ahmednagar, Maharashtra • Tags:

Panchamukha Vishnu Ganapathi Dhyan Mandir is situated at Kankuri Village Road in Shirdi.

In the year 1965, Late R. S. Sharma from Hyderabad saw Shirdi Saibaba in a dream and requested the current temple. Thus in the year 2002, he built Panchamukha Vishnu Ganapathi Dhyan Mandir (Ph.: 02423-256510/257398).

The deity present within the temple is carved out of a single stone.

Close to the temple are Mata Annapurneshwari temple and Shri Abhaya Anjaneya Swamy.

From 6 morning till 8 night, the temple is open for devotees. 3 km is the distance from Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi.

Late R. S. Sharma was the Founder and Managing Trustee of Sri Gnana Sai Kendram (Ph.: 040-27642459), Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh).

Shri Upasani Kanya Kumari Sthan – Foundation Laid by Shri Upasani Maharaj

• • Ahmednagar, Maharashtra • Tags:
Shri Upasani Kanya Kumari Sthan, Sakori, Shirdi (Maharashtra, India)

Shri Upasani Kanya Kumari Sthan – 5 km approx. from Shirdi at Sakori – an ashram, an institution for Bramhacharin (unmarried) girls to learn Sanskrit (language), Vedas, and perform puja and Yagya.

Shri Upasani Maharaj was born on the 15th of May 1870 and came from Satana village near Nasik (Maharashtra) stayed at Lord Khandoba Mandir, Shirdi for four years with Mahalaspati – The priest of the temple, and later became the disciple of Saibaba.

In late 1917 he visited Sakori (a few km away from Lord Khandoba Mandir, Shirdi) and laid the foundation of an institution Shri Upasani Kanyakumari Sthan where young Bramhacharin girls could learn Sanskrit and Vedas.

Shri Upasani Maharaj’s first disciple was Godavari Mata (1914-1990). Godavari Mata was 10 years old when she started living in the ashram. She was born in Shegaon (the residence of Saint Gajanan Maharaj), Akola District (Maharashtra) on 24th December 1914.

After appointing Shri Sati Godavari Mataji as his spiritual successor Shri Upasani Maharaj attained samadhi in Sakori on the 24th of December 1941. Godavari Mata attains samadhi on the 11th of August 1990. She named no successor. Samadhi of Shri Upasani Maharaj and Godavari Mata is within the premises.

There is a yagna mandap (a hindu delubrum at which offerings are placed twice a day). Seven times a year during all major Hindu festivals such as Ram Navami, Guru Purnima, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc. yagna is performed.

It is said after visiting Sakori; Shirdi Yatra (tour) is completed.

There is a drumstick tree within the institution premises planted by Shri Upasani Maharaj. Lord Ganesha‘s visage can be seen which appeared miraculous. Devotees’ worship and wishes are granted. Dattatreya temple is opposite the Ashram.

And the message – This Place as Vaikuntha and The Glory of Intellect.

Lord Khandoba Temple – A favoured Place of Shirdi Sai Baba

• • Ahmednagar, Maharashtra • Tags:

Lord Khandoba Temple (Ph: 02423-258455) is situated west side of State Highway 10. Not too far from the Saibaba Temple.

Lord Khandoba is Lord Shiva‘s incarnation created by Lord Brahma to kill Mani and Mall two demons.

Mani and Mall two demons were killed by Lord Khandoba on Champa Shashasti day. Each year people celebrate Champa Shashasti day by walking over the coal fire present within Agni-Kund (fire-place) at Lord Khandoba temple premises. It is said after killing demons Lord Khandoba danced over the fire. Since that day the tradition has continued.

This year Champa Shashasti is on 12th December 2010.

Baingan ka bharta (eggplant dish), and Baajre ki roti (millet flour bread) are offered to Lord Khandoba on this special day.

Sai Baba while accompanying Chand Bhai baraat (wedding procession) stopped at Khandoba (Guru of Sai Baba) temple. Mhalsapati was the priest of the temple. On seeing Fakir within the temple premises, he said ‘Aao Sai’ and ‘Sai’ had been named. Since then Baba resided in *Dwarkamai bearing the name Sai. Mhalsapati later becomes the disciple of Sai Baba. Khandoba temple is a favored place of Sai Baba.

At Jejuri approx. 40 plus km from Pune (Maharashtra) there is a famous temple of Lord Khandoba which is supposed to be the origin of Lord Khandoba.

*Dwarkamai is situated within Sai Baba temple premises, Shirdi. Sai Baba stayed here for 60 years. The Shila i.e., stone where Saibaba used to sit is at Dwarkamai and the sacred fire lit by Baba is burning till-date. Baba used to give Udi i.e., ash to the devotees to solve their problems.

Knowledge enhanced – said I. Thanks to the priest for sharing the History of Lord Khandoba Temple. And the wish to visit Lord Khandoba Temple, Jejuri (Maharashtra). Will visit for sure – said I.

Click to know more about Khandoba Yatra.

About: Prime/Famous Devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba

• • Ahmednagar, Maharashtra • Tags:

There are uncountable numbers of famous devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba in the past and present but few are known and respected as Prime Devotees.

A display board and I at Dr. Gondkar Complex, next to Hotel Eshosans Palace, near Andhra Bank, Pimpalwadi Road, Shirdi.

Shailajamaa was present. She is the granddaughter of Laxmibai Shinde. Nine (9) coins were donated by Saibaba as Prasad to Laxmibai Shinde just before attaining samadhi on 15th October 1918 at Shirdi.

Baba arrived from Dhoop Kheda, Aurangabad along with Chand Bhai Baraat (wedding procession) and stayed at Shirdi.

Saibaba used to address Laxmibai Shinde as ‘Laxmimaa.’ The day Baba attain Samadhi all the big three festivals Muharram/Dussehra/Buddha Jayanti was on that day. Laxmibai used to serve Saibaba meals every day and on the last day, Baba donated nine coins (5 first And then 4 more) as his last Prasad to his faithful devotee Laxmibai. These coins are called Nav-vidha bhakti (the 9 forms of devotion to attain the Supreme Lord) and represent the nine forms of Goddess – Navadurga.

Laxmibai served Saibaba for 40-45 years with utmost devotion and care. In the year 1963, Laxmibai handed over these divine coins to her daughter-in-law and now the coins are with granddaughter Shailajamaa – daughter of Sonubai.

Shailajamaa was 16-17 years old when Laxmibai narrated her History. Currently, there is nobody left from the time of Saibaba as said by Shailajamaa. Arun Rao Gaikwad Patil – The great-grandson of Laxmibai Shinde is planning a temple at Shirdi in memory of Laxmibai And Sonubai.

Thank you Maa for narrating important history – said I.

Prayers with folded hands. Head down and finally Charan Sparsh (feet touching as respect to elders).

One more famous devotee house – Hotel Saish, Pimpalwadi Road, Shirdi. The hotel manager was present and on request, he requested one of his employees to guide us on the path towards a house behind the hotel within the same premises to have a darshan (glimpse) of batua (wallet) of Saibaba. The house is of Baijabai another prime devotee of Saibaba.

And finally Haji Abdul Baba’s hut within Saibaba temple premises.

Haji Abdul Baba was with Shri Sai Baba from 1889 to 1918.

He uses to read Quran every day to Sai Baba and use to perform all jobs given to him by Sai Baba.

In 1918 Shri Sai Baba took samadhi and Haji Abdul Baba undertook seva, archana and puja at Sai Baba’s Samadhi.

Hai Abdul Baba took samadhi in 1954.

Items given by Shri Sai Baba to Haji Abdul Baba and original photos are kept at this place for darshan.

Kins of Haji Abdul Baba now perform sewa (service) at this place.

(Source: Display Board)