Chronology of the life of Shirdi Sai Baba
UNDATED
Sai
Baba was born in very early hours of September 27 or 28,year unknown
to a poor Hindu couple, Gangabhavadya and Devagiriamma. The newborn
infant is left in the woods, abandoned. The infant is immediately
discovered and adopted by a childless Muslim fakir and his wife.
1838
Sai
Baba lives with the Muslim couple for 4 years. Meanwhile the fakir
dies.. The wife is left to tend the child alone. Even as a small child
Baba stirs up sentiments between the Hindu and Muslim community by
worshiping Allah in Hindu temples, and Hindu gods in the mosque. In
fear of increased problems by a sole widow, Baba is handed over for
care with a local mendicant and story-teller, Venkusa.
1839-51
Sai
Baba spent 12 years with his Guru. The name of his Guru was Gopal Rao
Deshmukh (Venkusa, also known as Venkavadhuta) ) of Selu. Some say "
Baba practiced penance at the tomb of His Guru in the cellar under the
Neem Tree at Shirdi". Arrival of Devidas at Shirdi (Aged 10-11 years)
took place in 1846. When he enquired, BABA mentioned the name of his
GURU as Venkusa implying VISHNU (Parvardigar).
1851
Sai
Baba first appeared at Shirdi and stays in the village for two months.
He is noted to reside day and night under a Neem Tree (aged about 16
Years) which he claims is growing over the tomb of his old guru. After
two months Baba disappeared to an unknown place.
1855-1857
Sai
Baba travels about from place to place and finally ends up in
Dhoopkheda (or Dhoop) in Aurangabad District. There he ends up attending
the marriage of Chandu Patel's son in 1858.
1858
Sai
Baba returns to Shirdi along with the marriage-party of Chand Patil
and remained at Shirdi for ever till His Samadhi. A widowed Deputy
Collector and Settlement Officer by name H.V. Sathe (Hari Vinayaka
Sathe) comes to Shirdi on the death of his wife. Baba takes great
fondness to Sathe. Sathe was the first to set up apartments at Shirdi
for temporary visitors. Baba regarded Sathe as his right hand in regard
to all matters. Because Baba was keeping Sathe close to him and
relying on him for everything, the residents of Shirdi grew jealous
towards him.
1865
Saint Manik Prabhu of Homanabad
in Bidar District of Karnataka passed away in 1878, Chaitra Vadya 14.
H. H. Akkalkot Swami left His mortal coil at Akkalkot in Solapur
District of Maharashtra. (First appeared in 1835). It is reported that
three of them (Manik Prabhu, Swami Samartha and SAIBABA) met at
Humanabad.
1885
Saint Anandnath (aged 95 years) of
Yewala Math and a disciple of Akkalkot Swami visited Shirdi and seeing
Sai Baba exclaimed, "This is a precious real diamond."
1886, April 16
Mahasamadhi
of Shri Ramkrishna Paramahansa of Bengal 1886, Margashirsh 15 Sai Baba
got rid of an attack of asthma, by going into samadhi for 72 Hrs.
1887
Manthrapragada
Ramalaksmhi Devi, and my father, Venkata Narasimha Rao—who were
childless in spite of efforts—visited their Guru, Shirdi Sai Baba, in
1887 and prayed to him for a child. As the fruit of Shirdi Sai Baba's
grace, I was born to them on August 8, 1888. Shirdi Sai Baba himself
gave me my name, Shringeri Sharada Devi. As I am of fair complexion, he
used to lovingly call me Gori.
1889
Abdullah arrived at Shirdi from Nanded (in West Khandesh near Jalgaon and Amalner)
1892 (approx)
Nanasaheb
Chandorkar arrived at Shirdi for the first time after being invited by
BABA many a time showing his intimate relations with NANA since his
many previous births.
1894 (approx)
Das Ganu (Ganesh Dattatreya Sahasrabuddhe) accompanied Nanasaheb Chandorkar to Shirdi for the first time
1896
Celebration of 'Urus' ( fair) started at Shirdi owing to the efforts of Gopalrao Gund, a Circle Inspector of Kopargaon
1898
Sai
Baba was seen sleeping on a narrow plank suspended with old rags about
7 or 8 feet above ground with lighted lamps placed on the plank.
(Uknown
year) About this time, the parents of Shyam came to Shirdi with the
two-year old child named Mohan Shyam. A small school for children were
adjoining Baba's room. Shyam used to watch Baba at nights through the
ventilator. Baba used to sleep on an eighteen-inch wide plank suspended
suspended with old rags about 7 or 8 feet above ground with lighted
lamps placed on the plank. Shyam was apprehensive that Baba might fall
from his lofty but narrow perch during sleep. Shyam prayed to stay near
Baba and serve him for his remaining days.
1899-1900
Nanasaheb
Chandorkar visited Shirdi with his sister-in-law's husband, Shri
Biniwale. Baba scolded Nanasaheb for dissuading Biniwale, a devotee of
Shri Dattatmya from visiting Datta Temple on the bank of Godavari River
to avoid delay in reaching Shirdi.
1900-1902
Sai
Baba like a learned Pandit explained Geeta to Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who
believed that BABA was not well versed with Sanskrit language of
Pandits (learned people)..
1903
Das Ganu left Govt.
service and as per Baba's instructions settled at Nanded and started
performing keertans and writing life histories of recent saints
1903
Das Ganu's book 'Sant Kathamrit' was published. (Ch. 57 about Sai Baba's advice to Nanasaheb Chandorkar)
1904, April
Rao Bahadur H. V. Sathe first arrived at Shirdi. (Aged 49 years)
1904-1905
Nanasaheb
Chandorkar's pregnant daughter Mainatai at Jamner in Jalgaon District
had severe pains of delivery. Sai baba sent Udi and Arati with Ramgir
Gosavi from Shirdi and she had a safe delivery. Sai Baba even took the
form of tonga's Rajput driver to make Ramgir reach Jamner safe and on
time.
1906
Das Ganu's book 'Bhakta-Leelamrit' was published. (Chs.. 31, 32 and 33 about Sai Baba)
1906
Nanasaheb
Chandorkar was transferred as Mamlatdar from Nandurbar to Pandharpur.
On the way, he stopped at Shird! with his family and started requesting
Baba to accompany them to Pandharpur and stay there permanently with
them. The devotees then told Nanasaheb about the singing of bhajan just
finished in which Baba's mood of going to Pandharpur and staying there
for ever was expressed. The text of the song was,'I want to go and stay
at Pandharpur .'
1906
Shivamma Thayee's uncle meets Baba
for the first time, while Baba is visiting Vellakinaru in Coimbatore.
Baba told Shivamma's uncle, 'She is the only girl in the whole lot who
will be a highly elevated soul.' Baba then slowly chanted the Gayatri
Mantra to Shivamma.
1907
Radhakrishna Mai
(Sunderabai Kshirsagar) arrived at Shirdi.(Young good-looking widow
aged 25 years). She was blessed by BABA who used to send a part of food
collected as (Bhiksha) to her.
1908
Sathe Wada was constructed.
1908 Ekadashi
Kashirarn
Shimpi died. (Chaitra Shuddha 11). BABA saved his life in a mysterious
way when he was assaulted by Thieves in a jungle.
1908
Pundalikrao
of Nanded met Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati. (Tembe Swami) at
Rajahmundry on banks of Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh and Swami gave a
coconut to be presented to Sai Baba. BABA showed cognizance of
Swamiji's gilt and showed his oneness with Swami by describing him as
his brother (Bhau)
1908
Shri Tatyasaheb Noolkar,
(Aged 45 years) the Sub-judge of Pandharpur first arrived at Shirdi in
1908. Gurupournima festival was prompted by Baba for Dada Kelkar,
Tatyasaheb Noolkar, Madhavrao Deshpande and others.
1909
Saibaba
threw an ochre garment on Balasaheb Bhate, Mamlatdar of Kopargaon, and
an atheist, on his very first visit and Balasaheb lost complete
interest in worldly matters. He retired prematurely from service and
settled down at Shirdi permanently.
1909
Bapusaheb (Sakharam Hari) Jog on retirement from Govt. service came to stay at Shirdi permanently accompanied by his wife.
1909
Bhimaji
Patil of Narayangaon (Pune District) came to Shirdi for getting his
chronic tuberculosis at the last stage and was cured by Baba's
blessings.
1909, Nov 2
Hari Sitaram alias Kakasaheb
Dixit (Aged 45 years), a prominent solicitor and M.L.C. first arrived
at Shirdi. Baba used to call him affectionately Langda Kaka and
removed fear complex from his mind. Kaka Dixit was known for his
obedience to Baba's orders.
1909, Dec 10
Devotees began to offer regular worship to Baba in the Chavadi, where He slept on alternate days
1909, Dec 25
Baba gave darshan in the form of Sri Rama to a doctor, devotee of Sri Rama who came with a Mamlatdar.
1910
Baba's
'Handi' ritual, occasionally cooking food Himself in a big copper pot
and distributing it to devotees and poor people without
discrimination. This practice continued till this year. After wards
owing to Das Ganu's keertans (musical recitals praising Baba), Baba's
fame spread far and wide and devotees started flocking together in large
numbers offering large quantities of food as 'naivedya' and thus there
was no need of 'Handi.
1910
Ramachandra Atmaram alias Babasaheb Tarkhad from Bandra (Bombay) first visited Shirdi.
1910
Rao Bahadur Moreshwar W. Pradhan of Santacruz (Bombay) first visited Shirdi.
1910
Govind
Raghunath alias Annasaheb Dabholkar (Aged 51 years), the author of
Shri Sai Satcharita (Marathi), had his first darshan of Sai Baba and
received significant and prophetic title of 'Hemadpant. Baba gave him
his blessings and inspired him to write SAI SATCHARITA - a religious
scripture describing BABA's life story and his divine play (leela) as
monumental as GURU CHARITRA- the old monumental POTHI - a poetic
religious scripture inspiring worship to GURU, NARASINHA SARASWATI.
1910
Balkrishna
Vishwanath alias Balasaheb Deo (Dahanu Mamlatdar) first visited Shirdi
prompted by Nanasaheb Chandorkar. Deo used to describe him as Baba's
child - with a full sense of surrender.
1910,
Bhadrapad
Shuddha 5H. H. Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon (Buldhana District of
Maharashtra) left His mortal coil. (First appeared in 1878). At that
very time at Shirdi, Sai Baba grieved profusely and said, "Hallo! My
Gajanan is gone. I must take bath again in reverance to the Great Soul."
1910
Shrimant Gopalrao Mukund alias Bapu saheb Butty of Nagpur, (a rich statesman) started staying permanently at Shirdi.
1910
Harishchandra
Pitale's son suffering from epilepsy, was cured by Baba's mere glance
at him. Baba gave Pitale three rupees and reminded him of two rupees
earlier received by him from Swami Samarth of Akkalkot and thus showed
his oneness with all the other SAINTS (Vibhutis)
1910, Ashwin Vady13
Sai
Baba pushed his arm into the brightly burning Dhuni to save a
blacksmith's child. 'The arm was scorched and burnt. Nanasaheb came from
Bombay with Dr. Parmananda but Baba did not allow the doctor to treat
him.Bhagoji Shinde's service of massaging the arm with ghee and
bandaging it continued till Baba's Samadhi. This episode is in testimony
to BABA's cosmic existence- HIS super consciousness.
1910 Dec 5
Hon'ble
Mr. Ganesh Shrikrishna alias Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti
(Maharashtra) first visited Shirdi. (Refused on 10 Dec. 1910)
Mr.Babasaheb Khaprde was an ardent devotee of BABA and his efforts were
instrumental in bringing Loka Manya Tilak- (a great national leader
-Khapurde's contemparary) to Shirdi for Baba's darshan and blessings in
his movement for India's freedom from the British Rule
1910, Dec10
Foundation-stone of Dixit Wada laid with Baba's permission
1910, Christmas
Lala
Lakhamichand of Santacruz (Bombay) came to Shirdi. Baba loved him very
much and affectionately accepted his petty gifts given with love.
1910
Megha
returns to Shirdi and stays till his death. In Baba's company he
underwent mysterious experiences which transformed Megha from an athiest
to an ardent devotee of Baba and spent his life in the service of Sai
-Shiva. He regarded Baba as Shiva-Shankar (Lord Shiva-Shankar -the
welfare Doer).
1911
Madrasi Sanyasi Vijayanand,
while on a pilgrimage to Manas Sarovar, haulted at Shirdi and breathed
his last while reading 'Bhagawat' (a religious script written by Saint
Eknath) for 3 days on Baba's advice.
1911, March
Tatyasaheb
Nulkar (Aged 48), the Sub-judge of Pandharpur breathed, his last at
Shirdi. Baba showed HIS oneness with Tatya Nulkar and described him as
a pure soul and expressed HIS grief at Nulkars demise.
After
Tatyasaheb Nulkar passed away, Megha took over the regular daily
worship of Baba in the Dwarakamai. (He used to stand on one leg while
performing the Arati). Tatyasaheb Nulkar relinquished everything and
stayed at Shirdi in Baba's company till his demise Baba bestowed him
with the unique experiences in self realization. Baba advised him and
Mr Shyama Deshpande to perform Guru worship (Pooja).
1911
Ram-Navami Festival was started at Shirdi owing to the efforts of Shri Bhishma and Kaka Mahajani
1911, Ram-Navami
Construction of Dixit Wada was completed and was inhabited with due rites.
1911
Extension
and roofing of the open space in front of the Dwarakamai was carried
out by Kakasaheb Dixit. Baba got enraged and tried to shake and uproot a
pole. Then removing Tatya Patil's pugree, struck a match, set the
pugree on fire and threw it in a pit along with one rupee as if an
auspicious offering to avert evil. Baba never liked renovation of his
dwelling place viz. Dwarkamai (the masjid) and opposed any such effort
by the devotees.
1911
Somdav Swami alias Haridwar Swami visited Shirdi.
1911, June 27
Kashinath
Govind Upaswii (aged 41 years) first visited Shirdi and returned
again on 6 July. Baba ordered him to stay for 4 years in the Khandoba
Temple.
1911, Dec
Kashinath Upasani composed the
famous 'Shri Sainath Mahimna Stotra (hymn) in Sanskrit. (Now being
recited daily during Arati at Shirdi.)
1911, Dec
Bubonic
plague raged at Shirdi (Lasted upto March 15 next year) Baba however
saved lives of plague inflicted devotees by taking upon himself i.e..
on his body the malody.
1911, Dec
Baba's grinding
of wheat in the hand-mill. It was not wheat that was ground but plague
or cholera itself was ground to pieces and cast out of village. Seeing
this Annasaheb Dabholkar (Hemadpant) was inspired to write 'Shri Sai
Satcharita.'
1911, Dec5
Dadasaheb Khaparde of
Amraoti arrived at Shirdi again with family and stayed for 3 months.
Shri Krishna Bhishma the author of Arati book 'Sagunopasana'
accompanied him. Dadasaheb Khaparde wrote diary (daily record of his
stay at Shirdi in Baba's company).
1911, Dec 11
Waman Rao Patel (Aged 22 years) (Later Swami Sai Sharanananda) first arrived at Shirdi.
1911, Dec 13
Chandrabhan Shet Marwadi, uncle of Khushalchand of Rahata.. expired.
1911, Dec 16
Dr.
Capt. Hate first visited Shirdi (who had just appeared at LCPS
examination.) Baba sent him a messege in the dream saying, 'have you
forgotten me?'
1911, Dec 19
Sai Baba's great devotee
and a great saint of Nath-panth order, Shri Rama Maruti visited
Shirdi. (Stayed for 34 days.) '. Ram Maruti offered 'Naivedya' to Baba
and Baba very affectionately took a part of it (SWEET SANJA).
1911-12
Sagun
Meru Naik arrived at Shirdi at the age of 23 and on Baba's advice
settled permanently running a small restaurant for the devotees visiting
Shirdi.
1912, Jan
Dadasaheb Khaparde's youngest son Balwant was cured of bubonic plague by Baba by taking the disease on himself.
1912, Jan 3
Megha
fed some Brahmins on completion of his Gayatri Punascharana (a
religious ritual). Dadasaheb Khaparde attended it at Sathe Wada.
1912, Jan 19
Megha
died at Shirdi at about 4 A.M. Baba lamented loudly and followed the
funeral procession for some distance. Baba showered flowers on Megha's
body.
1912, Jan 20
Bapusaheb Jog started performing
Baba's Pooja and Arati after Megha's death.He continued this till
Baba's Samadhi and even some years afterwards until he shifted to
Sakuri and joined Upasani Maharaj there.
1912
Transformation
of Dwarakamai (the masjid) started. Pits were patched up and the stone
slabs fixed on the floor. Baba gave up sack-cloth seat and started
using cushion scat and boister in deference to devotees' wishes
1912 Jan
Ganapatrao, father of Tatya Kote Patil passed away. Tatya Patil stopped sleeping in the Dwarakamai with Baba.
1912, Feb 25
Madhavrao
Deshpande (Shama) left Shirdi to attend Kakasaheb Dixit's son's
thread-ceremony at Nagpur and Nanasaheb Chandorkar's son's wedding at
Gwalior. From there accompanied by Appa Kote, he went on a pilgrimage to
Mathura, Prayag, Ayodhya, Kashi and Gaya. At Gaya Madhavrao saw Baba's
picture at the priest's house and was reminded of Baba's words, "After
visiting Kashi and Prayag I would be reaching the religious place
ahead of Shama."
1912, Mar 15
Dadasaheb Khaparde returned to Amraoti. Mrs. Laxmibai Khaparde stayed behind.
1912, Ram-navami
Dada
Maharaj Satarkar, known as 'Modern Tukaram', was invited to perform
Ram-navami Kirtan.When he bowed down in obeisance, Baba said, "I know
this man since last 4 years". Bala Buva had never met Sai Baba before
but 4 years ago at Bombay, he had prostrated before Baba's picture. Thus
Baba proved to His devotees that seeing His picture was equivalent to
seeing Him in person.
1912, April
First visit of
Balaram Dhurandhar along with his brothers. Before they arrived Baba
had expressed, "Today many of my Durbar people are coming". Baba
offered Balaram Chillim to smoke and since then his 6 year old asthma
was cured for ever
1912, Shravan 15
Guru-sthan padukas were installed under the Neem Tree at Shirdi
1913.
First
visit of Mahadev Rao Sapatnekar of Akkalkot accompanied by his younger
brother Pandit Rao. When Mahadev Rao prostrated before Baba, Baba
shouted 'Chal hat' (Get away) in the protest of absence of faith in
Saptnekar's mind and his prejudice for Baba.
1913
Baba
gave at Dwarakamai darshan of himself as Vitthal and Rakhumai of
Pandharpur to the wife and mother of R. B. Purandare of Bandra.
1913, Ram-Navaimi
Bala
Buva Satarkar performed Ram-Navami Kirtan at Shirdi and Baba gave him a
gift of Rs.150/- for the Kirtan. These coins were collected in a dish
(Thali) after Baba's prayer (Aarti). Baba poured the whole dish in
Satarkars bag (zoli)
1913, May
Wamanrao Patel (Aged 24 - 25 Years.) (Swami Sai Sharanananda ji) visited Shirdi again and this time stayed for 11 months.
1913
Rao Bahadur Sathe got a son by Baba's Grace at the age of 57 years.
1914
Sapatnekar of Akkalkot arrived at Shirdi again with wife and returned being blessed for begetting a son.
1914, Feb 14
Mr.B.V.
Deo (Memlatdar of Dahanu in Thane Distict) was charged and reprimanded
by Baba for stealing His rag and after lot of abusing and scolding was
favoured with instruction to read Dnyaneshawari regularly every day as
per Deo's desire. This episode is an example of how Baba sometimes
displayed his transcendental powers to read devotees mental inclinations
even without formal oral communication.
1914, Feb 22
A
Sadhak of Yoga (Swami Ram Baba) visited Shirdi and seeing Baba eating
bread with onion got suspicious and disappointed. However Baba proved
His power of omniscience by reading his mind and the Sadhak returned
highly satisfied and blessed.
1914, April 2
Before
the year was over, Baba appeared to Deo in a dream and inquired if he
understood Dnyaneshwari properly. Deo said 'No' and added that without
Baba's Grace it will not be understood. Then Baba explained to Deo how
to read it slowly (and without making haste) with full concentration
for knowing the subtle meaning between the lines (Bodha -Knowledge)
1914, Ram-Navami
Das Ganu was ordained by Baba to perform Ram-Navami Kirtan at Shirdi every year.
1914, Shravan
H.
H. Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati (Aged 80 years) (Tembe Swami) left
His mundane body at Garudeshwar on the banks of River Nannada in
Gujarat.
1914. July 15
Kashinath Upasani left Shird! (total stay 3 years, 19 days) and proceeded towards Nagpur, Khadakpur etc.
1915, Dec
Sai
Baba suffered from asthma and was very weak. Yet He climbed over
Radhakrishna Mai's roof with a ladder. Paid Rs. 2/- to the person
bringing and placing the ladder. Honouring a worker for his work, Baba
showed how Dignity of labour should be maintained.
1915, Dec
Balakram Mankar passed away at Shirdi.
1915, Dec
Mrs
Tarkhad (wife of Babasaheb Tarkhad of Bandra) sent a pedha (made of
milk and sugar) which was already offered as naivedya and that too with
Balakram's son Govindji who was in mourning. Yet Baba swollowed it with
great eagerness and love
1915, Dec 30
Construction
work of Butty's Wada was in progress. Baba occasionally used to go at
this place to see the progress of this work and gave instructions.
1916
Sai Baba made Das Ganu to do 'Nam-saptah and Kirtan' at Shirdi for a week
1916
Radhakrishna
Mai (Aged 35 years) passed away. Baba used to bless her by sending a
portion of food collected by him by way of Bhiksha.
1916.
Arrival
of a Madrasi Bhajani Mela (Party of the Ramdasi Order). Baba gave
darshan to the chief's wife in the form of her beloved diety Shri Rama.
The chief also got a dream and his attitude towards Baba was completely
changed.
1916
Nephew of Dr. Mulky from Malegaon
(District Nasik), suffering from tubercular bone-abcess, was fully
cured by Sai Baba's Udi and his loving glance. The doctor himself
visited Shirdi afterwards and became a staunch devotee of Shri Sai Baba
realising that Baba's service is to be performed not only for the sake
of money or other mundane things but for the welfare of the disabled,
helpless and downtrodden.
1916
Annasaheb Dabholkar
(Hemadpant) retired from Govt. service. On Guru Poumima Day while at
Shirdi, Anna Chinchanikar pleaded before Baba for getting some other
appointment for Hemadpant as his pension was quite insufficient and his
family was growing. Baba assured him about his source of income for
livelyhood after retirement.
1916, Vijaya Dashami
When
in the evening Shirdi residents were returning from 'Simollanghan'
ceremony (crossing of the border or limits of the kingdom village), Baba
suddenly got into wild rage and taking off His head-dress, kafni and
langota (loin cloth) etc., tore them into pieces and threw them in the
burning Dhuni before Him. The fire in the Dhuni became brighter and Baba
stood there stark naked. Later when cooled down and dressed again Baba
said, "This is My Simollanghan" and thus hinted at His departure from
this world soon on Dassehra Day. This Darshan provided an enlightenment
that Baba's body cannot be described as Hindu or Muslim or of any cast
or belonging to any religion in vogue.
1916
Ramchandra
Dada Patil became seriously ill. One night. appearing before him, Baba
told him that he would recover soon but Tatya Patil will die on Vijaya
Dashami Day in 1918. Thus by substituting Tatya's name for HIS, Baba
foretold Tatya's passing away. However, Baba sacrificed his body to save
devotees life by saying 'instead of him another person will go?'.
1916
Baba
averted Gopal Narayan Ambadekar's effort of suicide by prompting him
to read an appropriate incident from Akkalkot Swami's Chaiitra
(religious scripture) and avoided greatest sin in his devotees life.
1917
Shyam, the faithful servant of Baba falls at Baba's feet and dies, merging in Baba.
1917
Baba
tells Shringeri Sharada Devi, "Gori, I will appear in Andhra [Pradesh]
with the same name of Sai Baba but in another Avathar . Then again,
you will come to me. I will keep you with me and give you joy."
1917
Baba names a young girl Shivamma Thayee and proclaims that she will be a saint.
1917
Haribhau
Karnik of Dahanu (District Thane) wished to offerd. one more rupee to
Baba while leaving Shirdi, but could not do so. On the way at Nasik, in
the Kala Rama Temple another saint Narasing Maharaj demanded one rupee
from him. Karnik gave it willingly thinking that Baba was demanding
the rupee he wanted to offer at Shirdi. Baba fulfilled in HIS many
mysterious ways devotees' desire to offer dakshina through all the
media.
1917
Sai Baba appeared at Thane (North of
Bombay) to inquire the well-being of Appasaheb Kulkarni's wife and
children when he was away on tour. When Appasaheb returned Baba not
only fulfilled his desire of offering Rs.10 as Dakshina but also
favoured him by returning nine rupees consecrated by His touch. These
nine rupees are the symbol of nine bhakti services done to HIM.
1917
Upasani Maharaj (Aged 47 years) made Sakuri (near Rahata) his permanent residence.
1918
Rao
Bahadur Moreshwar Pradhan purchased Lendi Baug and later presented it
to Shirdi Sansthan'. Baba himself planted some trees at the Lendi Baug
1918, April 1
At
Vile Parle (East) (now suburb of Bombay) on Hanuman Road, Narayan
Mahadev Thosar's residence (later known as Narayan Ashram) was built a
Hanuman Temple. On the day it was consecrated, Baba paid Rs. 25 to a
Brahmin named Waze and made him perform Shri Satya-narayan Pooja
1918
Prof.
G. G. Narke, son-in-law of Butty got a permanent job by Baba's Grace
as Professor in the Engineering College at Pune. Baba always remebered
him by saying 'where has he (Narke) gone? Baba gave him a begging bag
(zoli) for collecting food -an exercise in cultivating humility and
eliminating ego.
1918, August
Baba offered Hemadpant
a glass of butter-milk and said, "Drink it all, you won't get such
opportunity again suggesting that time for his Samadhi has arrived.
1918, Sep 9
Das Ganu wrote 'Shri Sai Stavan Manjaril at Maheshwar (Madhya Pradesh) on the banks of River Narmada.
1918, Sept 28
Nath Panthi saint Rama-Maruti of Kalyan passed away.
1918, Sept 28
Sai
Baba had a slight attack of fever which lasted for 3-4 days. Since
then Baba abstained from food and day by day His weakness increased.
1918, Oct 1
Baba asked a Brahmin devotee by the name Waze to read 'Raum- Vijay' (by Sridhar Swami) and listened to it for 14 days.
1918,Oct 8
A tiger met its death at the feet and presence of Sai Baba and was emancipated.
1918, Oct 15, Tuesday
On
Vijaya Dashmi, Sai Baba left his mortal coil at about 2-30 p.m. Few
minutes before He gave Rs. 9/- as prasad to Laxmi Shinde. These nine
coins represent nine dimensional devotion to GOD.
1918, Oct 16
WednesdayEarly
morning Baba appeared to Das Ganu at Pandharpur, in dream and said,
"The Dwaraka mai has collapsed and all the oilmen and grocers have
troubled Me a lot. So I am leaving the place. Go there quickly and cover
My body copiously with flowers".
1918, Oct 16
Wednesday
in the evening Baba's body was taken in procession through the Shirdi
village and then interred in Butty Wada with due formalities
1918, Oct 27
On
the 13th day Baba's devotees from all over gathered and funeral rites
were performed by Balasaheb Bhate with a feast (Bhandara) to Brahmins
and poor. Later Upasani accompanied by Bapusaheb Jog went to Prayag
(Allahabad) and performed all the remaining obsequies on the banks of
River Ganges
"Bow to Shri Sai and Peace Be to all"