International

The story of Shirdi Sai Baba, the revered Indian spiritual master, is a compelling narrative of humble beginnings that blossomed into a worldwide movement.

His life in the small village of Shirdi, marked by profound simplicity and miraculous happenings, laid the foundation for a spiritual legacy that continues to draw millions of devotees from across the globe.

The growth of the Shirdi Sai Baba movement can be understood through the intertwined histories of the devotee journeys to his abode, the development of the temple complex in Shirdi, and the eventual global dissemination of his teachings.

The Genesis of Devotee Journeys to Shirdi

In the mid-19th century, a young, unnamed fakir arrived in the village of Shirdi in Maharashtra, India. His enigmatic presence under a neem tree, where he sat in deep meditation, initially drew curiosity and some apprehension from the villagers. However, his profound spiritual aura and compassionate nature soon began to attract a small group of followers.

Among the earliest devotees were Mahalsapati, the priest of the local Khandoba temple, and Bayajabai Kote Patil. Mahalsapati was the first to address the fakir as “Sai,” meaning “Mother,” a name that would become eternally associated with him. Bayajabai, moved by compassion for the young ascetic, regularly provided him with food.

As tales of Sai Baba’s wisdom and miraculous abilities circulated, the number of visitors to Shirdi steadily grew. People from surrounding villages and towns undertook arduous journeys to seek his blessings, healing, and spiritual guidance.

These early pilgrims were witnesses to Baba’s unique way of life in the dilapidated Dwarkamai mosque, where he maintained a sacred fire (dhuni) from which he would give sacred ash (udi) to his devotees as a symbol of his blessings and a medium of healing.

The journeys were not just physical travels but transformative spiritual quests for those who came in search of solace and answers.

The Evolution of the Shirdi Temple Complex

The physical landscape of Shirdi has transformed in tandem with the growing number of devotees. In the beginning, the primary sites of spiritual significance were the neem tree under which Baba first appeared, known as Gurusthan, and the Dwarkamai mosque, which served as his unconventional abode.

A pivotal development in the history of the Shirdi temple was the construction of the Samadhi Mandir. Originally intended as a wada (a large private house) by a wealthy devotee from Nagpur named Gopalrao Booty, the purpose of the structure was altered by Baba himself.

Shortly before his Mahasamadhi (conscious departure from the body) in 1918, Baba expressed his wish to be interred there. Following his passing, the wada was transformed into the Samadhi Mandir, housing his sacred tomb.

Over the decades, as the influx of pilgrims swelled, the temple complex expanded significantly. Various other structures were built, modified including the Chavadi, a small building where Baba used to sleep on alternate nights, and the Lendi Baug, a garden that Baba himself lovingly tended.

Today, the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust manages the sprawling temple complex, which caters to the needs of millions of pilgrims annually, providing accommodation, food, and facilities for worship. The temple’s development from a humble mosque and a tree to a magnificent complex is a testament to the enduring faith of Sai Baba’s followers.

The Global Proliferation of the Shirdi Sai Baba Movement

For several decades after Sai Baba’s Mahasamadhi, his following was largely concentrated in Maharashtra and other parts of India. The dissemination of his life and teachings was primarily through oral traditions and the writings of his direct disciples.

The 20th century witnessed a significant surge in the movement’s global reach. The publication of the “Shri Sai Satcharita,” a biography and compilation of Baba’s teachings by Govind Raghunath Dabholkar (Hemadpant), played a crucial role in introducing Sai Baba to a wider audience. The book, translated into numerous languages, became a cornerstone for devotees worldwide.

The establishment of Sai Baba temples and centers across India and in various parts of the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and countries in Africa and Asia, marked a new phase in the globalization of the movement.

These centers serve as hubs for the growing diaspora of devotees, facilitating collective worship, community service, and the propagation of Sai Baba’s universal message of love, tolerance, and “Sabka Malik Ek” (One God governs all). The movement’s inclusive nature, which transcends religious and cultural boundaries, has been a significant factor in its global appeal, attracting people from diverse faiths who find solace and inspiration in the life and teachings of the saint of Shirdi.

Here are other significant contributors to Sai Baba’s globalization across India, Asia, America, and Europe.

The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi

While primarily focused on administering the temple complex in Shirdi, the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST) plays a vital, albeit often indirect, role in the movement’s global growth.

• Maintaining the Authenticity: The SSST is the custodian of the rituals and traditions established during Baba’s time. The daily schedule of aartis, pujas, and festivals in Shirdi serves as the blueprint for temples worldwide, ensuring a consistent and authentic form of worship.
• Source of Inspiration and Blessings:
• For global devotees, Shirdi remains the spiritual epicenter. The SSST facilitates the pilgrimage of millions, including a vast international diaspora. Many overseas temple founders and key devotees make regular trips to Shirdi to seek blessings and inspiration for their own community activities.
• Provider of Idols and Sacred Items:
• Many newly established temples across the world seek to install idols that have been blessed in Shirdi. The SSST often assists in providing or sanctifying these murtis (idols), along with sacred items like udi (sacred ash) and copies of the Sai Satcharita, creating a direct spiritual link back to the main shrine.

When discussing the growth and consolidation of the Shirdi Sai Baba movement, especially after Baba’s Mahasamadhi, the contributions of Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Dr. Chandra Bhanu Satpathy (Guruji) are pivotal. They represent two distinct, crucial phases in the expansion of Baba’s legacy.

Here’s what to include about each of them:

The Role of Media and the Arts

Art and media have transcended geographical and linguistic barriers, introducing Sai Baba to millions who have never visited India.

• Iconic Cinema: The 1977 Hindi film “Shirdi Ke Sai Baba,” starring Sudhir Dalvi, was a monumental success. It became the primary visual reference for Sai Baba for generations and was dubbed or subtitled in numerous languages. Its heartfelt portrayal of Baba’s life and miracles was instrumental in spreading awareness across the Indian subcontinent and among the global diaspora. The actor Manoj Kumar, who was involved with the film, was even honored by the Shirdi Sansthan for his role in popularizing Baba’s story.
• Television Series: In the modern era of television and online streaming, the Hindi series “Mere Sai – Shraddha Aur Saburi” (My Sai – Faith and Patience) has had a profound international impact. Available on platforms like SonyLIV with subtitles, it has introduced Baba’s life story and teachings to a new generation of viewers globally in a detailed, episodic format.

Western Academics and Authors

The scholarly study of Shirdi Sai Baba by Western academics has been crucial in presenting his story to a non-devotional, international audience and has contributed to the understanding of his universal appeal.

• Dr. Antonio Rigopoulos: This Italian scholar from the University of Venice authored “The Life and Teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi” (1993). It was the first comprehensive, book-length academic study of Shirdi Sai Baba, meticulously documenting his life, analyzing his teachings, and exploring his syncretic Hindu-Sufi traditions. His work is a cornerstone of Sai Baba studies in the Western world.
• Dr. Karline McLain: A professor at Bucknell University (USA), her book “The Afterlife of Sai Baba: Competing Visions of a Global Saint” (2016) traces Baba’s evolution from a village guru to a global phenomenon. She examines how different groups—from early hagiographers to Bollywood filmmakers—have interpreted and presented Baba, contributing to his ever-widening popularity.