AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF SAI DHAM :. Today, after it all started in November’09, Sai Dham is no longer the name of our house in which there is a Sai Mandir but vice versa. It’s a Sai Mandir in which we are lucky to be residing with Baba. We have tried our level best to give Baba and his devotees – a feel of Shirdi, his actual home. The Murti and the backdrop of the Mandir give you a glimpse of mini Shirdi. So many people around us have got attached to Baba and each one is serving him in their own special way. All the 4 artis are duly performed daily – Kankad arti and Snan at 5:00 am, Madhyaanya Arti at 12:00 pm, Dhoop Arti at 6:00 pm and Shej Arti at 10:00 pm. Regular Bhog and Prasad is served after each arti. Thursdays are special as it is Baba’s day. In the morning at 5a.m there is Mangal Snan in which all devotees take part and scrub and bathe Baba and later dress him up and do his Shringar. Thursday evenings are special too, as langar prasad is distributed among 200-300 devotees present, in the Mandir and also to the poor and needy outside the mandir. Apart from this, devotees come in the mornings to meditate in the peaceful presence of Baba, read Sai Charitra, pray and get rid of their tensions. Not only their worries, people also come to the mandir to share their joys and celebrate their birthdays and anniversaries with Baba by distributing sweets and other foods items that they have prepared up for Him. In turn, they get blessings from Baba in the form of the ‘Haar’ (garland), ‘Chola’ (dress) that HE adorns. Being able to perform the arti themselves, they get so close to him, to fan him with ‘Chavar’, serving him food-all this gives the devotees immense joy and overwhelms them with emotion. Thus a special bond is formed between the bhakt and Baba. Now, to get as many people connected to Baba and spread awareness about his teachings, special steps are taken which inspire the devotees to come again and again, always yearning for his darshan. Devotees can directly take part in all the 4 arties performed daily. Perform Special Mangal Snan with Panchamrit on Thursday morning arti, dress up Baba with their own hands, decorate mandir stage with flowers / rangoli and on Thursday evenings volunteer to distribute special langar prasad being served and also help in controlling crowd of devotees, taking care of shoes outside the mandir etc. Festivals of all religions be it Diwali, Christmas, Id or Guru Nanak Jayanti are celebrated with fervour in the presence of Baba and special programs/ arrangements are made for this. Satyanarayan Katha is performed every month on the day of full moon or Purnima. Sai Bhajans are organized on Thursday by different singers, volunteer devotees and their CDs are distributed free along with other regular things like Sai Charita, Sai Mangazines, Calendars etc. Ladoo prasad, Udi and Samadhi Jal from Shirdi is distributed 3-4 times a year to all the devotees. Sai Charitra – its reading is done regularly by different devotees especially on Dussehra. Shri Ulhasji – Senior priest in Shirdi Sansthan Mandir is called for any special ceremonies like the havan and puja. He solves problems of devotees by quoting examples of Baba’s teachings, gives discourses or pravachans to motivate the Sai devotees. Special Sai Sandhya is held on a larger scale once a year to attract as many devotees as possible around the neighbouring areas, towards Baba. Palki or a Chariot with Baba’s small pratima inside is taken around the neighbourhood on Guru Purnima Day with devotees singing and dancing, happy to have found Baba as their true Guru. Group tours are organized to Shirdi especially for the elderly who are unable to travel alone or others who are facing problems to get Baba’s darshan, attend arti, showing where and how he lived at Dwarkamai, his museum so that devotees get a feel of Baba, thereby many desires and wishes are fulfilled. Being in the footwear trade (our family business) free distribution of shoes is done to security guards at Shirdi Sansthan as they are the true sevaks of Baba. Every year around 300 shoes are distributed free. In this way, once devotees are ready to move towards the higher goals of life meditation classes are given to interested devotees in the morning. Daily ‘Dhyan’ and ‘Simran’ are done in Baba’s presence which gives the bhakts mental peace and happiness. In this way when devotees have become aware of Baba’s philosophy and teachings, how to perform arti, serve bhog with chanting of special mantra and the daily routine / rituals related to Baba, small pratimas of Baba especially brought from Shirdi are distributed on the day of ‘Ram Navami’. This has already been given to 150 families who are all serving Baba with full devotion. According to the feedback we have got, children of these families are serving their own chocolates and sweets first to Baba and then eating it. Something to be proud of, making parents very happy. So you can now judge for yourself how this organization ‘Sai Dham’ came about. Not because of any greed for fame, name or publicity but due to the simple thoughts of sharing & caring for each other, being part of joys n sorrows of each other, supporting each other in times of distress, coming together in times of happiness & above all, out of love for Baba. In short, serving our fellow beings and the community, at large- the very teachings that Baba himself personified. Any kind of donation or charity is strictly prohibited. It is not a trust and there is no membership fee but a ‘Sai Parivar’, a family of like minded people, headed by Baba himself. Nobody is contributing to any funds, but lending their own special talents in various fields and their service. We are doing whatever is in our capacity and Baba always returns many times of what we give to him. Another important objective, is sharing of experiences of devotees. This is extremely important as there has been no record of such events after Baba’s lifetime leelas, which have been put together by Hemadpant in ‘Sai Charitra’. Sharing of such miracles, inspire other devotees, plus a consolidated record can be maintained. Baba has said in his vachan that his Samadhi will listen, speak and fulfill the wishes of his devotees. Hearing of his leelas with help us come out of this ocean of worldly existence and finally unite with him. There are many people whose desire for Baba’s Darshan have not been satisfied in his lifetime. If these people believing him, listen to his leelas, their quest for darshan will be satisfied to a great extent (Saicharita ch XII.) So we, at Sai Dham, pray & hope that with Baba’s blessing and support of all the team members will succeed in our mission of spreading Baba’s teachings, making you aware of his miraculous powers, share experiences of devotees, help you achieve the higher goals of life through some meditations tips. If we are able to touch the hearts of a few, it would be a good start and our purpose of forming this website will be justified. May Sai Nath always be with you. Vineet Chadha
Posted on: Mon, 09 Dec 2013 07:19:02 +0000
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