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Sri Sri Shirdi Saibaba Trust

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History of the temple

Shri Shri Shirdi Sayi Baba Temple at Thanjavur is an Unique Mandir since Baba himself had come to stay here of His Own accord.We are told that about 60 years ago, an old man unloaded a big wooden case

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from Thanjavur Railway Station and left it at a shop nearby, informing that he would come and collect it soon.For a long time the box was lying there and none came claiming for that.Later the shop owner consulted his Lawyer who was then living in East Main Street at Thanjavur who advised him to wait for the stipulated period as per law.After the expiry of such period the Box was opened in 1949 in the presence of that Lawyer.To their astonishment they found a Seated Marble Statue of Shirdi Sayi Nath along with a marble Stone, replica of one such stone, on which Baba used to sit.Since nobody came forward to take care of the idol, that Lawyer Sri. K.T. Balasubrahmania Iyer, Thanjavur, who is the father of our Managing Trustee Sri K.B. Swaminathan,volunteered to build a Temple in their Agricultural land. The Temple was constructed at a higher mound where there was a big Neem tree in front and big Aswatha tree (peepal tree) at the side.A Ganeshji Idol was also installed under the tree.Thus a small Mandir was built for Saibaba some time in 1950 and Kumbabishekam was also performed by him. A Termite hill used as a dwelling for snakes before the temple added grace to the temple. A big well was also constructed and regular worship was arranged in the Sai temple at Thanjavur.After the Lawyer’s sudden demise in 1960, and since all his sons had left Thanjavur, the land along with the Sai Temle also changed hands to a Coconut Merchant in 1966. Unfortunately, the auspicious Neem tree, One, under which Baba used to sit in Shirdi, was cut down by the buyer. But we were told that he lost his life after an accident immediately and his son developed this fertile agricultural land to housing plots It is remarkable to note that for some time Pujya Sri Vibuthi Baba was doing Service at this temple, making a shelter nearby. Further Pujya Sri Karur Narasimha Baba also was showing great interest for large scale expansion of this temple.In spite of opposition from the present owner, regular Pujas, Bhajans were organized by Prof. Dr. Govindarajan and other ardent devotees. Electricity connection to the Temple was arranged from their meager resources. But all efforts towards Temple expansion could not materialize.Sri. K.B. Swaminathan, a member of the Thanjavur Sai temple’s founder, Sri. K.T.B. Iyer’s family, alone, returned back to Thanjavur in the year 1988. When the devotees saw him visiting the Temple, approached him to buy back the Temple & surrounding Land. With his brothers’ commitment and with full involvement of Dr.Guru Govindarajan and Eng.K. Balasundaram efforts were made to buy back the Temple. A trust in the name of “Shri Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Trust Thanjavur” was formed and the Baba Temple and surrounding area (Total area 25625.Sq.Ft,) was bought in the name of Trust on 17.03.2003(Reg.No.488/17). Soon. The Trust started mobilizing Funds As the price was being escalated to Rs.55/Sq.Ft. the Trust finally decided to buy the land of about 32,000 Sq.Ft along with the Temple and thus was the Trust forced to agree for purchasing the same at 17.50 lakhs.But the trust could collect only about Ten Lakhs and by Baba’s Grace, one day the Managing Trustee of Sri Shirdi Sai Trust, Chennai having heard about this Temple from Pujya Sri Karur Baba and our Secretary, suddenly visited our Temple. He was impressed by the Trust’s sincere efforts and the Origin of our Baba’s sudden appearance in 1949 itself at Thanjavur. He graciously agreed to help the Trust with required financial assistance to finalize the deal. Thus the Sai temple land along with the Temple came under the administration of the Shri Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Trust Thanjavur.The members of the Trust planned to rebuild the Temple to accommodate the ever increasing number of devotees. To begin with, auspiciously, the Trust built a new Valampuri Vinayagar temple and Kumbabishekam was performed 01.02.2002. Our ambitious Scheme could not materialize for nearly three years. Again the Managing Trustee of Shri Shirdi Sai Trust Chennai, came to know of our predicament, designed the Mandir as Baba’s Durbar and arranged major contribution entirely for rebuilding the Mandir as Sai’s Durbar To start with the construction, Boomi Puja was done in 2005 in the presence fo Pujya Sri Karur Baba. Along with the Main Temple, Dhuni was also constructed and water supply through a deep bore well and wash room facilities were arranged.The Mahakumbabishekam of Thanjavur Shri Shirdi Sai Bab Mandir was performed on 1st June 2006 before the Managing Trustee of Sri Shirdi Sai Trust, Chennai. The function was well attended by Trustees from various Sai Nath Temples of Tamil Nadu, the devotees from in and around Thanjavur and by all members of the Press and telecasted by all Local TV channels.Our Main motto is to spread Baba’s teachings, his desire to feed the poor, to educate all poor children and to provide Medical facilities. One Mr. Murali Venkatesh, the great Grandson of the founder, donated for the full construction of the Annadaanam Hall. With the generous contribution from Sri Shirdi Sai Trust, Chennai and from donation from devotees, we provide annadhanam for all poor children and devotees Twice Daily, both after Madhyan aarthi and Evening Aarthi.Lot of improvements are made for smooth passage around the temple. A big shed measuring 80’X30’ is constructed before the old temple, now known as Gurusthaan. Arrangements are made here to spread Baba’s teachings through Upanyasam and Bhajans. This Temple is situated in a most backward area under Village Panchayat and one will be thrilled to observe the sincere devotion and service rendered to Baba by the poor children of the locality.We appeal to Sri Sai Nath Devotees all over the world to visiti our Unique Mandir as Baba himself had come as an unclaimed Statue and chosen Thanjavur to be enshrined in 1950 itselt, to shower His Blessings. Thus this greatness of this Sri Sai Nath Mandir is well recognized by all devotees who are being benefited by Sai’s Grace. “ JAI SAI NATH ”.

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