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MYLAPORE: Facelift for a landmark
LOCATED ON the busy Venkatesa Agraharam Street in Mylapore, is the Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, one of the oldest temples dedicated to Sai Baba in South India.
The temple was built by Narasimha Swamiji in 1941. A lawyer by profession, he was an ardent devotee of Shiridi Sai Baba. In the beginning, he worshipped a picture of Baba under a tamarind tree on the street where the temple is now located. Later, he moved the picture to a small house in Nanjunda Rao Colony in Mylapore. Swamiji constructed the present temple with help from his friend J.D. Pannalal, and performed the first consecration.
According to K. Thangaraj, secretary, All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore, which maintains and administers the temple, "This is the only temple where devotees are allowed to touch, garland and photograph the idol. We consider the picture worshipped by Narashima Swamiji, the moolasthana. We installed a marble statue of Baba 16 years ago."
"This temple is unique," says Suban Singh, treasurer. "On Thursdays a Muslim gentleman chants the Koran at about 4.30 p.m. and on Sundays we have a Bible reading, apart from bhajans on Thursdays".
"We have been doing some minor renovation work and are constructing an arch at the entrance of the temple," says Thangaraj. "We plan to perform the consecration next month."
The samadhi of Sri Narasimha Swamiji is located inside this temple. On Thursdays about 1,000 people take part in the annadhanam and on other days prasadham is offered to devotees. Offerings in the form of rice, dhal and sugar are accepted and there are three huge vessels for this purpose.
Many festivals are organised here, the most important one being the 10-day Navarathri celebration, which ends on Mahasamadhi day, which falls on Vijayadasami. As Baba wanted his devotees to celebrate his birthday on Sri Rama Navami day, various events are organised that day. Guru Poornima is also celebrated.
"We also celebrate the birth anniversary of Narasimha Swamiji every year on August 21 and this year it was his 130th anniversary", says Karunakaran, vice-president. "People from all over the country visit the temple for darshan," he adds. Located in the heart of the city, the temple attracts everyone who believes in Sai Baba's incarnation. Last year, the diamond jubilee celebrations were organised and many participated in the devotees' convention.
On Thursdays, the temple is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on other days it is open from 5 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The temple is located at 15, Venkatesa Agraharam Street, Mylapore, ph. 24940784.
A. CHITHRAA DEEPA
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