All About Sai Samaj

On 01.09.1943 the Samaj again moved to another place, the sapacious house of Dr. Nanjunda Rao in Brodies Road, (Ramakrishna Math Road), in Mylapore, Gradually the number of devotees grew as also the number of enthusiastic sevaks. Besides daily pooja and bhajans at this place. pooja and bhajans were conducted in the houses of devotees also. Swamiji compiled Sai Sahasranama Stotra and Namavali by 1945. Devotees learnt by heart this Sahasranamavali and began to perform Laklsharchana commencing room the Mahasmadhi celebrations of 1945. Sri Swamiji was also conducting sadhana classes in the evenings when religious works like Bhagavad Gita were recited and expounded, meditation then followed.

On January 14, 1949 the Samaj has to be shifted again. Now it started functioning in a make shift structure put up in the house of late Thyagaraja Iyer in the Alamelumangapuram Road, Mylapore, Swamiji now planned to have a permanent abode to house the Samaj with the donations received in response to his appeal he was able to purchase a vast extent of land in the same road to the west of the location from where the samaj was functioning.

After performing various homas and poojas propitiating the Gods for the welfare of humanity, Sri Swamiji began construction of a temple for Baba at the newly acquired site. When the construction was in progress, on Guru Poornima Day (7th July) in 1952, Swamiji shifted the Samaj to the new site. The main temple with garbhagrihja and tower were ready in October 1953. Sri Swamiji's ambition was fulfilled and Mahakumbabhishekam was performed on 19.10.1953. However, it was ordained by Baba that Swamiji byu the Nishta and saburi he was endowed with transformed this period of torture into a period of bliss and glory when he proceed the greatest of all Sai literature. “The life of Sai Baba" by dictating same to a fortunate devotee who shunned publicity.

Regular worship began in the new Sai Mandir. With the funds available only a zinc-sheet roofed open hall could be constructed inform of the shrine for devotees to sit and stands offer pooja.

In 1954, land measuring approximately 10 grounds to the west of the Sai Mandir came up for sale through court. Since this area would be very useful for expanding the humanitarian activities of the All India Sai Samaj, swamiji acquired this place also with great difficulty.

Sri Swamijis's priorities were service to humanity to the downtrodden in particular. By serving them, he believed, that Baba was best served. Swamiji started feeding the poor whenever possible and started the Sai Free Dispensary wherefrom free Medical Treatment was given to the poor. One doctor, Major Mahadevan, Volunteered to serve honorary.

On October 19, 1956 Sri Swamiji attained nirvana after throwing open the floodgates of Sai devotion and leaving behind an inexhaustible treasure to benefit posterity. Before leaving he declared in unequivocal terms that he would remain (in sukshma Sarira) the permanent and always present guide, director and helper to all.

The physical absence of Sri swamiji did create a vacuum. The attendance to the temple slightly diminished. But the president, Secretary and other Office Bearers chosen by Swamiji were ardent devotees and they strove hard to put the institution on sound footing. Swamiji was a great lover of books. He has collected over 6000 books on various topics - Religion, philosophy, Science, Literature, etc. Enthused by the then secretary, a band of young volunteers catalogued the books scientifically and brought a beautiful and useful library into existence. Swamiji's first Aradhana Day was celebrated as Founder's Day in October 1957 and on this occasion H.H. Narasimhaswamiji Library & Free Reading Room was declared open by late B.N. Datar, then Honble Minister of Home, and Government of India. For a long time thereafter every year, Swamiji's Aradhana Day was being celebrated in a grand manner as Founder's Day and the Annual Day of the Library when eminent persons were invited to speak. In the passage of time, the Library ceased to function and the grand celebration of the Founder's Day lost its significance. By the grace of the Master and swamiji, there is every hope of revival of this very important activity and function.

Besides the activities at Chennai Swamiji desired that the Sai movement should gain momentum and Sai Prachar should go on in an organized manner. With this aim, he introduced holding 'All India Sai Deveets' convention in various parts of the country. The first convention was held under this president ship in 1946 in Chennai, followed by conventions at Coimbatore, Madurai, Kolkata, Dharwad, Poona, Mumbai and Baroda.

The period 1960 to 1970 can be called a "Golden Era" in the history of All India Sai Samaj.

In 1962 an annexed was built to the east of the Dispensary to function as Dental Block.

In May 1965 the 10th All India Sai Devotee's Convention was held at All India Sai Samaj, Chennai. The highlight of the convention was the presence of Sri M.B. Rege. In answer to earnest prayer of the young sevaks, Baba sent him to our midst to speak on this convention and interact with several Sai devotees. It was felt that Sri Sai Baba himself had come in the person of Sri Rege. Even as Sri Rege captivated the hearts of Chennai Devotees, he also became deeply attached to them. With the result, he began visiting Chennai every year till he passed away in 1971. In this convention almost all the elderly Sai devotees who had direct intimate contact with Sri Narasimhaswamiji and were connected with Sai Samajams in various parts of the country participated. In this convention a seminar on religions was arranged and lectures were given on Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism by eminent scholarly persons. Another important feature of this convention was the passing of a resolution unanimously to have Sri Narasimhaswamiji's Portrait displayed in Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi.

On January 26, 1966, Republic Day, the portrait of Sri Narasimhaswamiji was placed at the feet of Sai baba in Shirdi and later displayed in the hall along with the pictures of other prominent Sai Devotees. Sri Sagun Meru Naik, a contemporary devotee of Sri Sai Baba, Had great regard for swamiji and as desired by him, Sri Swamiji's portrait was taken in procession along all the streets of Shirdi before being placed at the Holy feet of Sri Sai baba by no less a person that Rege Maharaj. He declared, “as long as Baba's name is there, the name of Swamiji will also remain linked to that". What a prophetic declaration about a great apostle by a great devotee of a Great Master!

In 1967, as per wishes of Sri Godavari Mataji, a portrait of Sri Narasimhaswamiji was displayed at Sri Upasani Baba's Ashram at Sakori.

By the benign grace of the never failing Master Sri Sai Baba and the blessings of every present Swamiji, what seemed impossible was made possible. The construction of the main pucca RCC roofed hall with inverted beams in place of the zinc sheet roofed shed was nothing but a chamatkar of Baba. The new hall was declared open by Sri Rege Maharaj on Guru Poornima Day in July 1966. Synchronizing with Silver Jubilee Celebration of the All India Sai Samaj. On the occasion, publishing and releasing new books like fourth Volume of Life of Sai Baba and Charters & Sayings in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Gujarathi and Malayalam in addition to English was another achievement.

The thatched – rooted structure temporarily put up to carry on Baba's pooja during the construction of main hall (Balalaya) was converted into a pucca building and a beautiful life size portrait of Radhakrishna brought from Brindavan by one of the Vice Presidents of the Samaj W.V. Naidu was installed there in unjal.

In 1964 litigation had to be faced. Some people wanted All India Sai Samaj to be brought under the purview of H.R. & C.E. of the Government. The question to be settled was whether Sai Samaj came under the purview of Hindu Religious Endowment Act. One of the leading legal luminaries of the country, M.K. Nambiar, a very Senior Advocate, being a devotee of Sri Sai Baba appeared on behalf of the Samaj with his assistant N.A. Subramanian. A judgment was given by the Hon'ble High Court of Madras that All India Sai Samaj did not come under the purview of H.R. & C.E. Act.

1968 was a very important year. It was the 50th year of Baba's Mahasamadhi Golden Jubilee. Preparations were made to celebrate the event in an unprecedented manner.

On February 02, 1987 a marble statue of Sri Saibba was installed. On June 30th 1991 synchronizing with the Golden Jubilee of All India Sai Samaj Mahakumbhabhiskeam was performed for the third time.

To commemorate the Golden Jubilee Department of ENT and Ophthalmology were annexed to the Sai Free Dispensary which already had a Dental Wing, By an order from the high court, after a long gap elections for the posts of office bearers of the Samaj were conducted by a commissioner appointed by the court in 2001. New office bearers were elected.

In June 2002, the Diamond Jubilee of All India Sai Samaj was celebrated in a grand way of All India Sai Devotee's Convention was held. Representatives of various Sai Institutions and other Sai devotees participated as delegates.

Annadhanam was made a special feature of the activities of the Samaj. By the Grace of Sri Sai, this is being continued.

In 2002, the best among all creations of Sri Narasimhaswamiji, the Life of Sai Baba which was earlier published in four volumes, was brought out in one single attractive volume and made available to devotees at a very low price. Response to this edition was excellent: within a short period all the copies were sold out. A second edition has been brought out.

We are now in the fifty-first year after the main Sai Baba Temple was built and consecrated. In a way this turns out to be Golden Jubilee for the Mandir. To commemorate this, a Mahakumbabhishekam has been planned to be performed on 27th June 2004.

In the year 2004 Maha Kubhabhisheka Steering Committee was order by the Honbl'e High Court. Sri S.V.Jayaraman, Senior Aadvocate, Sri M.Venkatachalapathi Senior Advocate, All India Sai Samaj (Regd.) Secretary Sri K.Thangaraj and Members of the Samaj were the Kubhabhishekam Steering Committee. That Committee was done lot of activity for the development of Samaj. The Following developments done by the above Steering Committee,

1. Front view of the Samaj Raja Mandapam was constructed and elevated for the benefit of sai devotees.

2. Introducing Sai Annadhanam scheme first in our samaj by the Steering Committee which is benefit for all the poor people and sai devotees daily. The annadhanam were providing daily around 150 to 200 persons and on Thursday around 1000 to 1500 person.

3. In the Sanctum Sanctorum the main vibration of our Samaj is Baba's portrait was plugged with gold frame.

4. Free Chappal Counter was introduced first in All India Sai Samaj before the Government order passed.

With the blessing of Saibaba and support from your end we were elected as trustees of All India Sai Samaj Mylapore, Chennai for the year 2006 – 2009 and with your cooperation you are all know that we have achieved many things as promised to you during the election campaign we hope that you also appreciated our achievement towards the welfare of devotees and for samaj. As the result you are also elected our team for the year 2006 – 2009. With help of your cooperation we also did the following achievement for the development of Sai Samaj and for the welfare of Devotees. After assuming charge of trustees we in the year 2009 decided to construct separate cottage for the Founder Pujya Sri H.H. Narasimhaswamiji since the earlier cottage was not sufficient to accommodate devotees and bhajan groups. Accordingly ground floor was constructed for Swamiji with Gopuram in the rear side of the main Sannadhi and in the First floor we also constructed meditation A/c Hall for the interest of sai devotees and said hall have on accommodation of 50 peoples for meditation. The second floor was constructed to carry for the administration the Sai Samaj. Moreover in the year 2009 our teams have constructed a modernized kitchen with latest equipment’s to prepare Annadhanam Prasadm to the Sai Devotees Likewise centralized air conditioner was installed in the Sanctum Santorum. The Dawarakamaye / Dhuni Hall were also renovated and like in Shird with refectory Bricks the portraits of Dwarakamaye of Saibaba was also modified into silver frame with gold coated. After the completion of the above mentioned development we are also celebrated Maha Kumbhabishekam of our Samaj provided annadhanam for more than 20000 and we performed kumbhabishekam ceremony continuously for three days. At the time of Kumbhabishekam a new Statue of founder Pujya Sri H.H. Narasimhaswamiji and Utsav moorthy of Shirdi Saibaba were installed in the newly constructed Swamiji Cottage. It was inaugurated in the Year 2010 15th July the Astabandhana Maha Kumbabhishekam was celebrated in the grand manner.

Dhuni Pooja: Baba during his stay at the dilapated mosque (which he named dwarakamayi) established a holy fire, and kept it burning continuously all the 24 hours. This he named it as Dhuni. The holy ash obtained from it is called udhi. He gave this udhi to all devotees who visited him for their protection (in tamill called Ratshai)). This udhi cured all incurable diseases. It provided spiritual benefits also. He distributed this to all his devotees as a protecting force and as one that cured both bodily and mental illnesses. Above thinks we are following in our mandir.

Our Samajam having understood its importance in the year 1958, brought from Shirdi, burning charcoals from the sacred fire of Dhuni at Dwarakamayi through Mr.V.S.Ramaswamy lyengar (A senior officer of Railways) and established it in our samaj also. For its continuous burning, Navathaniyam, Cow's Ghee, Cow dung cakes and fibrous covering of coconut are put into it at regular intervals daily.

From that day onwards this Dhuni is kept continuously burning on all the 24 hours of a day. Daily pooja is performed for Dhuni. Sai Devotees can participate in this pooja by advance reservation by remitting the money fixed for Dhuni Pooja. The Ratshai taken from it is given as Prasad to devotees.

Recital of Quran: Quran is recited at 05.00pm every day in our Samaj.

Annadhan (Offering Free Food): During his lifetime Baba did annadhanm (offering free food). He bought all grocery items necessary for preparing a feast from the money that he received as donation for him (Dakshinai in Tamil). He prepared the food and distributed it to one and all. We have come to understand from this acta o f Baba the importance that he gave for Annadhanam. He used to tell his devotees that removal of hunger is the prime duty of any person. So the annadhanam should be considered as a daily duty of anyone. To set an example he himself he did annadhan frequently. Baba used to tell his devotees that any charity done without annadhanam is similar to Bhajan without devotion, a married woman without tilak in her forehead, music without sweet melody, Butter milk without salt. A sky with full of shining stars but without moon.

We are following in our temple this guidance of Baba In tull measure. Our samaj specialty also is the annadhanam provided daily without break. The food for annadhanam is prepared in our temple kitchen under hygienic conditions using latest cooking methods and apparatus, utensils etc.

Sai Sudha is the monthly magazine started by Swamiji in the year 1941. It is being published regularly every month for the past 83 years. Due to the efforts of the present management, it is published in a big size, with colourful wrapper. Articles on Saibaba are published in Tamil, Telugu and English languages. News about the activities occurring in the temple every month also finds a place in the magazine.

Goshala (Cow protection center): This Goshala started by Swamiji, was closed due to unknown reasons for a few years. Due to the tireless efforts of the present management, the Goshala was restarted and got expanded also. It is maintained in a very good hygienic atmosphere. The milk obtained from Goshala is being used for the Neivethyam and Abishegam for Baba's idol. Every Friday early morning and Every Tuesday Evening Go Pooja is performed.

Medical Help: A Free Medical dispensary is being run in the premises of Samajam. Various medical disciplines (such as general, eye, skin, dental etc.) are managed by the concerned medical specialist. Not only those, quality medicines at par and equal to that of private hospitals are given to the patients. They are distributed free only. Once in a month General Medicine Camp, Blood Donation Camps are held. Eye care camps with the assistance of Dr. Agarwal hospital and A.G. Eye hospital are held twice in the month. Efforts are being made to open shortly Siddha medicine section also.