Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai
Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur, a famous
Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. Gopalrao wanted to keep an
idol of Murlidhar here. However, Baba himself became Murlidhar
and the Mandir became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba.
The Mandir is built with
stones and Baba's Samadhi is built with white marble stones.
A railing is built in marble around the Samadhi and is full
of ornamental decorations. In front of the Samadhi are two
silver pillars full of decorative designs. Just behind the
Samadhi is Sai Baba's marvelous statue made of Italian marble
which shows him seated on a throne. This idol was made by
late Balaji Vasant. This statue was installed on 7th October
1954. Above the statue is an open, silver umbrella.
Dwarkamai:-
Shri Sai Baba came to Shirdi with a marriage procession. He
stayed at Dwarkamai till the very end of his life. Dwarkamai
is situated on the right side of the entrance of Samadhi Mandir.
Here he solved problems of the people, cured their sickness
and worries. Before Baba's arrival in Shirdi, Dwarkamai was
an old mosque in a dilapidated condition. Baba turned it into
Dwarkamai and proved that God is one. The first level of Dwarkamai
has a portrait of Baba and a big stone on which Baba used
to sit. This level has two rooms. One contains the chariot
and the second a palkhi. Just in front of the room where the
chariot is kept is a small temple. A saffron flag flies over
it. The second level of Dwarkamai has a square stool made
of stone, which Baba used for taking a bath.
Gurusthan:- Sai Baba first came to Shirdi
in the form of Bal Yogi - a child ascetic. He was first spotted
seated under a Neem tree. This place came to be known as Gurusthan.
The renovation of Gurusthan was made on 30th September, 1941.
The present temple was built after this period. There is a
small shrine in Gurusthan. On a elevated platform of this
shrine a big portrait of Baba is placed. On the side is a
marble statue of Baba. In front of the portrait is a Shivling
and the Nandi. Photos of twelve Jyotirlinga are kept in the
temple. At a short distance lies Baba's CHAVADI. Baba used
to sleep here every alternate day.
Lendi Baug:-At
some distance from Gurusthan there is the Lendi Baug. This
Baug was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its
name from a Nalla (a drain) which used to previously flow
there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon
and take rest under a Neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep,
under the Neem tree and kept a Deep lit in that pit. One octangular
Deepgriha called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone
in memory of this place. It constantly burns in a glass box.
On one side of the Deepgriha is a Peepal tree and on the other
side is a Neem tree.
Khandoba Mandir:- This temple is situated
on the main road. In front of this temple Baba was welcomed
by Poojari Mhalsapati, of this temple, saying "Aao Sai",
when Baba stepped in Shirdi. In this temple there are icons
of Khandoba, Banai and Mhalsai.