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December 19, 2002:
For the Shirdi Sai Baba devotees of the Chicago land area, it
has been a long awaited wish. The wish has been fulfilled when Sri Shirdi Sai
Baba mandir was inaugurated on the auspicious Datta Jayanti day, Thursday
December 19th 2002 with all traditional pomp and gaiety. More than 1000
devotees participated in the celebrations with religious fervor and enthusiasm.
The festivities started at 7AM in the morning with the
ceremonial Kakada Arati performed at the Lemont location. After Kakada Arati,
Baba's Murti, Picture and Padukas were taken in a procession to the new mandir
location at Aurora, a six-acre facility recently acquired by Samsthan, located
at 1101 Foran Lane, Aurora, IL-60506. After reaching the new mandir location,
the temple priest Krishna Sulakheji performed the necessary rituals amidst the
chanting of the sacred vedic hymns. At about 9:10AM, Baba's Murti entered the
mandir while all the devotees present were singing His glory with devotion and
ecstasy. Baba's murti, picture and padukas were established thereafter.
The elaborate puja program started with Guru Stuti. After
invoking Lord Ganesha, Kalasa puja was done. Later, Punyaha Vachanam was
performed. Then Bhoomi Suddhi, sanctification of the whole property was
performed with the sacred Kalasa waters. Then, all the Dig-Devatas & Nava
Grahas, were invoked and puja was performed to all of them.
Krishna Sulakheji, the temple priest, then conducted the Vastu
Purusha puja. Then, Sri Sudarsana Havan (Homam) was performed. Havan is a way
of propitiating Gods to invoke their energies to be released into the Nature
for the welfare of the Universe and also propagate peace and harmony among the
humanity. The Havan concluded with Purnahuti. Baba was given the sacred
bath,Abhishek, with Panchamrita. Sri Sai Astotra was performed followed by Sri
Sookta sahita Lakshmi puja, followed by traditional Madhyahna Arati and later
followed by Maha Prasad.
The post lunch session included the reading of Sri Sai
Satcharitra and Sri Guru Charitra. Melodious rendering of bhajans by ardent Sai
devotees re-charged the spiritual atmosphere before the evening session started
with Dhoop Arati. Dhoop arati was followed by Sri Sai SatyaVrat, Datta
Astotram, Datta Astakam followed by spiritual discourse and bhajans. The
celebrations concluded with Shej Arati at 9:00 PM followed with Mahaprasad.
Speaking on the occasion, spokes person of Sai Samsthan USA said
that the Aurora City Council already approved elaborate plans for construction
of the mandir and other ancillary facilities which would begin sometime in
Spring 2003. When asked about the original plan of constructing a mandir on the
Samsthan owned sprawling 13 acre Lemont location, He remarked, "It's all Baba's
grace to see that Chicagoland is blessed with two Shirdi Sai Baba Mandirs".
The mandir is open now during the hours of 9AM-1PM in the
morning and 6PM-9PM in the evening for all regular services. All the four
Aratis of Baba would be performed just as in Shirdi in India. Samsthan is
celebrating New Year Eve on this location on December 31 from
6.30 PM –12-30 am.For further details, please call
(630)-897-1500 or visit www.saisamsthanusa.org.
New Mandir is located at 1101 Foran Lane, Aurora,
IL 60506
BOW TO SRI SAI - PEACE BE TO ALL !!!
November 30, 2002:
SAI SAMSTHAN USA PROUDLY ANNOUNCES ITS NEW
LOCATION IN AURORA, IL
Sai Samsthan USA is very glad to announce that the City of
Aurora, Illinois, USA passed an ordinance on November 26, 2002 giving Special
Use Permit to establish Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir at 1101 Foran
Lane, Aurora, Ilinois. This new location is conveniently located within
2 miles from Balaji (Sri Venkateswara) Temple in Aurora. Worship services will
be started at the new location beginning Thursday, Dec 19th, 2002.
The Samsthan would build a full-fledged Sai Mandir, a multipurpose hall,
kitchen and other ancillary facilities at this location in year 2003.
December 19,2002 happens to be Shri Dattareya Jayanthi and a
full moon day on a Thursday which combination happens once in every 62 years.
So, the Samsthan has decided to inaugurate the worship services at Aurora
location on this auspicious day. There will be Bhoomishuddi Puja, Havan, Etc.,
along with Dattatreya Jayanthi Celebrations on this day. There after all the
future worship services will continue at this location, including daily Pujas,
four Arathis, special Pujas on every Thursday and Monthly Puja on every last
Sunday of the month. All the future festivals at the Mandir and Shirdi Sai
Mahotsav 2003 will be celebrated at this location. All the Puja details can be
obtained from our website at
http://www.saisamsthanusa.org/web/upcomingevents.aspx
Sai Samsthan USA, a not-for-profit organization has been
dedicated for charitable, religious, educational & scientific purposes
since 1997. The primary objective of Sai Samsthan USA is to establish Shri
Shirdi Saibaba Mandir in metropolitan Chicago and facilitate worship, spiritual
and religious services similar to Shri Sai Baba Mandir, Shirdi, India.
The new official mailing address of the mandir for all future
correspondence is 1101 Foran Ln, Aurora, IL-60506, USA.
All further information can be obtained by calling 630-783-1400
or visiting our website at the following link.
http://www.saisamsthanusa.org/web/upcomingevents.aspx
Board of Trustees, Sai Samsthan USA
September 1, 2002: From the Chairman, Sai Samsthan USA:
SHIRDI SAI
MAHOTSAV 2003, an international congregation of Sai devotees, will be
celebrated by Shri Shirdi Saibaba Mandir Chicago and Sai Samsthan USA. The
event will reflect the universality of the philosophy of Shri Shirdi Saibaba, a
unique Saint of the modern times. This family oriented event will be organized
during the Labor Day week-end on August 30-31, 2003 in the Metropolitan
Chicago.
The tentative program will
include various puja sessions (Havan, Abhishek, Archana, Arti, etc.), spiritual
discourses in English by Sai Apostles and leaders of other major religions of
the world, and Bhajans and Kirtans by renowned artists from India and devotee
groups in U.S.A. Devotees will also be able to pursue their individual
spiritual endeavors by participating in Sai Nam Jap, Sai Satcharita Parayan and
meditation. Special activities are also being planned for the youth and
children. Festival of Lights incorporating the themes of Divali, Christmas and
Hanukkah is also being planned.
A large number of devotees
across the globe are anticipated to participate in this great spiritual event,
Shirdi Sai Mahotsav. We request all Sai devotees to make it a great
success and receive Baba’s blessings. For more details and updates, visit
http://www.saisamsthanusa.org/ or call 630-897-1500.
BOW TO SHRI SAI AND PEACE BE TO ALL!!!
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