Satsang Sai Ka Aangan -World's first replica of Dwarkamayee Masjid after Shirdi

Satsang Sai Ka Aangan -World's first replica of Dwarkamayee Masjid after Shirdi

Sai Ka Aangan
Delhi is the heart of India ,they say and reflects the state of the Nation. Indeed it does,

for the growing urbanization ,fast paced life and concrete jungle that has come to

represent the obvious repercussions of modernity is beginning to tell its own tale.So as

one winds the way from Delhi and onward towards Sushant Lok Gurgaon,broad roads lined with

matchbox shaped buildings under construction can be seen throughout.The hustle - bustle of

life ,the glittering shops that justify consumerism ,all stare back at the visitor.
As one drives further down towards the end of Sushant Lok ,one suddenly sees an old relic

on the horizon. A piece of architecture from the 18th /19th century , a slanting brick roof

and an expanse,that leaves one dazed.This is the replica of Dwarkamai from Shirdi.With the

inspiration of revered Guruji Shri C.B Satpathy and Mrs Meera Satpathy a dream of Ms Kumkum

Bhatia of the Sai Prakash Spiritual and Charitable Trust, that is slowly taking shape since

Oct 2000,when the Bhumi Poojan was conducted.
Several auspicious events have already been held at the temple even when it had no concrete

roof and one could see the stars at night .On 18th March 2002 on Maha Shivratri day,Guruji

Shri C.B Satpathyji and just a handful of devotees congregated at the temple premises in

the morning. The temple had a large "aangan" still not paved or constructed ,giving it an

aesthetic look coupled with sylvan surroundings. The temple was decorated with lamps and

flowers and the place wore a festive look.Guruji,conducted Puja of Shri Sainath. There

after Mrs Mangla Apte ,who had come all the way from New Jersey USA,rendered beautiful

Marathi bhajans on Shri Sainath.
In the impending dusk,surrounded by devotees who sang Bhajans,Guruji Shri Satpathyji

presided over the Holi festival on 28th March 2002, Smt Meera Satpathy also graced this

evening.
Ram Navmi, which has a very special significance with Sainath and Shirdi as it was on this

day that Hindus and Muslims decided to celebrate the Urs and the Navami procession

together.Hence , Guruji Shri C. B Satpathyji decided to have the inaugration of this temple

on 21st April,2002 the Ram Navmi day.
On this day, amidst Navagraha Pooja, chanting of " Shri Sainathaya Namaha" and devotional

songs, two beautiful Moorties of Sainath were consecrated. One of them is made of white

marble which sits high on the stone. The other life size Moorti of Baba , in sitting

posture in Dwarkamayee, made of fibre glass communicates to the devotees.

Since the consecration ceremony, 4 Aartis are being conducted every morning at 9 a.m, 12

noon, evening at 6:30 p.m, and 9 pm at night.The Palki is taken in a procession every

Thursday.
It is also proposed to construct a replica of the Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi, Chavadi, and

Hanuman temple. Undoubtely, Sai Ka Aagan will be an oasis for those seeking spiritual

solace and moments of peace amidst the hustle bustle of Delhi.



About The Temple
The temple has stone walls, old lamps from the times in Shirdi and artifacts just like one

is used to seeing in Dwarakamai- the favourite residence of Shri Shirdi Sainath. No effort

has been spared to identify every detail and replicate so that those who wish to visit

Shirdi as often as possible can at least still fulfil their heart's desire by being in

these environs for a few moments.
The horse Shyam Karna, the tiger who died at Sai Baba's feet, the Chulla where he cooked

food, and the Chakki with which he is said to have ground the ailments of His devotees are

all replicated.

The life size statue of Baba ,in sitting posture made of fibre glass takes one back to the

times when Sainath would sit among His followers and lovingly distribute Udi and food

cooked with His own hands. The statue embodies and emits an aura of resplendence to all the

devotees and countless others.
The sacred embers of Lord Sai's Dhuni at Shirdi were brought from the sanctum sanctorium at

Sai temple at Chhatarpur.


Inauguration of Dwarkamai in Sushant Lok
The formal innauguration of Dwarkamayee Masjid was done by revered Guruji C.B Satpathy ji

on Sunday 21st April ,2002 which was the RamNavami day.
After the formal Pooja at dusk, Deepavli Utsav was celebrated by lighting candles all along

a 40 X 30 feet bust sketch of Shirdi Sai Nath.At the same time star studded sky was strewn

with glittering and colourful "Atishbazi".
This was followed by a procession of a palanquin decorated with Zari and flowers on red

satin.The Palki was carried by the devotees on their shoulders under a beautiful deep red

velvet umbrella decorated with an intricate Zardosi work.This procession was taken out

through the temple precincts led by Guruji.The Palki proceeded along with the sounds of

Nadyaswaram,Mridung, Jhanj,Dhol and Shankh.The chanting of "OM SAI SHRI SAI JAI JAI SAI"

made the environment auspicious, heavenly and intoxicating.
As the Palki swayed towards the Gurustahn with the tune of melodious combination of musical

notes through the unpaved grounds of the temple there was an intermittent shower of

fragrant rose petals from the sky.
Gurusthan,the place where Guruji had planted the neem sapling was lit up with Diyas,incense

sticks.The atmosphere became nostalgic with the fragrance of marigold and Loban.The framed

picture of Shri Sainath placed in the Palki was welcomed with chandan, kumkum, garland and

coconut, by Guruji.
The ceremony ended with Shej Aarti followed by Satguru Ka Langar which included Baba's

favourite Kacharya and Pooran Poli.All the devotees carried along with them the memory of

this auspicious day.

Address
Sai ka Aangan
Next to E110,
Sushant Lok Phase-1,
Gurgaon
Phone : 91 8541378
Contact Person: Mr Jaspal Singh Chabra
Dusshera Celebrations
Dusshera, which happens to be the Mahasamadhi Day of Shirdi Sai Baba, was clebrated on

Tuesday the 15th October 2002, at Dwarka Mai Temple in Sai Ka Aangan at Sushant Lok

Gurgaon. This was the first Mahasamadhi Day celebration here in this Aangan as this temple

was inaugurated on 21st April 2002, the Ram Navami Day.
After many years three things coincided, Dusshera 15th October and Tuesday. This was the

exact combination of the day Baba took his Mahasamadhi in the year 1918.
The day started with Havans, Pujas and MahaAbhishek of Baba followed by Langar. Bhajan

Sandhya was organised in the evening. The Chief Patron Guruji Shri C.B.satpathy and his

wife Mrs. Mera Satpathy blessed the occasion.


An experience of a devotee from USA - Thakur Mukund Raj
It was on Saturday December 7th 2002 morning that we had a chance to visit “Sai ka Angan”,

Baba’s abode on the outskirts of Delhi. Baba seems to have taken on after the popular

Indian mantra, “Chalo Delhi”, Delhi being capital of India. Once someone steps inside the

door, then the difference between Shirdi and this place dissolves. The layout, the

structure, interior and everything up to the nails in walls is so carefully done that one

can’t say the difference between Baba’s abode in Shirdi and here. Not only that, HE himself

sits next to the railing in the form of a life sized replica of HIS form as though saying

to his visitors; “When this masjid was not built, then also I was present here but no one

recognized me; hence I have come with the masjid, so that my devotees can recognize this

place also as my abode!”
It is not mere coincidence that at that moment a family arrived here just returning from

their trip to Shirdi and the lady’s statement bears truth when she exclaimed “It seems that

we did not even leave and we are still in Shirdi!” Such is the magic of this place. Not to

be carried away just by emotions and people’s reactions we decided to put our faith to

test. The first thought that came to the mind was that no one speaks Marathi here, so this

place can’t be Shirdi! What a cheap thought one may say! But pat came back the reply from

the master sitting in his court. All of a sudden the speakers started blazing the glory of

Shirdi and the Master in Marathi. Where from and who played the tape is not of importance

so much that the tape played in Marathi and it was glorifying the Lord as was done by the

villagers each morning in Shirdi. It started looking and feeling like the stories and

characters were rising from the pages of Sai Satcharita to enact and replay the scenes that

took place almost a century ago!
Not still satisfied, the eyes and the mind wanted more! The body stood in the “Sabha

Mandap” or courtyard outside the famous three steps of the Masjid and prayed to Baba.

“Baba, if this is you then I can’t climb the steps with out your permission. So, hey lord,

till you give express permission, we can’t come up!” Not even a minute passed after this

mental prayer was offered then came the result from the master. Some one walked up and

said, “Please step into the masjid and do “phanka” (fan the master)”. With tears in eyes,

hair standing up on its edges and ego crushed, the command was instantly accepted and

obeyed.
Then as if to satisfy more, the Master continued to play his game. All of a sudden from no

where long lines of children, mothers and fathers, started queuing in front of the masjid.

Upon inquiry, it was informed that on this day, there was a comprehensive health camp being

organized by “Sukarya” a non governmental organization for the benefit of poor and needy

followed by “annadan” or feeding the poor. Baba’s Handi and Radha krihsna Mayi’s kitchen

started playing in the very front of our eyes. Many ladies donning the roles of Laxmi and

Radha Krishna Mayi relived the days of Baba’s Shirdi, some cutting vegetables, some serving

the food, some cooking but all of them very immersed in telling tales of Baba’s influence

in their lives!
Came the time for Arathis, one could clearly hear the conch of the shell loud and clear for

miles, inviting and informing one and all of the time for Arathi. The masjid roared with

live singing of “Ghevooni Pancharathi..”. And our feeble minds wanted to test Baba’s

strength merely on the language of Marathi! “Shame on us! O’ Lord of Lords, please forgive

this sinner! How many times have you told and explained to us and how many times we have

not listened we know not, by you know it all! Hey Baba, have mercy. At this moment, we do

not even feel worthy of your grace but out of your kindness, please do forgive us for we

are not even worthy of that!”. The mind presently came back as the arathi was ending. Then

came the time for “langar” or partaking of food. Men and women got busy in serving the food

that was being prepared since morning. Seeing there were big lines, we thought of waiting

on the side. Stepping on the dirt, all of sudden the eyes fell on a long line of ants

walking very briskly in a great hurry. Curiosity arisen, we started to follow the long line

of ants very busily going and coming from somewhere. The trail led straight to the back of

the masjid, where there was a small hole and through which were seen ants carrying on their

back, a pinch of food for a human, but as big as a cart load no doubt for the little ant in

a line. The same food that was being served on the other side of the wall! Reminds of food

served from Baba’s daily begging rounds? By this time, the heart was begging the Master to

stop proving his point!
The jet lag started to set in, the body was very tired from the long journey and the back

was hurting immensely. The body was screaming to rest and lie down but the crowds were

still looming. How can one leave without taking Baba’s prasad and his permission. After

all, He has already shown his presence! The mind started its game once again. “Why not ask

Baba to cure this hurt and avoid bearing the pain? He is here isn’t it, then why can’t he

provide relief for it?” Not even a moment passed after the thought arose that the eyes fell

on a sign declaring that place to be where Baba stood leaning and distributing Udhi. Having

read the sign, we quickly walked there and standing against the wall started rubbing our

backs to the wall. In less than few minutes, all the pain in the back vanished and the body

felt well rested with out any signs of tiredness at all!
Thus the day continued with sharing and listening to Baba’s leelas and stories from many.

While taking his leave, a though arose to pen this day down for whose benefit and for whom

we know not! We are sure though that through this he will reach his intended audience. The

Dwarkamayee of North India, “Sai Ka Angan”, is located in Sushant Lok, Gurgaon, Haryana on

the outskirts of Delhi.
If one is in Delhi for a visit, one should surely check out this place of Baba that brings

Shirdi and its experience away from Shirdi.