Devotee Gifts Diamond Studded Gold Crown At Shirdi

Sai Baba

Devotee Gifts Diamond Studded Gold Crown At Shirdi
August 25th, 2009

Nashik: A devotee has donated a diamond-studded gold crown worth Rs 1.3 crore to Sri Sai Baba temple in Shirdi through a ‘gupta daan’ (secret donation).

The union minister, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, and his wife, Vrushali Deshmukh, on Monday handed over the crown to the temple in the presence of Saibaba Sansthan’s chairperson Jayant Sasane, deputy chairman Shankarrao Kolhe and others.

However, on the request of the devotee, hailing from Mumbai, the Sansthan has kept the donor’s name a secret.

Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust also cancelled its decision to take Shri Saibaba’s ‘paduka’ (metal-slippers) to the US by its trustees following strong opposition from the villagers of Shirdi, Sansthan sources said on Tuesday.

Deccan Chronicle Reference

World’s Largest Solar Steam System Comes Up In Shirdi

Sai Baba Of Shirdi

World’s Largest Solar Steam System Comes Up In Shirdi
Submitted by admin4 on 30 July 2009 – 6:49pm. India News Technology
By IANS,

Shirdi (Maharashtra) : Hindu and Muslim pilgrims visiting the shrine of Sai Baba in this town will be served food cooked with the help of a solar steam system, inaugurated by New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah Thursday, that officials say is the world’s largest.

The solar steam system can generate 3,500 kg of steam every day – enough to cook food for 20,000 people. It has been designed for cooking food for devotees visiting the shrine devoted to Sai Baba, a 19th century Sufi saint who was revered by Hindus and Muslims alike.

The total cost of the new system at Shirdi, some 90 km from Nashik, is estimated at Rs.1.33 crore for which a subsidy of Rs.58.4 lakh has been provided by the new and renewable energy ministry.

The system will result in annual savings of 100,000 kg of cooking gas. It has been designed in such a way that it will generate steam for cooking even in the absence of electricity to run the feed water pump for circulating water in the system.

The ministry offers support of up to 50 percent of the cost of such systems set up by non-profit bodies and up to 35 percent cost support to profit making bodies.

“Over 40 systems covering a dish area of about 12,000 sq metre have been supported by the ministry so far for various applications, though the major application is cooking only,” an official statement said.

Some of the large solar steam cooking systems installed include those at Mount Abu in Rajasthan for serving 10,000 people every day, and at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and Satyabhama university in Chennai, which cater to about 15,000 people a day.

Reference

Ashadi Ekadashi

Sathya Sai Baba

Ashadi Ekadashi
Veda Chanting Procession and Hindustani Musical Concert
Posted on 2nd July @ 0015 hrs IST

Ashadi Ekadashi, one of the most auspicious days in the Maratta vernacular calendar brings the legacy of Maharashtra along with the state’s devotional fervour for her presiding deity, Lord Vittal Rakumai of Pandarpur. In fact, Ashadi is the day, when lakhs and lakhs of Varkaris from all parts of the country, especially from the state of Maharashtra throng the spiritual capital of the state, Pandarpur to have darshan and blessings of their chosen deity, Vittal Rakumai.

Ashadi Ekadashi marks the beginning of the Chaturmasa and ends with Kaarathik Ekadashi. It is celebrated during the months of June-July, known as Ashada Shukla Paksha in the vernacular calendar. People consider the two eleventh days, “Ekadashi”, of every month to be of special significance. The eleventh day of Ashadi is known as the great Ekadashi or Maha Ekadashi. This is the day on which people go on walking in huge processions to the Abode of Lord Vittala in Pandharpur, which is popularly known as Vaarkarari Sampradaya. This is a time honoured cult and an important landmark in the colourful history in the state of Maharashtra. According to historians devotees have been performing Vaari long before the advent of Sant Jnaneshwar in the 13th century and the current practice of carrying the paadukas of the saint in a palki from the Samadhi of the saint to Pandarpur for the holy darshan of Lord Vittala was started by the son of Sant Thukkaram by name Sant Narayan Maharaj in 1685.

Like the previous years at Prasanthi Nilayam, a large contingent of devotees from the twin states of Maharashtra and Goa arrived at Prashanti Nilayam to celebrate Ashadi Ekadashi in the Divine Presence of Sathya Sai Baba. The celebrations that began this morning would conclude on 3rd July 2009, the day of Ashadi Ekadashi. Bhagawan was accorded a traditional welcome with Poornakumbham by Veda chanting Bal Vikas children and Youth. Chanting of the Vedas in unison by about 300 people, young and the old surcharged the atmosphere with divine vibrations. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba listened to their Vedic chants for about an hour before retiring for the session.

Speaking on the preparations and the hard work put in by about 300 people ranging from 8 to 72 years of age in learning the Vedic Mantras, one of the core member of the group who is also a former student of Bhagawan Sri Satya SaiBaba, said that Veda chanting classes started in the scorching summer month of April in the twin states of Maharashtra and Goa. The classes were held in different parts of these two States, namely, Nagpur, Akola, Amaravati, Goa, Sholapur, Parbani, Bhiwandi, Thane, different parts of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Nasik and Pune. The classes would commence at 11 a.m. and would go on till 8 p.m. in the night; such was the dedication of the group, said the leader. The group members were supplied with Veda Mantra books and CD. At each and every stage of their learning, Bhagawan’s presence could be felt. Speaking on a wonderful experience, the leader said that on one of these classes which was held in a temple, there was a secluded cloud cover over the temple which proved that Bhagawan’s unseen hand was guiding and guarding them. After the primary preparations, combined practice sessions for the whole group were held in Dharmakshetra, Mumbai.

Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu (May all the beings of all the worlds be happy!). Peace and welfare of the world was their motto. Even the Samana Suktam, which they chanted at the end of the morning session speaks of Unity, Purity and Divinity, said the team member.

The programme for the evening session was a Hindustani classical concert by Kalapini Komkali, the daughter and disciple of Pandit Kumar Gandharva and Vidushi Smt. Vasundhara Komkali.

Pt. Kumar Gandharva was a Hindustani classical singer, famous for his unique vocal style and innovative genius. The name Kumar Gandharva was a title given to him when he was a child prodigy; a Gandharva is a god of music in Hindu mythology. Kalapini could be said to possess an Alto just a little husky but true as a blade. Her Akar is perhaps the closest yet to that of Kumar Gandharva, a magical mixture of the five vowels that make language ring true and unforgettable. She uses much the same technique her father used to do, that lets you hear the Swara as part of the Raga and the Swara also as pure Swara kindled separately and individually.

Smt. Kalapini, after offering her obeisance to Bhagawan Shree Sathya Sai Baba said that all the songs that she was going to sing during her concert were sung by her late father Pt. Kumar Gandharva. Beginning with a Tukaram Abhang: “Lakshmi Vallabha …”, the songs of Smt. Kalapini grew from strength to strength both in terms of tenor, pitch and clarity. Singing in her booming voice Kabir Das’s Nirgun Pad, “Sunta Hai …” Nirgun Pad is a form of devotional song which believes in formless God. After singing a Mira Bhajan she concluded the concert with a Gorakhnath Bhajan. Bhagawan Baba blessed the singer by materialising a chain and presented her with a Sari. The accompanying artistes were also presented with clothes by Bhagawan.

It was the turn of the students of the University to take over; they not only sang bhajans in tandem, but also sang solo songs. When Bhagawan asked a student to sing a Hindi song, he sang the evergreen composition, “Hey O’ Vitthale Bhakta Jana Vatsale …” with such beauty and mellifluousness that the entire audience was enraptured at the devotional height combined with artistry. At the end, Prasadam was distributed to the entire congregation and Arati was offered to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at 6.30 p.m. before He retired to His “Divine Abode”, Yajur Mandiram.

Reference

Thousands Of Sai Baba Devotees Receive Anna Dana

Sai Baba Of Shirdi

Thousands Of Sai Baba Devotees Receive Anna Dana
Shirdi (Maharashtra), Wed, 18 Mar 2009 ANI

Tens of thousands of devotees of Sai Baba were recently given Anna Dana at the annual prasadalaya function here, taking forward a tradition first started by the Sai Baba himself.

Devotees accepted the delicious prasad at a nominal rate.

Sources at the Shree Sai Baba Sansthan Trust said, nearly 1.5 crore devotees benefited from the prasad and the meals that were served.

The trust spends Rs.25 crore annually on the prasadlaya. The donation is considered very valuable in today’s age, which is known as KALYUG in the Hindu mythological context.

According to the trust, one should constantly endeavor to donate and help the needy, especially those who are suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

Legend has it that Sai Baba used to feed the hungry in his own unique way, taking the whole process to a spiritual plane.

He used to prepare the food himself, and ground the spices on a grinding stone. He also used to purchase foodgrains that were to be cooked and subsequently distributed by him personally.

The trust is really a place of faith for all Sai Baba devotees. They relish their food, which can be procured for as little as Rs.5 per person and Rs.2 for a child.

On any given normal day, 35,000 to 40,000 devotees attend the activities at the Sai Baba Trust. During occasions like festivals and vacations, the number goes up to 70,000 or 80,000.

One hall can accommodate up to 5,000 devotees, and a meal often includes servings of rice, roti, dal, two vegetables and a sweetmeat.

Free provision of food is given to the poor, blind, the physically challenged and hermits.

The prasadalaya purchases the foodgrains once a year, and it includes 9000 quintals of wheat, 5,500 quintals of rice, 6,500 quintals of besan, 9,500 quintals of sugar, and 11,000 quintals of tur dal, besides 6,200 quintals of vegetables which are stored in the cold storage of the trust. Another 2000 quintals of food grains is also purchased every year.

The prasadalaya operates for twelve hours every day and has 474 workers, 404 of whom are permanent.

The prasadalaya is the largest of its kind in India. A one storeyed building which has been built on seven acres of land at a cost of Rs.20 crores. (ANI)

News Track India Reference

Unity Of Faith For Harmony

Unity Of Faith For Harmony
Posted: Mar 13, 2009 at 1712 hrs IST

Today’s terror is one of the biggest tormentors throughout the world and music artistes like to spread the message of peace through music. Keeping in mind the motto of ‘World Peace’ through music, an evening of Indian Classical music was organised recently by Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation and the Sri Sathya Sai University at Sri Satya Sai Auditorium, New Delhi, where renowned sitar player Shubhendra Rao, cello player Saskia Rao and shehnai player Sanjeev Shankar enthralled the audience.

During the programme, they presented five compositions in which Shubhendra and Saskia presented two of them followed by a jugalbandi of Sanjeev and Shubhendra on three compositions. Apart from this Shubhendra and Saskia presented a Greek composition, while the duo of Sanjeev and Shubhendra presented Indian Folk. During the concert a Hindi Baul song was also presented, which was applauded by the audience. In between the various compositions, a jugalbandi of Sanjeev-Shubhendra in Mishra Khamaaj had the audience on their toes.

Dedicated to world peace, the programme also had four religious gurus, whose presence certainly gave the strong message of ‘Faith in Unity’.

Tata Indicom’s Mirchi Music Awards
To celebrate excellence and felicitate the deserving artistes in the music industry, Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM, in association with TATA Indicom, announced its first music awards, the Mirchi Music Awards.

Scheduled for March 28, 2009, Tata Indicom Mirchi Music Awards will witness the best of the music talent getting crowned. The selection of the winners has been done by an august jury led by the chairman Javed Akhtar. The other luminaries include Prasoon Joshi, Anu Malik, Kailash Kher, Kavita Krishnamurthy-Subramaniam, Kunal Kohli, Lalit Pandit, Louis Banks, Ramesh Sippy, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Shankar Mahadevan, Sadhana Sargam, Suresh Wadkar and Sonu Niigaam.

Making the announcement, Prashant Panday, CEO, ENIL said, “Many music awards are organised every year in different parts of the world to recognise the contributions of the music fraternity. This has been missing in India. Mirchi being synonymous with radio and music, we wanted to give back to the music industry. Hence, the Tata Indicom Mirchi Music Awards”

Universal Music-Zee Marathi’s Pancharatna
Universal Music India and Zee Marathi have joined hands to come up with a string of albums showcasing the rich tradition of music in Maharashtra. Pancharatna stands tall with its efforts in taking Maharashtra’s young, budding talent to the true music lovers across the country. The idea was conceived keeping in mind the immense talent that has emerged from Maharashtra from Lata Mangeshkar, Pt Bhimsen Joshi and Suresh Wadkar to today’s Swapnil Bandodkar, Bela Shende and Avadhoot Gupte.

Music has been an integral part of Maharashtrian culture. The youth even today is inclined to the cultural heritage of the local music that offers diverse genres ranging from classical and folk to rock. To add to this, Universal Music has joined hands with Zee Marathi to make this content available to the audiences in the form on audio CDs, DVDs, VCDs and MP3-CDs at attractive prices.

The first album series is a compilation of some of the great performances by Zee Marathi’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs Kartiki Gaikawad, Rohit Raut, Arya Ambekar, Prathmesh Laghate and Mugdha Vaishampayan.

Screen India Reference

Shirdi Sai Baba Body To Take Action Against Duplicates

Sai Baba Of Shirdi

Shirdi Sai Baba Body To Take Action Against Duplicates
Published: February 5,2009

Lucknow , Feb 5 Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi (Maharashtra) will take legal action against all those who exploit Sai Baba‘s name by constructing “duplicate samadhi (mausoleum)” and putting up his “paduka (shoes)” in different parts of the country.

“We will be taking legal action against all those who have made temples in the name of Shri Baba and also made his samadhi and put his paduka there. Baba took samadhi in Shirdi on Oct 15, 1918. This is the place where his samadhi and original paduka (shoes wore by Sai Baba) exists,” Managing Trustee Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi (Maharashtra) Ashok Khambekar told PTI here.

He said that the organisation did not have any objection to shrines dedicated to Sai Baba but claiming that they were his samadhi and paduka” was not fair.

He said that that it had also come to their notice that some people claim themselves to be scion (descendent) of Sai Baba and earn money.

Indopia Reference