Shirdi Sai Baba is an Indian Saint who respected both Hinduism and Islamism. He wants both Hindus and Muslims to be united and to be cooperative among each other. He is regarded as an avatar of Lord Dattatreya. He preached the importance of self realization. He lived in Shirdi for several years and attained Mahasamadhi in Shirdi on 1918. He lived a complete life only for the sake of his Bhaktas. He has performed many miracles during his life time and even after his Mahasamadhi.
Today lot of people worship Saibaba in India as well as from all over the world. He cured many diseases of his devotees by taking the devotees wounds and diseases on him. He lived a life by begging even after people regarded him as a Sathguru. He never allowed luxuries and comforts in his life.
He was welcomed by Mahalsapathi of Shirdi who was the priest of Kandoba Temple and who regarded Baba as an incarnation of god. He was living with Baba as a disciple to him and he has done lot of duties to him.
In course of time, lot of followers were there and began praising Baba. Sai baba was also criticized by several people, and they tried to vacate him from Shirdi. Sai baba never shown any enimity with those who caused sufferings to him. Rather than, he has shown his kindness on them.
He treated all the people alike, without distinguishing them from any caste, creed or religion. He has prepared food from his own hands and distributed among the people of Shirdi. He has touched the feet of Leprosy affected people and relieved them from their sins.
He has chanted quoran as well as Ram Naam. His origins are unknown. He is a holy and kind hearted saint. He is well known for his simplicity. He encouraged doing annadanam and explained the importance of doing annadanam to people. He himself done it several times. He treated human beings and animals as alike.
Today, lakhs of devotees are visiting Shirdi, especially during his Mahasamadhi day which falls of Vijaya Dasami festival. He is revered as a great Indian and kind hearted saint. His teachings are very simple and easy. His teachings acted as a right way for his devotees. Through these, devotees were directed towards the path of salvation. Sai Baba's teaching combined elements of Hinduism and Islam. His teachings are based on love, forgiveness and devotion to god.
His life history and teaching are available in several Sai books. One famous book is Sai Sat Charitha. If we sincerely read this book for several times, our prayers will get answered and our miseries and sorrows will come to an end.
Sai baba can be worshipped by offering shawl and flowers to him. Apart from Shirdi, several temples are there for him in and around India. In Chennai, Mylapore Sai baba temple is a famous one. It can be regarded as ‘Southern Shirdi’ . I have offered rice bags weighing 5 kgs and 10 kgs and also shawls to him. During Thursdays, there will be a large crowd in the temple. My nearby saibaba temple is Agaram Sai Temple,Chennai. Saibaba will be very much pleased by offering annadanam to poor people. In most of the Sai temples, afternoon annadanam is provided to all the devotees. Mostly it will be sambar rice and curd rice and in some places it will differ. The devotees who take sai prasadam will be relieved from their diseases in course of time and will lead a happy and healthy life.
JAI SAIRAM.
