SAI BABA OF SIRDI

Shirdi Sai temple is a beautiful shrine that was built over the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba

Shirdi is located approximately 296 Kilometers from Mumbai (Bombay) City in India.

Shirdi is famous temple of Shri Sai Baba. It was established in 1922 to carry out the services of Shri Sai Baba.

At age of 16 yrs Shri Saibaba arrived at the village of Shirdi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra and remained their till his death. Saibaba found shelter in Khandoba temple, where a villager Mahalsapathi in the temple addressed him as Sai or Saint Sai baba.

Shri Saibaba of Shirdi lived between 1838 and 1918, whose real name, birthplace and date of birth are not known. An Indian spiritual guru and a fakir, Shri Saibaba in Shirdi was regarded with great reverence by both Hindu and Muslim followers. Lord Sai lived in a mosque and after death his body was cremated in a temple.

Sri Shirdi Sai philosophy ingrained 'Shraddha' meaning faith and 'Saburi' meaning compassion. According to god Sai, Shraddha and Saburi were the supreme attributes to reach the state of godliness.

Sai Baba :

Long time ago, at the beginning of eighteenth century a young bearded man ( Shirdi Sai baba) with sparkling eyes took shelter in a mosque, in Shirdi Village (of Maharshtra State, In India) . Nobody knew from where this stranger had come who hardly spoke a word and stayed there.

Gradually the curious villagers started offering food to the man, but he never asked anything from them. Sometimes he shared his food with the animals. Soon the young fakir, as he was started to be addressed, started expressing his view points with few elderly villagers. His simple language of expresssion and his special power of solving the problems of poor needy and destitutes soon made this less known fakir, to be known as Shri Sai Baba. As the days passed, devotees started streaming into Shirdi in ever growing numbers. The village was fast becoming a centre of pilgrimage. As gifts and presentations flowed in, the pomp and ceremony of Sai worship were evolving. Everyday Sai Baba would be a pauper having distributed all among the needy and the poor. But Sai Baba's life of a Fakir remained calm, undisturbed, unaltered and therein is the saint's Spiritual glory.

People also realised that this "Baba" was no ordinary person but a person with extraordinary godly powers. Such powers are not known or present in normal human beings. Baba preached his principle of love and faith in humanity to all his disciples. He always felt anguished over the fact that all those who came to him were more for their own personal problems and not for attaining the ultimate goal of reaching God which he felt could be attained only by true servicing of humanity.

Sai baba strongly believed in uniformity of religion and he never distinguished anyone on the basis of caste, creed or religion. He always made it a point not to return empty handed those who had come to him in their hour of need and grief. He performed miracles to alleviate the suffering of poor people. On one occasion he restored the eyes of a blind elderly and on another occasion he lighted a lantern with water when there was no oil to burn it.

As all good things have to end ultimately "Baba" also left his body on his own will on 15th Oct. 1918, leaving his millions of believers and followers crying. His body was laid in the Samadhi Mandir called "Booty", which he had asked his disciple to built before his death.

Sai Baba was Unique, in that, he lived his message through the Essence of his Being. His life and relationship with the common man was his teaching. The lmmense Energy that was manifest in the body of Sai was moving and is still moving in a mysterious way, creating and recreating itself everywhere, beyond the comprehension of time and space.Yet, he lived with the common folk as a penniless fakir, wearing a torn kafni, sleeping over a mat while resting his head on a brick, begging for his food. He radiated a mysterious smile and a deep inward look, of a peace that passeth all understanding. He was always and ever aware of what transpired within the hearts and minds of everyone, whether they be, His devotees or not. This Omnipresent and Omniscient Sri Sai Baba who left his mortal body in 1918, is the living spiritual force that is drawing people from all walks of life, from all parts of the world, into his fold, today.Sri Sai Baba lived, acted and behaved as only a "God descended on Earth" can. He came to serve mankind, to free them from the clutches of fear.

HISTORY OF TIRUMALA TIRUPATI TEMPLE

History Of Tirumala Tirupati temple

There is ample literary and epigraphic testimony to the antiquity of the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara. All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions.

It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple. After the decline of the Vijayanagar dynasty, nobles and chieftains from all parts of the country continued to pay their homage and offer gifts to the temple. The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle, visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald which is still preserved in a box named after the General. Among the later rulers who have endowed large amounts are the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal. After the fall of the Hindu kingdoms, the Muslim rulers of Karnataka and then the Britishers took over, and many of the temples came under their supervisory and protective control. In 1843 AD, the East India Company divested itself of the direct management of non-Christian places of worship and native religious institutions. The administration of the shrine of Sri Venkateswara and a number of estates were then entrusted to Sri Seva Dossji of the Hatiramji Mutt at Tirumala, and the temple remained under the administration of the Mahants for nearly a century, till 1933 AD.In 1933, the Madras Legislature passed a special act, which empowered the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Committee to control and administer a fixed group of temples in the Tirumala-Tirupati area, through a Commissioner appointed by the Government of Madras.

Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya is referred to in several Puranas, of which the most important are the Varaha Purana and the Bhavishyottara Purana. The printed work contains extracts from the Varaha Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Harivamsa, Vamana Purana, Brahma Purana, Brahmottara Purana, Aditya Purana, Skanda Purana and Bhavishyottara Purana. Most of these extracts describe the sanctity and antiquity of the hills around Tirumala and the numerous teerthams situated on them.

KERELA ANT IT'S BEAUTY

Kerala

Kerala ‘The God’s Own country’ is an enchantingly beautiful, emerald green land, flanked by the Western Ghats on one side, the Arabian Sea on the other, and strewn with rivers, lagoons, backwaters and rich vegetation. Legends state that Kerala was created by Parshuram (a famous ancient sage). Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India from Europe when he landed near Calicut in 1498 AD.

Kerala is situated, in the South West corner of Indian peninsula. It is a tropical state with green and lush vegetation and has a 550 km coastline on the Arabian Sea. Kerala is the most densely populated state in India with 38,863 sq km area with around 33 million population. Kerala is also one of the richest states in India with forests and plantations of rubber, cashew, and coconuts everywhere. It has a particularly rich heritage of dance and drama (Kathalkali, Koothu, Mohiniattam) and people here are among the most industrious and well educated (100% literacy late) in the country. Kerala is renowned all over the world for its backwaters, natural beauty, health resorts and beaches.

How to reach Kerala -

Air: Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin have International Airports and Calicut has international services to several destinations in Gulf. All these airports are well connected with the other major airports of India.

Road : All major cities in Kerala are well connected with different parts of India through a good network of roads. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and various private bus services connect all the big and small cities inside Kerala.

Railway: Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Shornur and Kozhikode are the major stations in the state. The Konkan Rail line along the Western coast connects Kerala to Mumbai and North- West states.

Each district in Kerala has it's own unique culture and characteristics.

Alappuzha

Alappuzha is often referred to as the Venice of the East has an immense network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it. This backwater country is also home to diverse wildlife. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches and marine products. Kuttanad region in Alappuzha is called the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’. Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala. Keralas network of navigable backwaters stretches to over 900km. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and while navigating these waterways one can appreciate the beauty of countryside. Besides the backwaters one can visit Alappuzha beach and Krishnapuram palace(47 Km from Alappuzha).

Alappuzha is well connected by railways. Nearest airport is in Cochin (85 Km). Boats are available for navigating the waterways.

Idukki

The highland district Idukki is famous for its mountains, valleys, forests, wildlife, streams, trekking trails, sanctuaries, hill stations and lakes. Idukki has a large tribal population. The tribes of Kerala have unique customs and beliefs and a distinct culture.

Munnar (1600m above sea level) is a hill station and one of the highest tea-growing areas in the world. This is an area for walking and trekking. If your interest is wildlife then it is possible to visit Eravikulam National Park or Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary – It islocated about 40 km from Thodupuzha, Idukki district.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary – Located inThekkady, in Idukki district this one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in India. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake. It is one of the best places in India to see wild Elephants, tigers, gaurs, sambar, lion tailed monkeys and Nilgiri langurs.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary - is famous for Sandalwood trees and rare Giant Grizzled Squirrel. Lot of other wildlife is also present in this unique scrub forest.

Nyayamakad: Located between Munnar and Rajamala, Nyayamakad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls.

Reaching Idukki –

Different places in Idukki are well connected by roads, although the nearest railway station is at Kottayam, about 114 km and nearest airports is Cochin International Airport (190 km) and Madurai (140 km).

Thiruvananthapuram

A long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a perfect tourist destination. Thiruvananthapuram city is also the capital of Kerala. There is an international airport inThiruvananthapuram.

Beaches near Thiruvananthapuram –

Kovalam is the main beach resort of Kerala and hence the busiest - particularly Lighthouse Beach.

Varkala, approximately 50km north of Trivandrum, is Kerala's second most popular beach resort and has a number of hotels, bars, restaurants, and shops.

Shankhumugham Beach - 8 km from the Thiruvananthapuram.

Other beaches within easy reach of Trivandrum and Kovalam include -Pulinkudi, Chowara and Poovar.

Hill stations near Thiruvananthapuram –

Ponmudi – about 60 Km fromThiruvananthapuram Ponmudi is a small hill resort. The area is good for walking and it is possible to visit Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary

Agasthyarkoodam – 70 Km fromThiruvananthapuram is another small hill resort.

Monuments and temples in Thiruvananthapuram -

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave, Koyikkal Palace are about 18 Km from Thiruvananthapuram, Parasurama Temple, Thiruvallam.

Ernakulam

Cochin (Kochi) in Ernakulam district is a historic harbor-city and Kerala's commercial capital. Cochin International Airport (north of the city) is a modern airport offering international and domestic connections. Cherai Beach near Vypeen Island is ideal for swimming.

Museums in Ernakulum - Maritime museum in Cochin and Indo-Portuguese museum, The Hill Palace Museum, The Museum of Kerala History

Monuments in Ernakulum – Fort Kochi, Vasco da Gama Square, Mattancherry Palace and Dutch Palace, Mattancherry.

Kannur

Kannur district is bounded by a wealth of natural beauty and is home of colorful folk art and folk music.

Beaches in Kannur –

Payyambalam beach - 2 km from Kannur town

Muzhapilangad Beach - About 15 km from Kannur

Valapattanam beach - 7 km from Kannur town

Tourist attractions in Kunnur -

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary: Location: 35 km from Thalasserry and 60 km from Kannur town.

St. Angelo Fort: Location : 3 km west of Kannur town

Thalasseri Fort: 22km from Kannur 

Kozhikode

Kozhikode was the most important region of Malabar during the time of Zamorins. Lush green countryside, tranquil beaches, historic sites, rivers and hills make Kozhikode a popular destination. The main city of Calicut (Kozhikode) has a domestic airport.

Palakkad

Palakkad is a natural depression in the Western Ghats and a popular tourist destination. Fort, monuments, amusement parks and wildlife sanctuary are the main attractions at Palakkad.
 

Wayanad 

Wayanad is a rainforest area in the Western Ghats. It consists of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, which is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere that also incorporates Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and Mudumalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.

Kasargod

Kasargod is the northern district of Kerala and is famous for Forts, rivers and beaches. The Fort at Bekal is the largest and best in the state is located 16 Km from the Kasargod town.

Kollam

Thirumullavaram beach, Thangasseri fort 5 Km outside Kollam city, the Cave Temple at Chadayamangalam, Rameshwara TempleandShenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary (60 Km from Kollam) are some of the places of tourist interest in this district.