GURUPOORNIMA

The Sanskrit word ‘Guru’means someone who removes darkness. The Guru dispells the ignorance of the disciple, thus allowing him to realize the divine within. Gurupoornima is the full moon day when Shiva the Adi yogi transformed himself to ‘Adi Guru’ to bless the disciple with ultimate Wisdom. Gurupoornima is the day when sadhakas offer gratitude to their Guru and receive his blessings. It falls every year on Ashada Poornima. Gurupurnima is also celebrated as Vyasa Jayanthi, the birthday of the great sage Vyasa who assembled the Vedas and wrote the Mahabharata.

In Sai temple the day is celebrated with immense devotion and gratitude to Baba and Swamiji. Devotees assemble at the temple to have darshan of Shirdi Baba and Swamiji. In the evening of Gupoornima day, devotees and sadhakas perform Padapooja of Swamiji and participate in Satsang and bhajan. Full moon day Homa is conducted for the wellbeing of the entire world and for the spiritual progress of the seekers and devotees.

SHIRDI SAI BABA MAHA SAMADHI DAY

One of the most important celebrations of Sai Temple is the Maha Samadhi Pooja of Shirdi Sai Baba. Shirdi Sai Baba left his mortal body on the Vijayadasami Day of 1918 October.

But Baba promised his devotees saying “ I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body” and “ My tomb shall bless and speak the needs of my devotees.”

Shirdi Sai devotees world over realise the truthfulness of the above promise made by Baba and experience his divine presence and blessings at the time of their needs.

By celebrating even the Samadhi, Baba teaches his dearest devotees to transcend their individual consciousness to Universal consciousness and to leave the earthly body without fear to merge with the Supreme.

On this auspicious day, devotees and seekers at the temple start the day early in the morning with Omkara Japam followed by Baba’s Abhishekam and Sacharitha Parayanam. Devotees participate in Sai Bhajans and all are served with food, ‘Annadanam’.

In the after noon at around 2.00PM , the time when Shirdi Baba entered Maha Samadhi, the beautiful idol of Baba is fully covered with flowers (Pushpa Abhishekam) as the Sai Temple is filled with Sai bhajans and prayers of the Baba’s devotees.

After Samadhi pooja and Maha Arathi of Sai Baba, Swamiji distributes Vibhuthi to all devotees assembled at the Temple as a symbol of Sai Baba’s blessings. Afterwards, all the devotees listen to Swamiji’s words on Samadhi day in Satsang.

MAHA SHIVARATHRI

Maha Shivrathri, “The Great Night of Shiva” is a night of immense spiritual significance to all Shiva devotees and seekers. Maha Shivrathri is an opportunity to bring oneself to the experience of the Infinite, the Silence within, which is the source of all creation in the Universe.

Swamiji says that it is in this night of Mahashivrathri, the forces present in nature which prevent the awakening of human beings to higher spiritual levels become weakest. Hence Swamiji advises all seekers, who aspire for higher spiritual progress, to make use of this divine night.

In Sai temple, Maha Shivarathri is celebrated every year, during the month of February-March. Many Sai devotees and seekers assemble at the Sai temple to participate in the Special Homa conducted by Swamiji in the evening.

After this ‘Abhishekam’ is conducted by Swamiji and the devotees on the Shiv Linga. It is followed by Bhajans and special Aarti to Shirdi Sai Baba at midnight. Later every one joins Swamiji for Satsang, which continues till early Morning.

"Om Tryambakam Yajamahe

Sugandhim Pushti-Vardhanam

Urvarukamiva Bandhanan

Mrityormukshiya Mamritat"