Other Temples and Shrines
DAKSHIN MUKHI HANUMAN TEMPLE
BEFORE
NOW
The Hanuman (Maruti) mandir
There are several temples in Shirdi
connected with Sri Sai Baba. A notable characteristic of Baba was his respect
for all religions and forms of devotion. He did not approve of people changing
their religion and would insist on his devotees maintaining their traditional
worship even after coming to him. He saw to it that the run-down local temples
were repaired and sometimes used to frequent them. Khandoba Temple has been
discussed earlier; other temples are described below.
Hanuman
Mandir
Down the lane that runs between
Dwarkamai and the Chavadi is the Hanuman Mandir, one of the oldest temples in Shirdi.
Marked by a pair of trees enclosed by a circular railing, it is also known as
the Maruti Mandir. Unusually, the temple faces south and there are two Hanuman
images here, side by side. You may also notice a few weights and dumbbells in
the corner. Because Hanuman is considered strong and vigorous and is the patron
deity of wrestlers, young men find this an auspicious place in which to
exercise.
Baba seems to have had some
connection with this temple; sometimes he would stand in front of it and remain
there for a while, occasionally slowly moving his arm up and down. Once during
the procession to the Chavadi, when he came to the lane facing the mandir, he
was suddenly seized as if by a spirit (avesam) and some devotees had to hold
him until he reached the Chavadi, where the avesam left him. Shama asked him
about the incident: "Baba, this Maruti is our Swami. Why do you worship
and adore our Swami?" Baba replied, "Arre, Shama, in my childhood my
parents dedicated me to Maruti, and so I make signs at him to remind him I am
his brother."
The mandir was a place where sadhus
used to stay, including the ascetic Devidas, whom Baba would occasionally visit
during his earlier years in Shirdi. When Baba went to Rahata (a village about
five kilometres from Shirdi) with the fakir Javhar Ali in the early 1890s, his
devotees were deeply unhappy at his absence from them. After about eight weeks
they succeeded in persuading Javhar Ali to let Baba return to Shirdi, though he
insisted on coming too. A few days later, a debate was held in this mandir
between Javhar Ali and Devidas. The fakir was roundly defeated, causing him to
flee the area, after which Baba remained among his devotees in Shirdi until the
end of his days.
At night, especially on Thursdays,
the temple is sometimes filled with music when locals gather to sing bhajan.
