Visit to Shirdi on 30-Apr-2014

30-3-20 14: The most awaited day of my life!!!! Yes, we started to Shirdi after our lunch around 2.30pm from Navi Mumbai – Palm beach road – Rajasri’s residence via Pune high road – kholapur toll plaza- Lonavala. 

Reached Maha ganapati Mandir, Ranjan Gaon at 5.00pm . This is one of the Ashta vinayak temples in the state of Maharashtra. Extremely good darshan unable to express the vibration and felt extremely blessed. This vinayak is a swayambu and is coulured with Sindhur which is also the main prashad there. Ammu’s “Sharanu Siddhi” song at the sannadhi added divinity at the temple. Took some photographs and continued to shirdi.

Had lots of fun on the way discussing and recollecting our old memories and various events from sai SathCharith. My mind was busy thinking the stories I read in SathCharith. Reached Shirdi around 9.30pm. Janma saapalyam. Wow!! My two year old prayer is going to be fulfilled. Baba says “those who are blessed only can land in Shirdi. Meaning I am one of those blessed to land in Shirdi. We stayed at Dwaravati Bhaktaniwas of Sai Baba Sansthan Trust.

The park opposite to Dwaravati did impress even at night. Waited for the next day morning to see the beauty of the park. Settled at the room around 10.00pm and proceeded to have our dinner. It was 10.45 pm, went out to have dinner for the sake of having and went to sleep.

SLEEP…….not sure, when I had a peaceful/undisturbed/with silent sub conscious mind in my life till date. Yes!!! I had such a sleep on 30-4-2014. I remember lying down and heard Athimber saying ‘It is 6.15 am’ in the morning. Does it mean I had a sound sleep for the first time on Baba’s lap??? As baba says “You will get peace of mind from a disturbed mind”.

Madhyana Harathi darshan at 12.00 noon arranged by Athimber with his privilege card being a donor. Got ready – finished our breakfast and as planned the previous night spent time at the park – ofcourse photographs in various angles. Enjoyed the park – full of colorful flowers, every arrangement of the park and the beauty to the fullest extent. As the gardener urged us to move out for watering the plants, left to see other places outside.

Another blessing to the family – Athimber’s name carved in the Sansthan Trust – donor list of the Dwaravathi Nivas. So he can stay for 15 days for free till his lifetime. Felt really proud to see this and Baba has blessed him a lot.

Started around 11.30 am to the temple. Waited at the waiting room till they called us for darshan. Just then heard people get nervous and excited outside. Ran to the spot to spot the telugu actor Nagarjuna, who had also come for the same darshan.  Usual crazy crowd around him as if they have seen Baba himself in person.

Now, its time for our DARSHAN!!!! With so much excitement and anxiety proceeded towards the hall. Amma reminded someone who came to Shirdi, because of the heavy crowd, did not see Baba and returned home. Praying not to have such experience and my mind still full of stories from Sath Charith – more thrilled – yes going to see him – feeling happy, great, blessed – what to say???

Finally entered the hall, saw HIM from  a distance – going /proceeding near HIM – didn’t realize people around – I could see only Baba in front –me and Baba alone in that huge hall – I was alone with him- soon I regained my consciousness as someone from the crowd pushed me and was standing just in front of Him – direct eye to eye contact.!!!

I WAS AT LOSS OF WORDS. Was standing in front for the entire half an hour harathi  - He knows what I want, which is what I communicated to him.- tears rolling on my cheeks….Enjoyed the moment to the maximum possible, photographed him with my natural camera(my eyes) saved thousands of frames in my own brain cells which I can refer any time I want – day o night  or even mid night…all are safe with me. Came out of the hall with my heart full of overwhelming thoughts with the pride of having seen Him.

Did not miss to visit Dwaraka Mayi, where he spent his time (till) just before his Samadhi – the stone which he used to rest his hand – the grinding stone which he used for grinding wheat. Chavadi where he used to sleep every now and then.

Extremely happy for what I was experiencing – visited the museum – all his belongings are preserved – Rajasri could correlate with the stories I shared during the travel.

Bought some souvenirs, left for Prashadalaya for lunch. This is where I saw the same posture of Baba who himself was making the food for his devotees, which I saw in my dream about 3 years back. Had our lunch – cheched out of our room. Bid Bye to Shirdi with all sweet memories and with a HOPE OF COMING BACK SOON.

"WHO EVER PUTS THEIR FEET ON SHIRDI SOIL, THEIR SUFFERINGS WILL COME TO AN END" - SATH CHARITH.

GREAT BIG THANKS to Athimber for all the arrangements, without whom this trip would not have happened. With my bowed head, my sincere namaskarams to him for the wonderful, memorable, convenient, comfortable, and great darshan. Special thanks to Mr.Thangappan for the smooth drive.

Came back home  via Nasik and reached home around 8.30pm. And routine started.