The Saibaba temple is situated in the heart of Shirdi
village spreading in approximately 200sqmts, attracting thousands of
pilgrims from across the world. The temple premises has several of
important sites connected to Saibaba of Shirdi that are venerated by all
the devotees. Here we are discussing the important sites inside the
complex of Shirdi Saibaba temple.
Khandoba Temple
Khandoba temple holds a special place in Shirdi, since this was the site
which saw the coming of Saibaba in his tender years dressed in kafni. It
is believed that when this young man, with flowing beards and sparkling
eyes, approached the temple premises as one of the guest of a wedding
party, the temple priest Mhalsapati greeted him as 'Ya Sai'. This name
led to the appellation and evolution of one of the most admired
spiritual gurus of India.
Earlier the temple lay on the periphery of the village and Khandoba was
the tutelary deity of the Mhalsapati family. Peaceful and secluded
ambience of the temple impressed Saibaba. At the entrance to the temple
is a large banyan tree which is mentioned in the 'Shri Sai Satcharitra'
as the place where the bullock cart halted. It is now commemorated with
a small shrine and 'padukas' or footwear of Saibaba lay at its base.
Gurusthan
Gurusthan means the place of the Guru. It is significant because here
Saibaba spent most of his time here, when he first came to Shirdi. It is
also the same place where, according to Saibaba, the tomb of his own
guru was located by the Neem tree. The neem tree is still extant in the
Gurusthan and there is also a pair of marble padukas on a pedestal, a
'Shivalinga' and a statue of Baba. A small dhuni on a stand is kept in
front of the shrine, which is lit on Thursday and Friday. Gurusthan is a
wonderful place sit and meditate in peace that generates an inner peace
leading to unison with Sai Baba.
Samadhi Mandir
Samadhi Mandir houses Saibaba's tomb and was originally constructed as a
wada (large private house) during Saibaba's last years. The Samadhi
Mandir has the statue of Saibaba all in white marble sitting in relaxed,
natural and majestic demeanor gazing at the millions of devotees who
throng the temple for his blessings.
The daily routine of the temple resumes at 5 in the morning with
Bhoopali, a morning song, and closes at 10 in the night after the Shej
aarati is sung. Only on three occasions the temple is kept open
overnight i.e. on Gurupurnima, Dassera, and Ramnavmi. Every Thursday and
on each festival, a Palakhi with Baba's photo is taken out from the
temple.
Dwarkamai
Dwarkamai in one of the cherished treasure troves of Shirdi associated
with Saibaba. When Shri Sai Baba came to Shridhi with a marriage
procession, he stayed at Dwarkamai and remained there till the very end
of his life. It is situated on the right of the entrance of Samadhi
Mandir. Here Saibaba used to heal the sufferers and the sick.
Dwarkamai used to be an old mosque in a very bad shape. Saibaba restored
its sanctity turning it into Dwarkamai. It has a portrait of Saibaba and
a big stone where he used to sit. Dwarkamai has the Kolamba, water pot
and the grinding stone associated with Saibaba. It also has a chariot
and a palkhi.
Chavadi
Chavadi literally means village office. In Shirdi Sai temple Chavadi is
located on the right side of Dwarkamai. Saibaba used to alternatively
sleep in Chavadi, during the last decades of his life. Chavadi is open
to devotees from 5am to 9pm. Inside the Chavadi there is large portrait
of Saibaba. It also has a wooden bed on which Saibaba was given his last
bath before passed away in Dwarkamai. The building also has the framed
photo of the cross-legged Saibaba which is taken out on procession on
festivals and each Sunday.
Lendi Gardens
Lendi is an important place where Saibaba used to spend his time
everyday. It has some tombs, a shrine and a perpetually burning lamp lit
by Saibaba and placed between the two trees he planted.
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