On my visit to Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh)

         

Star-shaped Sai baba mandir

                                            

Lord Dattatreya's  shrine

        

Shrine for Nava Avadhutha idols

   

View of the Tungabahdra River from Sai baba mandir

                   

Sri Bala Sai Baba Mandir facade

Sri Bala Sai Baba life-size marble statue

                                         

Sri Bala Sai Samadhi

Statue of Lakshmi Ganapati 

This temple is considered as the oldest Sai Baba Temple in the world. In Shirdi the marble idol of Sai Baba was installed by Shirdi Sai Sansthan on 7^th October, 1954. Till then only a painting done by Shyam Rao Jayakar was seen in the Samadhi Mandir. In Kurnool the pristine marble statue of Sai Baba was installed on 10th November (Vijaya Dashami Day) in 1951.  The foundation stone for this temple was laid by K. Veera Swamy Naidu in 1947.This star-shaped temple was built beside the banks of Tungabhadra River in an area of one and a half acres.  Tall trees and a beautiful garden give a sense of serenity to the surroundings. In the central hall one can see the sculptures which depict the life history of Sai Baba life and his divine miracles. There are many pillars with carvings which add beauty to this temple. There are separate shrines for Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Hanuman. There is a spacious hall to conduct meetings and meditation. In the temple premises there is a shrine for Lord Dattatreya. There is a neem tree coupled with Aswatha Tree which is deemed to be very sacred. There is a unique shrine with nine Avadhuta statues.  Just like in Shirdi, there is also Sai Dhuni (Sacred fire place) where devotees do pradakshinam. On the temple tower one can see many statues of various gods and goddesses with a Poorna Kumbha with a saffron flag on the top. The tomb of Sri Veera Swamy Naidu is also seen in the temple premises. We heard the loud singing of devotional songs. The volume of the sound was too loud. It would be better to reduce the volume so that devotees can pray with more attention. In this temple four aartis are done every day.  Special celebrations and poojas are done on festival days like Guru Poornima, Dasara Navarathri, and Datta Poornima. Annadanam or ditributiomn of food to devotees is done.  The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. This temple is located in Chthambarao street, Kotha Pet.

 Just before entering the way to the Sai baba temple, one can see Bala Sai Baba temple. In this temple also there are many beautiful statues of various gods near the entrance. In the central hall there is the life-like statue of Bala Sai Baba seated on a throne. Just before that shrine there is samadhi of Sri Bala Sai baba (1960-2018) and sacred padukas or sandals. There are many rooms on the upper floors to provide accommodation to devotees coming over here. The temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. in the morning, and from 7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. in the evening.

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    13th December, 2022                       Somaseshu Gutala