California - Sai Baba Temple Celebrates Second Anniversary

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Sai Baba Temple Celebrates Second Anniversary

Date Submitted: Fri Mar 20, 2009

By K.B. Nair

 

http://www.indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=6374

MONTEBELLO, CA - A few hundred devotees of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba gathered during the course of March 14 at the Baba temple here to join in the second anniversary celebrations staged at the holy location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temple Address

 

 

Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan144 S 4th StMontebello, CA 90640The program started with the Kakad Aarti at 8.30 am but committed volunteers were at the spot long before the crowds started to flow in to set up the arrangements for the various rituals and feeding all arriving devotees with breakfast and food throughout the day. Following that, Abhishekam for Lord Shiva was conducted.The focus then shifted to the Dwaraka Mayi where the main idol of the Sai Baba sits, after a holy circling of the temple in the Aalaya Pradakshina with the ceremonial idol of Baba. During the rest of the morning the Vigneshwara Puja, Punyahavachanam and Samuhika Tulasi flower archana were conducted. Those who had signed up for the privilege and some of the most devoted volunteers were also able to participate in the 108 Kalash

Abhishekam by pouring the sanctified water from the vessels over the idol.At noon the session concluded with that Madhyahan aarti followed by Mahaprasadam for lunch after which the devotees gathered again for an afternoon of bhajans sung by devotees which went on till the sun had almost set.. The evening saw a cultural program comprising performances by children of devotees organized by Raju Guttala and rendition of bhajans by several specially invited singers from the community.Speaking to India Journal, the founding force behind the temple, Dr Prabhakar Tummala could not hide his joy over how the temple had expanded in just two years. As part of its continuing expansion two properties have been purchased across the street from the temple. These have been acquired thanks to generous interest free loans of $200,000 by Uka and Nalini Solanki and $50,000 by the Rambhotla physician couple. Projects for 2009 include a scheme

for feeding needy villagers in India starting May for which an amount has already been deposited with the State Bank of India, the building of the “dhuni†in the south east corner of the premises and a small “chawadi†in a north east spot to replicate the one in Shirdi where the Baba used to rest at night.

 

 

" Shirdi Sai Baba: "Before you speak, ask yourself: Is it kind, is it true, is it necessary & does it improve upon the silence?"

Speechless - Rohit Behal.