By : Bondada Janardhana Rao
In the Samadhi Mandir, Baba’s photo that was worshipped till 1954. A White Italian Marble Idol of Baba that was chiseled by Balaji Vasant Talim, a celebrated sculptor who was blessed by Baba, was ceremoniously installed by the hands of Swami Sai Sharananandji (Wamanrao Patel) on superscript 7th October 1954 and is being worshipped since then. It is interesting to note how the Italian Marble stone which was used for sculpturing Baba’s life-like Idol, arrived in India. Once the Italian marble stone arrived at Bombay port and remained in the dock yard unclaimed by anybody. The Port Authorities then conducted an auction in which someone bought the marble stone and delivered it to the Shirdi Sansthan. Thus, it reached Shirdi miraculously and the Sansthan got it sculptured at the hands of Balaji Vasant Talim into the most beautiful Idol of Baba which was installed in 1954 in the sanctum sanctorum in the Samadhi Mandir. Baba’s Idol was thus installed on superscript 7th October 1954, the Vijayadasami day, exactly after 36 years after Baba’s Mahasamadhi. It is to be noted that 36 hours after Baba left his mortal coil, the interment of Baba’s body was completed on early Thursday morning on superscript 17th October 1918. It is also interesting to note that B.V. Talim did not do any sculpting work after 1954 till his death in 1970 at the age of 82 years as per Baba’s direction as he was a blessed person with highest spiritual attainment.
The finished Marble Idol of Baba was taken in procession throughout the Shirdi village with pomp and gaiety before installation during 1954. Baba’s Idol is so life-like as if Baba is sitting in the Mandir. Devotees like Swami Sri Sai Sarananandaji, Laxmibai, Saguna Meru Naik and others who saw Baba in Mortal Coil and moved with Baba, felt as if Baba had come back alive in the form of His Idol.
An Idol of Baba was installed in Baba Mandir (which is in star shape) in Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh as early as 1951, much before the installation of Baba’s Idol in Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi, and perhaps this may be the First Baba Idol installed anywhere in India. There is a Dattatreya Idol and Idols of Dattatreya’s subsequent incarnations. This is a unique temple of Baba.
Baba used to say that he is present in all the animate objects or living beings and animals including dogs. There were many instances during the life of Baba that support this view. But one such instance which is happening now, bears eloquent testimony towards this end. There is a temple for Baba in Indukur village in Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. In the temple at the time of Kakad arati, two dogs would always visit the sanctum sanctorum without fail daily. At the end of the arati, the two dogs would sit near Baba’s Idol, would join the puja chorus. and make continuous siren-like sounds. These dogs ate only vegetarian food, including chapattis, plantains etc. The regularity in the arrival of dogs and participation in the arati chorus, amply prove what Baba said that he is always present in all animate objects.
The masjid was renovated in 1912 by Nanasaheb Chandorkar, and renovation and pavement work on the floor of the Sabha Mantap (courtyard in the masjid) was done in the same year in a single night by Dixit. Chavadi was also renovated in the same year by Anna Chinchanikar who had a land legal dispute that went on for a long time and got it disposed of by Baba’s Grace in his favour and in gratitude he got the Chavadi renovated beautifully.
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