Special Sri Sai Baba & Saraswati Puja for All Children/Students attending Final Exams in 2018.

Aum Sai Ram.

Jai Sai Ram.

Well & Wish to hear the same from you. It is been a long time writing to you all. First & Foremost a Very Happy Fun Filled, God Blessed, Healthy, Prosperous & Successful English/Georgian Calender New Year 2018.

With the Grace & Divine Blessings of Mother, God & Sadguru It all started in 2008 when I started Performing the Puja for Couple of Distressed Children who were going to write their Annual/Final Exams & I wanted to give them Mother's & Guru's Blessing to perform well & Score the Best.

I've been Performing Special Sri Sai Baba & Sri Saraswati Samuhika/Group Puja for All the Students who are going to face Different Exams in the coming months of February, March, April & May 2018.

I’ve Successfully Completed 10 years of Special Sri Sai Baba & Saraswati Samuhika/Group Prayers.

This is the 11th Year that I’m performing this Puja to Benefit Sai's Children attending their exams.

I’m Commencing the Prayers from Monday, 22nd Jan 2018 – Vasantha Panchami which is famous for Saraswati Avahana & Saraswathi Puja. Basantha Panchami or Vasantha Panchami is the Panchami Thithi during Shukla Paksham of Magha Masam.

Instead of commencing Special Puja Starting on the Thursday After Vasantha Panchami, I’m commencing Puja from Vasantha Panchami Thithi which is on Monday, 22nd Jan 2018.

Vasantha Panchami Details:

    Vasant Panchami is a festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. There is no specified time for performing Saraswati puja on this day, however it is stated that all the rituals should be perform when the ‘Panchami’ (5th day) thithi is prevailing.

    On the day of Vasant Panchami, people dress up in yellow clothes. Yellow is a color that signifies vibrancy of life and vividness of nature. Young girls particularly adorn bright yellow dresses and participate in the festivities. Yellow is also known to be the color of love, prosperity and purity.

    The devotees get up early and begin preparations for worshipping Goddess Saraswati. The idols of Saraswati are beautifully adorned and devotees offer prayers with full devotion.

On this day Yellow or White Colored Flowers are offered to Goddess Saraswati and special bhog of ‘Kesar Halwa’ made from flour, nuts, sugar and cardamom powder is prepared. This preparation also includes saffron strands giving it mild fragrance and vibrant yellow color.

Havan and other puja rituals are performed on this day. After the puja, the Prasad is distributed among all the students and devotees.

The day of Vasant Panchami holds special significance for students. As Saraswati is the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge, students worship Her with immense fervour and zeal.

They keep their notebooks, pens and pencils near Goddess Saraswati’s feet and ask for enlightenment.

The day of Vasant Panchami is also considered auspicious for initiating studies in young children. This tradition is called ‘’Vidya Arambham’ or ‘Akshar Abhyasam’ and is very predominant in different parts of the country. Schools and colleges organize special events on this day.

Important Timings On Vasant Panchami

Sunrise: 22 Jan 2018 06:49 AM
Sunset:  22 Jan 2018 18:17 PM

Panchami Tithi Begins: 03:33pm on 21 Jan 2018.
Panchami Tithi Ends:    04:24pm on 22 Jan 2018.

Vasant Panchami Puja Muhurtam for Students:
06:50 AM – 07:45 AM, 08:40 AM -- 10:50 AM.

Best Muhurtam: 09:40 AM - 09:50 AM - Guru Hora.

This Year I'll be performing 11 Thursday Special Puja starting from 25th Jan 2018 till 5th April 2018. 

I'll be continuing for 7 more weeks to complete 18 weeks from 12th April 2018 till 24th May 2018  for special Cases & for those who want Special Extra Prayers/Attention for their Children/Students.

On Every Thursday, After Puja Sankalpam of Students, Sheerabishekam & Panchamrutha Abhishekam to Sri Sai Baba will be Peformed.

Sri Sai Baba Ashtothara Shata Namavali, 
Sri Dattatreya Ashtothara Shata Namavali, 
Sri Guru Dakshina Murthy/Navagraha Guru,

Sri Durga Ashtothara Shata Namavali, 
Sri Saraswati Ashtothara Shata Namavali, 
Sri Lakshmi Ashtothara Shata Namavali,
Sri Raja Rajeswari Ashtothara Shata Namavali ,

Sri Kala Bhairava Ashtothara Shata Namavali  & 108 Pradakshina to Shirdi Sai Baba at Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple will be Performed every Thursday.

Dhoopa, Deepa & Naivaithyam will be performed.

Offerings of Dry Coconut, Nava Graha Dhanya (9 Grains) & Ghee to Dhuni will be performed during Dhuni Puja.

The 1st Week Puja has been planned to be commenced with the Blessings of Mother at My Home at Tumkur, Karnataka on 22nd Jan 2018.

This time too, I'll be performing 74 days (22nd Jan 2018 till 5th April 2018) Daily Puja to Sai Baba by performing Sankalpam, Archana to Sri Sai Baba & Kumkum Archana to Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi. Homam will be performed once during the Puja Period for the Benefit of Students. 

Extra 49 days (6th April 2018 till 24th May 2018) will be performed for those Performing Extra Special Prayers for their Children.

Dates of Thursday Puja:
01: 25th January 2018.

02: 01st Febraury 2018.
03: 08th Febraury 2018.
04: 15th Febraury 2018.
05: 22nd Febraury 2018.

06: 01st March 2018.
07: 08th March 2018.
08: 15th March 2018.
09: 22nd March 2018.
10: 29th March 2018 &

11: 5th April 2018.

Dates of Extra Thursday Puja:
 
12. 12th April 2018.
13. 19th April 2018.
14. 26th April 2018.

15. 03th May 2018.
16. 10th May 2018.
17. 17th May 2018 &
18. 24th May 2018.

Parents & Guardians interested in joining in this Special Prayer can send the Names of the Children along with the other Details Like Standard in which the Student is studying, Place, State, Gothra, Nakshatra & Rashi. Puja will be performed on their Names.

Those interested in sending the details can Please send the same to my mail id: saiinc@ymail.com

Those of you Interested in making any contribution to this Special Puja can Deposit their contributions by NEFT or Cash Deposit to below given Bank Accounts or Contact me at my mail id: saiinc@ymail.com for more info. 

Those interested in getting Extra Prayers during the extra Weeks can contact me for the Puja Contribution Details.

Those who have made the Contributions may mail us about the same to add your names under the List of Contributors. Contributing to this Prayer is Voluntary & as per one's Desires. It is not done in a Commercial Way.

Bank Details:
Name: RAGHAV N

1. Corporation Bank, Tumkur Main Branch
    IFSC CODE: CORP0000079
    ACCOUNT NO: 520101195587861 [Newly Updated No from Bank]


OR

2. Canara Bank, Tumkur Main Branch
    IFSC CODE: CNRB0000522 
    ACCOUNT NO: 0522101061052

List of Contributors:

01. 12th Jan 2018, Dr. M Saha, Kolkata. 
                            -- Anonymous

02. 12th Jan 2018, Dr. M Saha, Kolkata.                                                
                            -- Anonymous

03. 17th Jan 2018, Mr. Rakesh Bhuptani, Mumbai.
                            -- 229. Bhavik Bhuptani
                            -- 230. Vrushali Bhuptani

04. 18th Jan 2018, Mrs. Padma Nayar, Kochi. 
                            -- 232. Pranav Bhatnagar
                            -- 233. Sanjana Bhatnagar
                            -- 234. Adithi Sundaram

05. 22nd Jan 2018, Mrs. Aparna Ram, Chennai.    
                             -- 15. Avaneesh Krishna
                             -- 16. Ashwina Leka
                             -- 17. Madurima

06. 24th Jan 2018, Mrs. Laveena Reddy, Bengaluru.   
                             -- 238. Sai Sharan J
                            -- 239. Chaitanya. J

07. 3rd Feb 2018, Mr. Arumugam, Doha, Qatar. 
                           -- 49. A. Mohitaa

08. 5th Feb 2018, Mrs. Chandrika Gummaluri, USA.    
                           -- 207. Chandrika Gummaluri
                           -- 208. Sravya Gummaluri
                           -- 209. Revati Gummaluri

09. 5th Feb 2018, Mrs. Prasanna Lakshmi, Hyderabad. 
                           -- 289. T. K. S. Sai Lakshmi Sameera
                           -- 290. G.H.L.Supriya    

10. 6th Feb 2018, Mr. Anandan Kalyanaraman, Dubai. 
                           -- 119. S. Anjana Anandan
                           -- 120. A Mahalakshmi

11. 15th Feb 2018, Dr. Manjuvani, Madagasira.
                            -- 242. Abhyuday
                            -- 243. Sharan

12. 19th Feb 2018, Mrs. Madhavi @ Madhu, Bengaluru.    
                             -- 78. Sahiti Raju Mannem
                             -- 79. Sahishnu Raju Mannem
                             -- 80. Sai Sudhanva Kunchala
                             -- 273. Mahita Sarvani

13. 22nd Feb 2018, Dr. M Saha, Kolkata. 
                              -- Anonymous

14. 1st Mar 2018, Anonymous, 
                           -- Anonymous    
  
15. 1st Mar 2018, Mr. Nitin Poojari, Mumbai. 
                           -- 264. Vikhyat    

16. 8th Mar 2018, Mr. Ginnaram Sreenivas Reddy. Hyderabad. 
                           -- 329. Ginnaram Akshaj Reddy

17. 4th Apr 2018, Mrs. Punitha Chandrana, Chennai.
                           -- 123. Jas Girish Chandrana

I Thank all the Above Families, who have supported this cause & made Genuine Contributions towards the Puja to benefit not only their wards but all the students. Thanks once again for your support.


We will not be displaying the Names of the Children as some of the Parents especially from Abroad feel it may create problems to their children in future. I don't honestly know what sort of problems.

But I'll sending the serial no through email to the parents who send the names. I'll also keep a head count of children & mention the same after completion of every thursday prayers during Summary of Week's Prayer.

With Sai's Luv & Best Wishes.

All the Very Best for all the Children attending Exams in the coming Months.

Raghav N for Sri Naga Sayee Foundation.

Shirdi Sai Baba Idol Story.

Aum Sai Ram.

Shirdi Sai Baba Idol Story.

After Mahasamadhi, Sai Baba was worshiped by a Sai Baba Large Portrait and it was placed near the Samadhi / Tomb of Sai Baba .

Arrivals of White Marble.
 
The Sai Baba statue was not installed until 1954, after 36 years his Mahasamadhi.

Some white marble arrived from Italy at the Bombay docks, but no one knew anything about it who send and why ?. In the absence of a claimant, the dockyard auctioned it and the purchaser offered it to the Shirdi Sansthan (temple authorities). 

Shirdi Sansthan was impressed by the quality of the marble, they wanted to use it for an idol of Baba Sai Nath and gave the commission to a sculpture from Bombay, Balaji Vasant Talim. The Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan gave him the gigantic task of sculpting Idol of Sai baba.

He prayed to sai baba to help him for this devotional work by presenting sight of sai baba. He knew if he would make same idol as Sai baba then the idol will be more worthy and devotees felt real sai baba on it. 

We all know sai baba helps each one so sai baba helped him to present himself sight in the studio while sculpting. He thanked to Sai baba and tried to make same idol . After blessings of Sai baba The beautiful Murthy is world famous. It is worshipped by devotees who flock to the Samadhi Mandir from all over the world. Caste, creed and a social status is no bar. The height of the idol is 5 foot 5 inch .

The statue was installed on 7 October 1954, on Vijayadasami day. As the main object of adoration in Shirdi, the idol is accorded all due honours. Out of their love for Baba Devotees wish to provide every comfort and respect they can.

Sai baba was served as Living person.
 
Accordingly, Baba is given a hot water bath in early morning, then offered breakfast, lunch and dinner, has his clothes changed four times in a day. he is adorned with a silver or gold crown for the Aarti. 

At night a mosquito net is hung and the tomb is spread with a special white cloth of plain cotton, of the kind that Baba kafni was made. Each morning at 4oclock, Baba is woken up, the mosquito net is removed, and incense is offered ( this ritual in known as bhupali ). A glass of water is kept by his side. Sai baba is served as he is living among them.

Baba Sitting on Stone.

Aum Sai Ram.

The Stone on which Baba sat.

 This stone is placed in the center of the eastern wall of the Sabhamandap. Baba used to sit on this stone facing west. Small marble padukas were installed on this stone. Now the marble padukas are replaced with silver padukas.

 Baba often sat in the Sabhamandap. It was the portico in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum, (Dwraka Mai). There Baba sat on this stone. First this stone was adjacent to the Dwarka Mai. Later it was moved to the eastern wall.

 Once a phelvan (body builder), who was extremely proud of his strength came to Shirdi.  Baba casually asked him to move the stone, from its original place to where it now.  But try as he may it did not budge an inch. The phelvan stood silently, looking at the stone and then at Baba.  Then Baba laughed and with his satka played with it as if it was a small ball. Then with 3 steps small he moved it to the eastern wall. Needless to say the phelvan was humbled, and he returned home.

Ref Sai Baba Hach Chamatkar by Dr. Keshav B. GavankarGavankar.

Source: Baba’s Gurukul compiled by Vinny Chitluri.

Original Snap Sai Baba in the Chavadi - Raj Upchar Photo.

Aum Sai Ram.

This is an Original Photograph of Sai Baba in the Chavadi.

It’s known as the ‘Raj Upchar’ photograph. Raj upchar consists of an elaborate ritual that consists of about 30 smaller rituals including a Snan of various ingredients. They are ‘Panchamrut snan’, ‘Sudh Dravya snan’, Chandan snan and Abhishek. Since all these rituals cannot be performed to a photograph only ‘Panch Ppchar’ is performed.

This Photograph is taken to the Samadhi Mandir, every Thursday in the afternoon. There it is placed on the Samadhi, after Dhoop Arati at 8.45 p.m. It is then taken in the Palki Procession.

It is the only photograph that has been clad with a silken ‘Sovala’. Here an explanation is necessary. Some Brahmins who are considered pure, and holy (sovale) have by ablution or other purification rituals attained the state of the highest and most sacred. 

If they come into contact with persons or articles that are ‘ovale’ (impure) their state of sovale is tarnished. 

This word is used for clothes, utensils, food and things in general. These are made fit for use after washing and other purification rituals. But silk and woolen clothes are used by the sovale person without any restriction.

Baba’s photograph is taken to the Samadhi Mandir where the Pujari does ‘Panch Upchar’. That is Applies Gandh or Sandal wood paste. Offers Pushpa (Flowers), Dhup (Incense), Deepa (lighted lamp) and Naivedya (Food Offering).

Then the photograph is clad with the silk sovale. This is the dress code or way of tying the dhoti with pleats covering the genital organs tightly for males. And for females the pleats of the sari do the same..

Now the photo in the 'Ladies side' of the Chavadi also has a 'sola' and the timings for the Arathi's have changed.

Sai Baba Fake Photograph.

Aum Sai Ram.

On the Internet is a widely circulated Sai Baba Fraud Picture that is claimed to be an authentic photograph of Shirdi Sai Baba. The Fake Sai Baba Picture in question is a photograph that was “antiqued” to make it look older than it actually is.

Fake Photographs displayed in Web Media and Social Networks as original Photographs of Shri Sai Baba and Shirdi - Courtesy:Vinny Chitluri

Baba Rarely gave His consent for His photographs to be taken. However a few photographs were indeed taken. Most of these photographs were taken after 1900 and at that time Baba was not young.

The Above photograph was first published in 1930 in a Magazine called “Manoranjan” and Shri.Shripad Keshev Naik had written that this was “Shri Samarth Shirdi Che Sai Baba”.

However this photograph is of SHRI ADVETANAND SARASVATI BAAL BRAMACHARI SWAMI MAHARAJ of Sarvabhauma Datta Sansthan, Vitthal Chaitanya Vishranthi Mutt, Ganagapur, Gulbarga District of Karnataka State.

This Swami took Samadhi in Bhadrapad Ved Panchami in Shake 1830 that is 1908 of the English Calander. This information was provided by a person whose father was a disciple of this Swami and he had the photograph of the Swami from his father. (Reference: Sai Anantha. July 2009, year 4, Ank 14)

It is very disconcerting that major Sai Baba websites carry this picture on their websites claiming it is an authentic picture of Shirdi Sai Baba. It isn’t. For those who love, adore and respect Shirdi Sai Baba, this article is intended to foster devotion.