Shirdi Sai Baba is revered as the supreme god. Shirdi is regarded as a spiritual site for Hindus and Muslims. Nowadays, all religious people, including orthodox Christians and Zoroastrians, began to adore Shirdi’s Sai Baba. Shri Sai Baba was born in the year 1835 to a Brahmin couple named Patri in the Nizam kingdom of British India.
When his parents handed him up to the fakir when he was five years old, Baba stated his statements in his dying days. The date of birth, however, remains unknown to the rest of the world. Many communities claim Baba belongs to their community, but none of them have been confirmed. Meanwhile, if you are wondering about a trip to Shirdi, browse Tripbeam to Grab cheap flight tickets from USA to India and explore the life history, religious views and miracles that inspire millions of devotees towards Shirdi Sai Baba.
Life of Shirdi Sai Baba
Baba arrived in the village of Shirdi in Maharashtra at the age of 16. People were amazed to see a young boy deeply meditating under a Neem tree, abstaining from food and water for days. It sparked curiosity among the villagers. Bayajabai, the wife of the village chief, started bringing food to Baba, who eventually began treating her as his mother. Mhalspati, the village chief and priest, once possessed by Lord Khandoba, identified Baba as a holy spirit.
Baba instructed the villagers to dig under the Neem tree, where they discovered a stone slab with oil lamps glowing without oil or air. Nearby, they found a vessel resembling a cow’s mouth on a wooden table, which Baba explained was his guru’s meditation site. He advised them to worship the tree and leave it untouched, a tradition upheld to this day.
Despite facing physical harm from some villagers who thought him mad, Baba spent three years in Shirdi before leaving for a year. Upon his return in 1858, he took shelter under the Neem tree, later shifting to a nearby mosque where he maintained a sacred fire called dhuni. Baba gave visitors sacred ash that possesses healing properties.
Baba participated in religious festivals, cooked for devotees, and entertained them with religious songs and dances. Over time, his popularity grew, attracting more visitors to Shirdi.
Religious View Of Sai Baba Of Shirdi
Baba rejected orthodoxy in Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, defending a simple way of life. He encouraged chanting holy words and reading respective sacred books while observing Hindu rituals and permitting Muslims to perform Namaz and read the Quran during festivals.
His famous saying “Sabka Malik Ek” (“One God governs all”) and frequent utterance of “Allah Malik” (“God is King”) underscored his belief in the universal nature of divinity.
Devotees and Disciples Of Shirdi Sai Baba
Mahalsapati, a temple priest, is regarded as Sai Baba of Shirdi’s first devotee. Initially, his followers were a few locals and some from other parts of India. Today, Sai Baba’s devotees number in the millions worldwide, including in English-speaking nations.
Initially, Hindus worshipped Sai Baba with rituals, while Muslims revered him as a saint. Later, Christians and Zoroastrians also began to worship him. The Shirdi Sai movement is particularly famous in the Caribbean and English-speaking countries.
It is said that Meher Baba, who was born into a Zoroastrian family. He came to Sai Baba for a procession in Shirdi one day. But history books and articles do not reveal this fact.
Million of devotees of Sai Baba are famous: Upasani Maharaj of Sakori, Nana Saheb Chandorkar, Ganapathy Rao Sahasrabuddhe, Tatya Patil, Baija Mai Kote Patil, Haji Abdul Baba, Madhav Rao Deshpande, Govind.
Last Years of Sai Baba
Sai Baba passed away in the 20th century, specifically on October 15, 1918, at Dwarkamai. Devotees worship him and stick to his ideology as real followers. Millions of people visit his tomb every year to get his blessings in the Sai Baba Temple Shirdi. Shree Samadhi Mandir is his tomb, and it is one of the most visited pilgrimages in India. You can purchase affordable Flights tickets from USA to Mumbai to visit this holy site in India.
Also Read: Akshaya Tritya: Timeless Significance And Modern Celebrations
