Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA
Shirdi Sai
Florida Center,
Inverness, FL
(It is like being at Shirdi in USA)
4707 S. Pleasant Grove Road
Inverness, Florida 34452
call us at : (352)-860-2181
You may also reach us by email at info@shirdiusa.com
About Shirdi Sai Baba
The birth and parentage of Sai Baba are wrapped in mystery. Many authors and scholars conclude from various proofs that Baba was born at Pathri village in Parabhani District, Maharashtra State, India. Baba himself gave some hints about his life, which have been verified. He seems to have been born some time between 1820 and 1850 A.D. His parents were Brahmins. They handed him over to the care of a fakir, who in turn passed on the young child to a saintly person named Gopal Rao Deshmukh, an ardent worshipper of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati. After ten years, his Guru directed him to move westward and after some wanderings, Sai Baba settled and spent the rest of his life at Shirdi. It is believed that Baba first came to Shirdi in 1854 and lived there for three years.
The
birth and parentage of Sai Baba are wrapped in mystery. Many authors and
scholars conclude from various proofs that Baba was born at Pathri village in
Parabhani District, Maharashtra State,
India. Baba
himself gave some hints about his life, which have been verified. He seems to
have been born some time between 1820 and 1850 A.D. His parents were Brahmins.
They handed him over to the care of a fakir, who in turn passed on the young
child to a saintly person named Gopal Rao Deshmukh, an ardent worshipper of
Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati. After ten years, his Guru directed him to move
westward and after some wanderings, Sai Baba settled and spent the rest of his
life at Shirdi. It is believed that Baba first came to Shirdi in 1854 and lived
there for three years. He disappeared from there for sometime and returned to
Shirdi with a marriage party in 1858 and lived there for sixty years till his
Mahasamadhi in 1918 (Vijaya Dasami Day). He lived a simple life in a mosque. He
never accumulated wealth. He advocated faith in God and tolerance towards all
as the basic tenets for religious life.
The
early decades spent by Baba at Shirdi are not well documented. He was first
living under a margosa tree, leading a simple life. Next, he moved to a mosque
in the village, and resided there until the end of his life. Impact of the
immortal teachings, Leelas (Divine experiences) and miracles of Sai Baba were
greatly felt by numerous devotees who visited the place. Thus, Shirdi has
become the prime place of pilgrimage. To his devotees, Baba has come to stay as
the embodiment of supreme spirit, primary cause of the Universe, pure
consciousness and God incarnate. Few years before his Mahasamadhi, Baba said
that even after his passing away, he would speak from the Samadhi (tomb). This
assurance came out absolutely true, Baba seems to be more active now than when
he was living.
Amongst
his qualities, the most notable was love - uniform, all embracing, intense
love, showered on all and at all times, without any limit of sacrifice involved
or any expectation - truly unconditional love at its highest. Baba was nothing
but the embodiment of love. From the very beginning, he was always helping
people, at first by dispensing medicines and later by dispensing ‘udhi’
(vibuthi) or ashes from the fire that he always kept burning by him. Udhi
played an important part in the grace shown by Baba to people, and it is still
being sought and used by devotees all over the world. But, as Baba explained,
it is not the Udhi itself that works the wonder, but it is the devotees’ bhakti
(faith and devotion), that leads to the good results produced by the udhi.
The
question is often asked whether Baba was a Hindu or Moslem. When we come to
take an impartial view, we find, whether we are Hindus or Moslems, that this
question is irrelevant or of very little importance. By birth, he was of
Brahmin parents, and hence by a very large number of persons, he is considered
to be a Brahmin. But as fate would have it, his Guru directed him to go
westwards and Baba had to spend the rest of his life in a mosque, moving with
all alike as an ativarnasrami, i.e., one beyond all caste rules. To those who
considered him a Moslem, he responded as a Moslem and to those who cared to
treat him as a Hindu, he responded as a Hindu; and he expounded the Koran to
the former and the Sastras to the latter. Whether Baba was a Hindu or a Moslem,
he allowed every sect to keep to its own method of approaching God. To Hindus,
he said: ‘Continue your Rama worship, and worship the stones which your
forefathers worshipped’. He even presented some lingams, silver padukas,
pictures and coins for worship by Hindus. To Moslems, he never gave any of
these but allowed them to follow their nirakara (formless) form of worship as
far as it is possible. So, the question of Sai Baba being a Hindu or Moslem is
largely irrelevant because of his views and practice.
Philosophy
Sai Baba did not
preach or deliver sermons, and there are no known philosophical compositions
that can be attributed to Sai Baba. However, his way of life has influenced far
many people than many philosophers have. Sai Baba was in unison with God, and
that is why his very presence had an elevating influence on those who came for
his Darshan, and that darshan was enough to transform even a casual visitor -
an atheist into a believer, a pessimist into an optimist, a sinner into a God's
man. By 'philosophy of Sai Baba', we mean his way of life which exemplified
certain principles. These principles weave the fabric of Baba's philosophy and
help millions of his devotees around the world. The corner stones of Baba's
principles include:
Equality:Baba was extremely
successful in building strong bonds between individuals of different faiths and
beliefs. Also, to Baba, there is no difference between poverty and prosperity.
Once a person stepped into his Dwarkamai .he was neither rich nor poor, neither
a Raja nor Praja (subjects), neither a landlord nor a laborer. People coming to
him forget these differences of wealth and position. The common meals which Sai
Baba cooked and served with his own bands in Dwarkamai was an object lesson in
equalityDevotion:One important feature in all of Baba's ideology is an emphasis on devotion. He was convinced of the power of prayer in relieving physical and mental distress, but advised all individuals to exercise caution and never be swept away by fanaticism. He knew the pitfalls of living in a deep hole under the guise of devotion with little or no action. He emphasized that devotion leads to focus, which in turn leads to identification of goals and objectives in life; both spiritual and material. Upon recognizing the needs and priorities, a focused being accomplishes what it seeks. Sai Baba used his skills to educate the spiritually-ignorant on the need to acquire knowledge of the divine for enhancing their intellects, which he believed would produce wisdom, which in turn would lead to devotion.
Humility:Baba always stayed simple and did not publicize his holiness. Despite being an immortal, he remains humble to the core. It was just for this reason that Baba never consented to be a Guru and never made any disciples, for this institution of Gurus leads to ownership and property rights which Baba strictly opposed. This shows that a hundred years back Baba put into practice the principles of democracy, socialism and secularism which form the basis for many societies today.
Teachings:
Even
sayings of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba
“Whoever puts his feet on Shirdi
soil, his sufferings would come to an end”“The wretched and miserable would rise into plenty of joy and happiness, as soon as they climb the steps of my Samadhi”
“I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body”
“My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees”
“I shall be active and vigorous even from the tomb”
“My mortal remains would speak from the tomb”
“I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuse in me”
“If you look to me, I look to you.
If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it”
“If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once”
“There shall be no want in the house of my devotees.”
History
The members of
the local community began to participate in the Temple activities and
management in early 2000. The Yernenis, together with a team of community
devotees, began planning the permanent facilities for the Temple. The Yernenis
donated land just South of where the original temple was located. The Temple
was moved to this property in 2002. It was temporarily established in a double
wide mobile home. The center began to attract devotees from all parts of
Florida as it was the only Shirdi Sai Temple in the state. With constant involvement
and management from several local devotees, the plans to construct a large
center began to take shape.
The construction of the new
center started in 2004. On march25, 2005, Shirdi Sai Florida Center commenced
pooja in the new Temple with Murthi Prathishthapna and three days of
celebrations. Over 2000 devotees from all parts of Florida and other states
participated in the opening celebrations. The temple has now become a prime
place of pilgrimage for Shirdi Sai Baba devotees and attracts many visitors
throughout the year. Expansion plans are in place to develop facilities to
provide the devotees the devotional experience similar to the one they would
have during their visit to Shirdi, India.
Books
There are many
books available on the life and teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba. Here is a list of
a few books that you might find useful. We have also provided links for some
ebooks that you can access online.
- Unravelling the Enigma
“Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light of Sufism"
by : Dr. Marianne Warren
(Rs.375.00) - "True Tales of Shirdi Sai Baba"
By : Prof. Dr. B.H. Briz Kishore
(Rs.95.00) - "Life History of Shirdi Sai Baba"
by : Ammula Sambasiva Rao
Rs.95.00) - "God Who Walked on Earth"
"The Life & Times of Shirdi Sai Baba"
by : Rangaswami Parthasarthy
(Rs.95.00)
"Sri
Sai Baba"
by Sai Saran Anand
(Rs.125.00)
by Sai Saran Anand
(Rs.125.00)
"Sri
Shirdi Sai Baba : The Universal Master"
by : Dr. S.P. Ruhela
(Rs.65.00)
by : Dr. S.P. Ruhela
(Rs.65.00)
"Shri
Shirdi Sai Baba"[in pictures]
by : Gaurav K Ghai
(Rs.10.00)
by : Gaurav K Ghai
(Rs.10.00)
"108 Names of God:Shirdi Sai Baba"
By V. Kumar
(Rs.50.00)
By V. Kumar
(Rs.50.00)
The primary
objectives and purposes of
Shirdi Sai Florida Center (SSFC) are :
Shirdi Sai Florida Center (SSFC) are :
1. To educate and promote understanding of
the Shirdi Sai Baba’s doctrines, beliefs, and teachings
2. To provide Hindu religious, educational,
cultural, and intellectual interchange within the SSFC devotees community
3. To teach, commemorate, and celebrate
various Hindu religious festivals, rituals, and events
4. To preserve and promote religious,
educational, cultural, community service and such other SSFC programs and
activities as shall from time to time meet the needs of the SSFC community
The Trustees of the Shirdi Sai
Florida Center have approved a revised Master Plan for expansion of the
facilities at the center.The Trustees wish to provide the devotees an experience similar to what they would have at Shirdi, India.
The following facilities, together with substantial site improvements, are planned or completed:
- Dwarkamai/Dhuni
- Hanuman Temple
- Covered Pavilion for dining
- Additional Parking
- Children's Play Area
In this library section, we have provided links where you will be able to access prominent literature and devotional books.
Sree Vishnu Sahasranama
Sthotram
http://www.saibaba.us/texts/vishnusahasranama.pdf
CHILDERN'S SAI BABAhttp://www.saibaba.us/texts/vishnusahasranama.pdf
Very colorful site that will attract children to learn
about Sai Baba :
http://www.saibaba.us/texts/childrensai/cs.htm
This site has all Sai Baba Arthis and Bhajans:
http://www.saibaba.org/arathi.html
You can read all the chapters of Sai Satcharitra at this site:
http://www.saibaba.org/saisatc.html
Read the story of Sai Baba in a detailed book on this site:
http://www.saibaba.org/saint.html
Shri Sai Baba Archana (108 Names)
http://www.saibaba.org/srisaibabaarchana.htm
The Navagrahas or
Nine Planetary Gods in Hindu
Religion and
their Significance
The Hindus
believe that Navagrahas play a
key role in their
destiny. and are
responsible for
all the good or bad times
one faces in
life. According to Hindu
Astrology,
significance is attached on the
positions of the
nine planets in the twelve
constellations of
the zodiac, the belt around
the sky in which
the movements of Sun,
Moon and planets
are confined.
People believe
that transition of Saturn,
Jupiter, Rahu and
Ketu from one zodiac
sign to other
sign will bring good or bad or
mixed fortunes.
All miseries and obstacles
caused by one or
many planets will be
mitigated by
chanting Gayatris relevant to
the specific ill
placement of any of these planets in ones horoscope.
Each of the
Navagrahas, except Rahu and Ketu, rules one day each
of the week and
also have Gemstones representing them. The details
of the Navagrahas
are given below.
SURYA (Sun)
: The Sun is
considered as a royal Planet and giver of
life. The day of
Sun is Sunday and gemstone is Ruby. The ill
placement of Sun
in Horoscope can cause mental tension, head
aches, fevers,
body ache, problems of the heart, blood pressure etc.
Surya Namaskar
is a good
practice for attaining a healthy life.
CHANDRA (Moon)
: The Moon
represents the mind, feminine nature,
beauty and
happiness. The mental stability and well being of an
individual to a
larger extent depends on the placement of moon in
horoscope. The
day of the Moon is Monday and gemstone is Pearl.
An ill placement
of the Moon can cause diseases like urinary
infections,
colitis, bronchitis, abdominal problems etc.
Mahalakshmi Pooja
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Kakada arati-8.30
Madhyanha arati-12
Doopa arati-5pm
Sri Suvarna Maha Lakshmi pooja,arati -6.30pm
Please bring your Ganesha and Lakshmi Idols for Pooja
Shejarati-7.30Pm
Win
Lladro Saibaba
Donate $20 and enter a raffle to win a porcelain Lladro figurine os Saibaba. You can
get a raffle ticket at the Temple or danate $20 on the website, indicating that you
want to receive a raffle ticket. The ticket will be mailed to you. Only 700 tickets are authorized
Construction
Progress
The construction
of the Hanuman Temple and Dwarkamai is almost complete. Next time you visit the
temple, please take a look at the two structures coming up. We have designed
the Dwarkamai to server also as a meditation center. Please contribute to the
temple construction fund.
Daily
Schedule
|
Time
|
Service
|
||
|
8:30 AM
|
KAKADA ARATHI
|
||
|
12.00 PM
|
MADHYANHA ARATHI
|
||
|
5:00 PM
|
DHOOP ARATHI
|
||
|
7:30PM
|
SHAYANAM ARATHI
|
||
|
2:00PM TO 4:OOPM CENTER IS OPEN
HOWEVER, PUJARI NOT AVAILABLE UNLESS REQUESTED |
|||
|
|||
|
Date
|
Program
|
||
|
5/12/2013
|
Suvarna
Lakshini Pooja
|
||
|
7/21/2013
|
Guru Poornima
Celebration
|
||
|
8/11/2013
|
Rigveda
Upakarime
|
||
|
8/15/2013
|
Independence
Day
|
||
|
8/16/2013
|
VaraMahaLakshmi
Vratam
|
||
|
8/20/2013
|
Yajurveda
Upakarime
|
||
|
8/22/2013
|
Gayathri Deepa
Yagnam
|
||
|
8/28/2013
|
Krishna
Janmaastami
|
||
|
9/8/2013
|
Swarna Gowri
Vrata
|
||
|
9/8/2013
|
Ganesha
Chathurthi;Ganapathi Homa.
|
||
|
9/21/2013
|
Navagroha 2nd
Anniveriry
|
||
|
10/5/2013
|
Navaraathri -
1st day
|
||
|
10/11/2013
|
Saraswathi
Pooja
|
||
|
10/11/2013
|
Durgastami
Durgadeepa Namskara
|
||
|
10/13/2013
|
Chandi Homa,
Maha Samaadhi Celebrations
|
||
|
Date
|
Program
|
|
10/24/2013
|
Vijaya Dasami
|
|
10/31/2013
|
Dhanteras Pooja
|
|
11/1/2013
|
Naraka
Chathurdhasi
|
|
11/2/2013
|
Deepavali/Lakslymi
Pooja
|
|
11/3/2013
|
Balipaadyami
|
|
11/10/2013
|
Annakoot
|
|
11/16/2013
|
Karthika
Deepotsava
|
|
11/28/2013
|
Samoohika
Sathyanarayana Pooja
|
|
12/21/2013
|
Dutta Jayanthi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accommodations:
Many
devotees travel long distances to visit the Shirdi Sai Florida Center. They
have been requesting that we provide some type of accommodations at the Temple
for those who wish to stay overnight or perhaps a few days. The good news is we
have constructed a duplex at the Temple site. It is available to devotees on a
first come first served basis. We also have a double wide mobile home with four
bedrooms available for devotees..
he
mobile home is being refurbished and is not available currently. Please contact
Temple for accommodation availability in the guest unit in the duplex.
Please call direct to get more information and reservations.
Florida Motel
1301 Highway 41 North, Inverness - (352) 726-2631
www.fl-motels-review.com
Central Motel
721 US Highway 41 South,
Inverness - (352) 726-4515
www.centralmotel.com
Like
all non-profit organizations, your temple is dependent on contributions
of many of its devotees. We use these funds wisely and for the benefit
of the devotees. The recently announced expansion plans is a good indication
of how we strive to improve our facilities and enhance the experiences of our
devotees when they visit the Temple. We will continue to promote Hindu way
of life among our members, their children, friends and families.
You can designate your contributions for specific needs of the temple such as
General, Temple maintained, Deities, Daily Pujas, Building improvements, general etc.
Please let us know your preferences.
You can contribute by sending a check with your name,
address phone number and email and mail to:
The Florida Shirdi Sai BABA Temple
4707 Pleasant Grove Road
Inverness, Florida 34452
call us at : (352)-860-2181
You may also reach us by email at info@shirdiusa.com
SHIRDI
SAI FLORIDA CENTER of many of its devotees. We use these funds wisely and for the benefit
of the devotees. The recently announced expansion plans is a good indication
of how we strive to improve our facilities and enhance the experiences of our
devotees when they visit the Temple. We will continue to promote Hindu way
of life among our members, their children, friends and families.
You can designate your contributions for specific needs of the temple such as
General, Temple maintained, Deities, Daily Pujas, Building improvements, general etc.
Please let us know your preferences.
You can contribute by sending a check with your name,
address phone number and email and mail to:
The Florida Shirdi Sai BABA Temple
4707 Pleasant Grove Road
Inverness, Florida 34452
call us at : (352)-860-2181
You may also reach us by email at info@shirdiusa.com
4707 S. Pleasant Grove Road
Inverness, Florida 34452
call us at : (352)-860-2181
You may also reach us by email at info@shirdiusa.com
Directions
from TAMPA
Starting in TAMPA
or St. Petersburg:
1. Get on to I-275 N toward Ocala
2. Exit onto I-75 N - go 28.3 mi
3. Take exit #301/ORLANDO/BROOKSVILLE
toward BROOKSVILLE/WEEKI WACHEE - go 0.3 mi
toward BROOKSVILLE/WEEKI WACHEE - go 0.3 mi
4. Turn Left on US-98 N - go 9.7 mi
5. Turn Right on US-41 - go 4.2 mi
6. Bear Left on SNOW MEMORIAL HWY(CR-481)
go 3.9 mi,CR-481 becomes CR-581
go 3.9 mi,CR-481 becomes CR-581
7. Continue on S PLEASANT GROVE RD(CR-581)
go 9.0 mi
go 9.0 mi
Arrive
at 4707 S PLEASANT GROVE RD, INVERNESS,
on the Right From WPB/ Orlando
on the Right From WPB/ Orlando
Directions
from Orlando
Starting in
Orlando
1. Take the FLORIDA'S TURNPIKE/OCALA exit
onto FLORIDA'S TPKE North (Toll applies) - go 42.5 mi
onto FLORIDA'S TPKE North (Toll applies) - go 42.5 mi
2. Exit onto I-75 N – Stay in right lane for
first exit
3. Take exit #329/INVERNESS/WILDWOOD towards
INVERNESS/CRYSTAL RIVER
INVERNESS/CRYSTAL RIVER
4. Turn Left on SR-44 W - go 15.1 mi
5. Bear Right on SR-44/US-41
6. Continue to follow SR-44/US-41 - go 0.6
mi,
US-41 bears right, stay on SR-44 on left
US-41 bears right, stay on SR-44 on left
7. Continue on SR-44 - go 0.7 mi
8. Turn Left on PLEASANT GROVE RD(CR-581),
Look for ABC Liquor and Applebee’s on left
Look for ABC Liquor and Applebee’s on left
9. Continue on CR-581, Go 50 yards past BP
gas station on left
10. Arrive at 4707 S PLEASANT GROVE RD,
INVERNESS,
on the Left
on the Left
Directions
Jacksonville/ /Daytona Beach/Gainesville/ Ocala
Starting in Ocala
1. From I-75 South or US-301 South, get
on SR-200 West towards Hernando/Inverness
on SR-200 West towards Hernando/Inverness
2. Continue on SW HIGHWAY 200(SR-200 W)
3. Continue to follow SR-200 W – go approx 18
miles from I-75
4. In Hernando, Turn Left on N FLORIDA
AVE(US-41)go 4.9 mi
5. In Inverness, Bear Right on MONTGOMERY AVE
- go 0.3 mi
6. Turn Right on SR-44 - go 0.5 mi
7. Turn Left on PLEASANT GROVE RD(CR-581),
Look for ABC Liquor and Applebee’s on left
Look for ABC Liquor and Applebee’s on left
8. Continue on CR-581, Go 50 yards past BP
gas station
on left
on left
Arrive
at 4707 S PLEASANT GROVE RD, INVERNESS,
on the Left
on the Left
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection
)
0 comments:
Post a Comment