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The day being Buddha Purnima made it further more sacred and
holy. Buddha Purnima is the day on which Lord Buddha was born and got
enlightened. He attained Maha Nirvana also on the same day. One of Lord
Sainath’s 108 glorious names is ‘Sama Sarva Mata Sammataaya’. ‘Sarva Mata’ is
all religions, faiths, practices & cultures. ‘Sammataaya’ is acceptable or
respectable. The word ‘Sama’ is the key here. ‘Sama’ is Equality. One of the
most important works of Sri Sai Baba’s incarnation is to maintain religious
harmony. Sai Baba always practiced this ideal during His conduct with His
devotees belonging to various faiths. He demonstrated during His own lifetime,
the at-one-ment of all religions and faiths, many a time to different devotees.
It is rather very appropriate that Sai Samsthan USA chose this auspicious day
for this great event.
Excavation for the Mandir construction started after Sri Krishna
Sulakehji & Sri Vyas Sharmaji conducted the necessary rituals on May 18th
2005. After excavation, elaborate arrangements were made for the devotees to
get down into the 16 feet deep excavated area to place the Shila by themselves
in the foundation bed. That was, indeed, a unique opportunity for the Baba
devotees to place a Shila in Mandir foundation. Whole of the Mandir site in
Aurora wore a festive look. Befitting the occasion,various rituals were
conducted by Mandir Priests, Shri Krishna Sulakheji, Shri Vyas Sharmaji, Shri
Srinivasa Murthyji and HTGC Priest Shri Narasimhachariji.
The rituals started with Sri Sacchidananda Sadguru Sai Baba
Prarthana at 4:30 AM in the morning. All the devotees who sponsored the Avarana
Kumbhas were present at the excavated area. After due rituals, Tri-Avarana
Kumbha sthapana was done before the Sun rise. Three rounds of kumbhas –
Mrittika, Nava Ratna and Loha were installed under the Baba’s idol for
abundance of Dhanya, Sowbhagya and Artha Samruddhi respectively. All the
sponsored devotees placed the Avarana Kumbha while the priest was chanting
vedic mantras in the designated area by themselves.
After that, Shri Ganapati Puja was done followed by Sri Guru
Datta Havan. Havan is a divine way of propitiating the release of cosmic
energy into the Universe for the ultimate benefit of the mankind. This cleanses
the body & atmosphere externally and purifies the mind internally. Lord
Ganapati is considered the remover of obstacles and it is customary to offer
first obeisance to Him whenever any auspicious deed is performed. Baba is
considered an incarnation of Lord Datta. Sri Guru Datta Havan was duly
performed and all the Shilas that were to be placed in the Foundation were
inscribed with ‘OM SRI SAI’ and sanctified with the Homa
Agni. Also, Vastu Purusha was invoked in the Shilanyas area and was propitiated
with due rituals before the Shilanyas procedure.
All the assembled devotees carried the Shilas on their heads
with utmost devotion chanting Sri Sai Baba’s name and brought them in
procession with great pomp and splendor to the actual Mandir construction site.
Children of Bala Vidya Mandir, Sunday School for children at the Mandir,
initiated the Shilanyas procedure with Prakara Shila sthapana – installation of
the brick along the periphery of the Mandir. Laying a prakara shila confers
upon oneself the merit of constructing the temple itself.
After the installation of Prakara Shila, Garbha Griha shilas
were installed. Garbha Griha is the altar where Baba’s idol would be installed
subsequently. Installing a Garbha griha Shila is like giving ‘Avasa’ – a living
place to Baba. This was followed by the Ashta Dikpalaka Shila sthapana along
the eight directions to propitiate Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairutti, Varuna, Vayu,
Kubera and Ishana. Installing an Ashta Dikpalaka Shila removes any vastu
related doshas.
Maha Sankalpam was done to place the Nidhi Kumbha. Nidhi Kumbha
contains a small gold murti of Sai Baba along with the water from the sacred
rivers. All the assembled devotees touched the Nidhi Kumbha. Nidhi Kumbha was
taken in procession to the Shilanyas area. Amidst chanting of the Vedic hymns
by the Priests and the Namjap, “OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI”
with utmost devotion by the devotees, the Chairman Dr. Umapathi Cattamanchi and
the President Dr. Nagabhushanam Koneru of Sai Samsthan USA accompanied by their
wives, placed the holy Nidhi Kumbha in the ground. Nidhi Kumbha represents Sri
Sai Baba Himself. After that, all the assembled devotees participated in Sri
Sai Puja and Tri-Matrika i.e. Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati & Gowri puja. The
program concluded with Mangala Arati to Baba and Anna Daana to all the
devotees.
In concluding remarks, all the devotees were informed that
Shri Sai Baba’s idol,sculptured out of a rare pure snow white marble stone by
Shri Rajiv Talim, the direct descendant of Shri Balaji Vasant Talim, who
sculptured the idol in Shirdi ,
India, will be taken to Shirdi for
sanctification and brought over here.
Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Chicago is located at
1101 Foran Lane, Aurora, Illinois .
The Mandir is open from 9:00am to 9:00pm on all days. All the four Aratis,
Kakada Arati, Madhyahna Arati, Dhoop Arati and Shej Arati, are performed just
as in Shirdi, India. Special worship services including Abhishek, Sri Sai
Ashtotra, Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama, Shri Sai Satcharita Parayan, bhajans &
kirtans are conducted on Thursday evenings. Sri Sai Satcharita Ekah Parayan
(devout reading of Sri Sai Baba’s life history in one day) is conducted on
every third Sunday. Monthly puja is done on the last Sunday of every
month. All festivals and special occasions are celebrated just as in
Shirdi. Samsthan now has three full time priests who are well versed in all
rituals and are available for outside services. For more information, call
(630) 897-1500 or visit the web site
BOW
TO SRI SAI - PEACE BE TO ALL!!!
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