Revision as of 21:25, 9 July 2014

Popularity and economics of the Shirdi temple

Saibaba temple earned Rs 1,441 crore in last five years

PTI | May 15, 2013

PTI

An idol of the Sai Baba of Shirdi

In 2008, about 20,000 devotees used to visit the Saibaba's shrine daily, but presently figures show that around 60,000 people come to visit the temple every day and the number goes up to about one lakh on weekends.

Saibaba Sansthan trust has recorded Rs 1,441 crore income in the last five years, with 22 per cent higher donations received every year, Sansthan's executive officer Kishor More said on Wednesday.

The trust has spent Rs 828 crore on various beneficial works for devotees, including Rs 160 crore on hospital, 'prasadalaya' and funds allotted in the form of donations to various charity trusts, More said, quoting the figures recorded after the Sansthan's audit conducted recently by a government recognised agency.

Five years back, about 20,000 devotees used to visit the Saibaba's shrine daily, but presently figures show that around 60,000 people come to visit the temple everyday and the number goes up to about one lakh on weekends.

During special festivals at least two to three lakh devotees visit the famous shrine, More said, adding that the daily income now was around Rs 45 lakh, as compared to Rs 20 lakh per day five years back.

The trust has contributed funds on building super-speciality hospital, Shirdi's roads, water arrangements, various developmental works including Chief Minister's Relief fund and Shirdi's airport, he said.

The audited report of the Sansthan will be tabled in the state assembly during the winter session for grant, he said. When asked about 'hidden donations' in boxes like gold ornaments, cash and foreign currency, More said the trust has not a separate machinery to check such things because when devotees come to seek blessings of Saibaba they donate money, but from where they get it is difficult to know.

Instead of counting donated money once in a week in practice five years back, now it is being counted twice a week and an officer from charity commissioner's office and Sansthan's officials remains present at the time of opening and closing of donation boxes, a video recording of which is also done, More added.

The Shirdi Sai Baba Controversy: a devotee's take

Meena Om

The Times of India Jul 08 2014

The Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath recently unwittingly stirred up a controversy by saying that the Shirdi Sai Baba ought not to be regarded as a Bhagwan ¬ presum ably because no one knows if he were Hindu or not. One wonders if this really matters, when we all need to be moving towards Oneness.

Everyone needs some kind of spiritual support to get through life. So, does it matter if someone gets it by placing faith in Sai Baba or some other master? People will follow someone or something so long as it works for them; it's trial and error. With due respect to the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath and any other custodian of `Hindu Dharma', let's face the fact that people would have approached them too if that helped them in any way .

The question arises, as to what use are discourses given on vedas and upanishads when they are unable to address the fact that human relationships are deteriorating and instances of violence and abuse against women continue to rise? Why has no guru come out to address these issues substantively? Even in the Mahabhara ta, learned men, revered custodians of so-called dharma, stayed put in their seats in Dhritrash tra's court when Dushasana dragged Draupadi by her hair in court and humiliated her.

`Hindu' is a geographical term; it is not the name of a religion. Hindus were known to live in sync with Nature and this was their way of life, truly spiritual. The sun shines and exudes heat and energy; it has been doing so for ages; it is sanatan, eternal. No individual, faith leader or religion can lay claim to the Sun. That which is sanatan is not the property of any one cult or religion.

Everything on this planet is composed of panchtattva, the five elements ¬ earth, fire, air, space and water. These are sanatan. Let's revere, respect and worship Nature. Strive to be comfortable and in tune with universal energies because you are a product of these energies, the five elements which are manifest in each one of us.

The basic guna of every human being is to act according to Nature ¬ which is whole and complete ¬ something that is perfect for natural evolution of all species and expansion of the Universe. One has to be part of this magical and divine cosmic play and this is the highest joy of being human.

We are here to celebrate life according to laws of Nature, enhancing each other towards growth, glory and grace. Religions created by us pale in significance before this most spectacular, grand and wonderful eternal divine cosmic play.

Kabirdas said: “You collect Kabirdas said: “You collect stones and build a mosque and on it stands the mullah and recites his prayers loudly; is the Khuda hard of hearing?“ “If by worshiping stone you can “If by worshiping stone you can find Hari, then i will worship the mountain itself; better to worship the grindstone... “Time sieves out all imperfections. Such is cosmic play . Time is a great sieve.“

When cosmic messages come, they reach only those who are constantly tuned in to the Universe's frequency . With time, those who are not tuned in to universal energies, or have f even an iota of imperfection, falsehood and ego ¬ get sieved out. Whoever remains, how; ever few, are the ones who are constantly work ing to stay tuned ¬ the true recipients of the . eternal ¬ sanatan knowledge. Time is eternal, f sanatan, and that which is eternal stays with time. Follow Meena Om on speakingtree.in and post your comments there.