Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Mumbai

The temple of Sai Baba in the town of Shirdi is an important pilgrimage site. On average, the temple receives more than 25,000 devotees every day.
This town is said to be the home of Sai Baba, where he arrived in the mid of the 19th century and stayed there for 60 years. The temple is the resting place of his earthly remains. Today, people visit this temple for its spiritual beauty and serenity.
Location of Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
This temple is located in the town of Shirdi of Ahmednagar of Maharashtra.
History of Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
Sai Baba visited Shirdi and stay back in the village teaching, preaching and praying for several decades. Upon his request, after his death, the villagers buried his mortal remains in a designated place and built the Samadhi Mandir on it.
A large marble statue of Sai Baba in sitting position is constructed right next to the Samadhi in 1954.
The temple holding his tomb was constructed at a large private house, which was built when he was alive. Sai Baba planted saplings around the home and watered them. The house was used as a rest home for the saint and it was built by a multimillionaire from Nagpur, Gopalrao Booty.
When the saint fell ill, he stayed back in the house and he was buried in the house, after his death. Later, the actual temple was built which was twice the size of the house.
Many changes were made to the temple over a period of time to accommodate the growing population.
Architecture of Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
Once you enter the temple, you will find a large hall filled with photographs of the life of Sai Baba and the temple. On the left to the hall, a small room holds memorabilia of the saint like his cooking utensils, stick and so on.
Walk past the hall, you will find the main idol and the Samadhi.
Right next to the temple, there is a large stone under a tree. It is said that Sai Baba used to sit on the stone to meditate and preach. A large portrait of the saint is placed on the stone.
A small lamp is kept burning since the construction of the temple. This region is called Dwarkamayee Masjid or Dwarkamai. This is the only religious site where you can find a mosque inside a temple.
You can find many items near the stone that was used by the saint. This structure has stone walls and an iron roof.
The temple complex also holds Chavadi which is a small platform under a neem tree. This is the place where Sai Baba rest, while he was alive. It is said that the leaves of this tree have a sweet taste.
Significance of Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
This temple is the main pilgrimage site of the followers of Sai Baba. This temple holds his earthly remains, items that he used every day and other articles of his possession.
The Samadhi is built with white marble and the main deity of the temple is built with Italian marble. The structure of the temple is specifically kept simple to express the simplicity adorned by the saint during this life.
The marble is chosen for the deity to express that the heart of the saint was as white as the Italian marble.
This temple is one of the richest in the country with abundant donations received from pilgrims and locals. Every week, the temple receives around INR 14 lakhs in just coins. In total cash, the temple receives 2-4 crores per week.
Followers
Sai Baba never associated himself with any religion. He did not appoint any spiritual heir or disciple. However, there are numerous followers and disciples of Sai Baba, who were famous spiritual figures.
The Hindus and Muslims believe that Sai Baba belongs to their religion.