Sai Baba’s dictat, “I draw a man like a sparrow tied to a thread” and only a person who is meant to be his devotee is pulled into the loving fold of Sai Samarth.
Despite being blessed to have Sai Nath in my life and
being devoted to him, I have never attempted to write about the mandir at Lodhi
Road which draws thousands of devotees. I have been there a number of times on
Thursdays to offer my prayers, flowers and ladoos. The crowd, the flower
sellers all fads away to become insignificant in the wake of the blissful form
of Sai Maharaj. The moment one enters the mandir, it is just Baba and his
blessings which matter. Each devotee has his or her own share of experiences. I
have mine too, where despite the long queue, I have got darshan impromptu. I
have gone on other days as well. . I have bowed before the Murti from outside,
each time I have crossed the Mandir and have got the same blissful experience.
This Mandir at Lodhi Road, is the first Sai Mandir to be built in North India. It was built by concerted efforts of a lot of individuals and probably because Baba willed it! Several fund raising charity shows were held
One takes the steps into the hall at the end of which is the blissful form of Sai Samarth is his characteristic posture. One takes a pradakshan of sorts. Pray, bow or touch the feet with your head, the pujari hands over a flower. Walk down. The dhuni burns, one does the pradakshanna. And before one realizes, one is out to collect the slippers. The mind still in a blissful state. The floral prashad a memory to take back to.
Location - It is located in Lodhi Road Institutional Area. It is near Andhra Association and Ram Mandir. It is parallel to Habitat Centre. It is one crossing before India Habitat Centre and India International Centre. It is easily accessible by Metro. Nearest Metro Station is Jungpura and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Rickshaws, autos ply in plenty. One just needs to ask to be directed to it.
Timings - Go any day. The Mandir is open from 5 am in the morning to 10.00 pm in the evening. Kakad Arati is at 5.30 am in the morning and Shej arati 9.30 pm. Thursdays are crowded and the main entrance is closed and entry is through the side gate. A very orderly queue system is followed. A lot of students appearing for various exams make their way to offer prayers to be successful in their attempts. The Murti is visible from outside, from the road.
Insider Tip – Opposite the mandir is the wholeseller’s shop who sells all items for worship. The Sai Satcharita book, murti, clothes for Baba, spiritual books, photograph and everything. They also help organize bhajan sandhyas and food for distribution.
Highlight – Peace and blessedness. Miracles you asked – Faith and Patience is the key – Shraddha and Saburi.
