The portrait in The Dwarakamai is an oil painting by the famous painter Shyamrao Jaykar. it was Shri Moreshwar Pradhan’s desire to have a life like painting of Sai Baba with him so he requested Shyamrao Jayakar to accompany him to Shirdi and paint the same. Jayakar was reluctant to go as he thought what he would get by painting a portrait of a poor fakir like Sai Baba. Upon their arrival Sainath refused Pradhans proposal and as usual Shyama intervened and requested Shri Sai Baba but Sai Baba replied “why should I a poor fakir have an oil painting of me? You, Shama may get a portrait of yourself done.”
The fakir who was not worthy of Jayakar’s oil painting uttered the words of Jayakar, thought in Mumbai. Realization falling upon him Jayakar put his heart and soul into Sainaths life like portraits drew them with dedication and admiration for the Guru Sai.
After Baba’s Mahasamadhi, Baba’s lifelike portrait was installed in the very place where Baba sat, serving to assist or augment the devotion of numerous people who go, look and pay reverence to it. Present painting kept in Dwarakamai is the replica of the painting and the original one is kept in the museum.
OM SRI SAI RAM
I had a wish to go to Shirdi on Guru Purnima Day.
I could not make it with very close friend / elder brother Shri Gopal Bhai. But incidentally on the same day late evening We got the Prasad from Bhabhi ji who has just visited NITYANAND BABA SAMADHI IN VRAJESHWARI/
BABA ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF HIS DEVOTEES