Deeply inspired by the great work, dedication and devotion of Dr. Chandra Bhanu Satpathyji, a Trust was formed on 26th June, 1998, named Sai Prakash Spiritual and Charitable Trust. Dr. Satpathyji is the Chief Patron of this Trust. The trustees are Shri Ankur Bhatia, Shri Gaurav Bhatia, Shri Vijay Bhatia, Shrimati Radha Bhatia. Ms.Kumkum Bhatia is the Managing Trustee. By the grace of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba, it was decided by the Trust to build a temple, which would be different from the conventional temples. The temple was visualized as ‘Sai Ka Angan’, where the devotees of Sai Baba would find peace and solace and would be seen as the ‘Shirdi of North India’. TheTemple is located at Gurgaon (near Delhi). The ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ was performed on 6th October, 2000, followed by planting of a Neem tree at the site. The area around the Neem tree is fondly called the ‘Gurusthan’ by the devotees visiting the temple. On 7th October, 2001, Dr. Satpathyji declared that the temple will be modelled after Shirdi’s Dwarka Mai, the abode of Shri Sai Nath till He took his Samadhi, for the numerous Sai devotees who have not got a chance to visit Shirdi. The Dwarka Mai temple replica was constructed, with a life size idol of Sai Baba in a sitting posture in front of the Dhuni. The Pran Pratishtha was performed on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navmi on 21st April, 2002. Spread over an area of 4000 square yards, there was ample space within the complex, to build more structures connected with Shri Sai Baba’s stay at Shirdi.
Hence, with Sai’s blessings, the next task was replicating the Chawri, where Baba used to sleep in Shirdi. The Puja to mark the construction of the Chawri was performed on 28th October, 2003 and Pran Pratishtha was held on 18th January, 2004. Subsequently, the Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Mandir, Shri Sai’s favourite place during his stay in Shirdi, was also replicated at Sai Ka Angan. The Puja for Hanuman Mandir was performed on 05th June, 2004 and Pran Pratishtha on 21st October, 2004.
Dr. Satpathyji’s vision was to develop ‘Sai Ka Angan’ as an institution in itself and not just a replica of Shirdi. Under his guidance, the Trust decided to build a Sabha Mandap which would host various religious and cultural activities. The Sabha Mandap was inaugurated on October 2nd, 2006. He has repeatedly stressed on the significance and the need for a thorough study of the Sai Satcharitra, the sacred book on the life of Sai Baba which was started during the lifetime of Sai Baba by his blessings. However, very few devotees have been able to grasp the real essence and messages of Sai Satcharitra. Therefore, to further this cause, it was decided by the Trust to start a weekly test on Sai Satcharitra. The written test is held every Thursday after Sai’s Palki across all age groups. It has been very successful and has encouraged the devotees to read the Sai Satcharitra in an in-depth manner.
The reading of Sai Satcharitra, inspired the devotees to celebrate Ram Navami on 27th March, 2007, following the same tradition as was first celebrated 97 years ago during Sai Baba’s time i.e. in the year 1911 at Shirdi. The celebrations included decorating the temple with colourful paper buntings, Dhwaj Samaroh, Chandan Utsav, placing of Shri Ram’s Palna near Shri Sai in the Dwarka Mai and singing of bhajans. The programme concluded with Gopal
Kala, a ritual owing its origins during Lord Krishna’s times and performed in Shirdi during Baba’s time.
The Trust has also kept in mind the interest of the little children who frequent the temple with their parents, as they are the future torch bearers of the Sai Movement. Towards this end, a club for children has been formed called ‘Bacchon Ke Sai’. With a view to imbibe the values of Sai Satcharitra in our little ones, fun-filled activities based on the life of Shri Sai Baba, are organized every Saturday between 5.30 pm and 7.00 pm. These include painting competition, story telling (on Shri Sai), and screening films on Baba, theatre and much more.
In the year 2003, it was decided that the ‘Basant Utsav’, an annual cultural programme, held at Sai Ka Aangan would be the main cultural feature associated with the temple. The Utsav attracts artists of national and international fame from all over the world to offer their art at the feet of Shri Sai. Since the last four years, famous artists like Shri Ajit Kadkade, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharajji, Padma Shri Shovana Narayan, Padma Bhushan Ustad Sabri Khan, Shri Manhar Udhas, Shrimati Nalini Kamalaniji, Shrimati Mangla Apteji etc. have already performed at Sai Ka Angan.
The first Puja and Archana of Baba at Shirdi was started in Chawri on 10th December, 1909. To commemorate this auspicious day, special prayer was held at Sai Ka Angan on 10th December, 2006. The devotees got the opportunity to relive those magical moments which had been relished by devotees at Shirdi 97 years ago. The Chawri was decorated with flowers, lights and a colourful Rangoli was made out side the Chawri on a mitti-gobar lep.
The temple is a divine blessing for the people in and around Gurgaon (near Delhi). The main functions celebrated annually here are the Mahasamadhi Diwas, Gurupurnima, Ram Navmi and Dattatreya Jayanti. Keeping with the tradition of the Shirdi Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi, the temple performs four Aartis’ daily- Kakad Aarti, Madhyan Aarti, Dhup Aarti and Shej Aarti.
Anna Dana is done on every Friday by sending food for over a hundred people in a Spastic Home close to The Temple. The Trust also runs a Charitable Homeopathic Dispensary having two qualified doctors to examine the patients and dispense free medicines.
Apart from the Pujaris and workers, there are a number of devotees who provide their helping hand in the smooth running of the temple and its associated activities.
Our special gratitude to Dr. C B Satpathyji, who is our Chief Patron, our guide, our Guruji, our inspiration and the main force behind Sai Ka Angan.
Gurusthan: On 6th October 2000, Guruji Dr. Satpathyji had planted a neem sapling at the Gurusthan site. With His inspiration this place has been very artistically designed with a natural feel-the rocky terrain surrounding the entrance to the caves, it takes you down to the Gurusthan where Baba’s Potrait is kept at an elevated platform and lit with Diyas & incense sticks. The serenity makes one feel very close to Baba. Guruji inaugurated the Gurusthan on 18th of October 2007. The chanting of ‘Om Sai Shri Sai Jai Jai Sai’ amidst that fathomless serenity makes the entire area echo with spritual vibrations-One needs to experience it!
