visit to Shirdi

You come across a devotee who will ask you what places of importance are there to see, few talk about Baba living in Dwarakamai and few just have darshan of Mandir and are surprised it’s a Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba. All these come either with faith or to visit a famous shrine.

I came across a very simple devotee who just kept crying ‘Baba does not love me’ he wanted to know how to gain entry for Kakad Arati (waving of lights early morning in front of Deity). These are all the simple devotees. There are devotees who are knowledgeable about every aspect of Baba and are often irritated by these simpletons. There is no silence observed in reverence of the Deity we are visiting. The atmosphere sometimes is like an election campaigns people shouting at the top of their voice in praise of Baba. Some read aloud life sketch of Shri sainath in various languages, various compositions and Vishnu Sahasranama (1000 names of Lord Vishnu) recited aloud by few devotees. The whole atmosphere resemble of a mela (weekly bazaar's at villages). None think of it as a resting place of Shri Sainath and a temple where we bow our heads in reverence and talk in muted voices so as not to disturb the serene atmosphere of the Samadhi. It hardly matters to any the purpose of their visit and are busy jostling each other to get better view of Baba. Shradha Saburi are words never heard, the uniqueness of this Avtar imbibing human form is lost in the midst of festivities. There are also few devotees who are silently doing their sadhana or meditation; they go away during the rush and return when little calm is restored in Shirdi.  Importance is given to Guru purnima, processions, Utsavs and coming to grace the Guru on every purnima by few. This does not mean there is none who is living, trying to live like Shri Sainath’s child. There are many Ankitha children now also who are blessed for the task they undertake to keep Sai’s faith alive. Through their actions and life we are reminded of Baba amongst us and this practise is a blessing for few who know Baba is with us observing blessing us.