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Sai Samsthan USA, a not-for-profit organization was formed and
incorporated in the State of Illinois on February 25, 1997. In July 1997, the
Internal Revenue Service issued a determination letter that recognized the
organization as exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Sai Samsthan USA is organized exclusively for charitable,
religious, educational, and scientific purposes. The primary objective of Sai
Samsthan USA is to establish Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir in the metropolitan
Chicago and facilitate worship services similar to Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir
in Shirdi, India. Other objectives of the organization include charitable
activities such as medical aid to the indigent, relief to people affected by
natural calamities, organize shelters to the homeless, feeding of the destitute
(annadaana); translate, print, publish or distribute books, periodicals
and literatures to promote the goals and objectives of the organization; to
promote Baba's philosophy, sponsor or support religious, spiritual, cultural,
educational or charitable activities or organizations in the United States or
abroad.
Sai Samsthan USA has been organizing worship services since its
inception. A special worship service on every Thursday evening include Samoohika
Vishnu Sahasra Nama Parayan, Shri Sai Ashtothara, Bhajans, and Shej
Arati followed by Mahaprasad. In addition, all major religious
functions such as Ram Navmi, Guru Purnima, Gokul Ashtami, Maha Shivaratri,
Baba's Maha Samadhi Day and Datta Jayanti are celebrated with utmost devotion.
As the demand for these services increased with enthusiastic participation of
ever increasing number of devotees, the organization deemed it necessary to
obtain services of a full time priest. With the Grace of Baba, we were
successful to bring Shri Krishna Sulakhe belonging to the same family as that
of the Head Priest in Shri Sai Baba Mandir, Shirdi, India as our priest. He has
been providing worship services in the tradition of Shri Sai Baba Mandir in
Shirdi.
Sai Samsthan USA has been tirelessly engaged to find a place of
its own to establish Sai Mandir. With the Grace of Baba, we were able to
purchase approximately 5.5 acres of land in Aurora, Illinois and inaugurate
Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Chicago on December 19, 2002 that happened to be a
Thursday, Shri Datta Jayanti Day and a full moon day, a combination that occurs
only once in 62 years. Daily worship services and four Aratis are
performed at this location. We plan to build a new Mandir, a multi-purpose
hall, kitchen and expanded parking in 2003.
The long term plans of Sai Samsthan USA include development of
its picturesque 13.2 acres in Lemont, Illinois with another Mandir, staff
quarters and retreat facilities for devotees not only to have daily worship
services but also spend a day or two or more in quiet solitude and meditation
or in the study of scriptures.
Last but not the least, Sai Samsthan USA organizes SHIRDI SAI
MAHOTSAV, an International Congregation of Sai Devotees every
year during the Labor Day week-end. The next Mahotsav will be on August 30-31,
2003. Please find the details of daily worship services and other special
events on our web site http://www.saisamsthanusa.org/.
We welcome all of you to participate and make the Mahotsav a grand
success.
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