Shirdi Sai Temple

News & Events

April 13, 2008

Ram Navami Celebrations

Sri Rama Rameti Rame Rame Manorame;
Sahasranama tattulyam, Rama Nama Varanane

Words fail to describe the awe of those who attended one of the most reverted festivals of Hindu religion, Sri Ram Navami. The celebrations took place in Sri Shirdi Sai Sansthan; Montebello, LA created an atmosphere of “Bhakthi” and “Dharma” and reminded us the glory of Bhagvan Sri Ram.

The festival commenced with the usual Kakada Arathi, followed by Sri Rama Taraka MahaMantra H avan, Holy Bath of Sri Sai Baba, Alankar, Darshan & Archana. Sri Rama Raksh Stothram was chanted with great devotion. The temple reverberated with the melodious and harmonious Bhajans & Kirtans of Lord Sri Rama.The delicious Maha Prasad was offered to the devotees after the mid day Arathi of Sri Sai Baba.The main prasad included Vaddapapu (Sweet Jagerry Water), Majighar (Buttermilk) and Kosmabhi(Sweet Dessert).The Maha Prasad was sponsered by Mr.& Mrs. Anil Yarlagada from Corona and made by Jai Bharat Restaurant.

The Shirdi traditions are being strictly followed in the Sai Sansthan. The rituals like Kala Handi and Chandanostav remind us the same. During the festival the kids listened to the Rammayana. The sacred Sai Sacharitha was read during the festival and the Sri Rama Janmotsav – Jhoola Seva was performed with much fervor and devotion.During the Jhoola Seva and Palki Seva the devotees took Baba in the procession around the temple three times while chanting Om namo Sai, Jai Jai Sai Om. The day ended with Sri Ram Arathi, Shej Arathi and Maha Prasad.

Note worthy events include Hema and Dhansukh Bhai's effort to beautifully decorate Baba’s statue and its abode with lots of flowers and garlands, more than 300 devotees attending the celebration and the never ending devotion and hard work of the volunteers to make every festival a commendable and laudable event.

29th Jul 2007

Guru Purnima Celebrations

On the occasion of Guru Poornima, Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, LA organized various religious festivities on 29th July in keeping with the traditions at Shirdi. Guru Poornima is the most auspicious occasion as Sai Baba is in the form of Dakshinamurthy, the Universal Guru, who is believed to be Sudha Siva swarupam of Iswara.

The highlights of the occasion were:
The day started with the priest, Sri Kambhampati Srinivasa Murthy decorating Sadguru Sai Baba's madap beautifully and captivating to the eyes. The function started with Kakad Aarti followed by participation of a large number of devotees in Sri Satyanarayana vrat. The priest also performed Rudra Abhishekam to Sri Sai Baba's idols individually by a lot of devotees.

The whole day was filled with overwhelming devotion of Sai devotees pouring in to the temple though out the day. There were around 500 devotees during the noon who attended Madhyan Aarti followed by Mahaprasad. Kids brought in a lot of cheer and happiness to the calm and serene prayer hall.

In the after-noon, the devotees chanted Vishnu Sahasranama stotram followed by Sri Sai Sahasra namarchana by the priest. In the evening, Palquin procession was taken by more than 100 devotees around the temple with singing of Sai bhajans by devotees. The breeze around the temple resonated with the chanting of 'Om Sai, Sri Sai, Jai Jai Sai' in the twilight hours as Baba's procession moved forward with flowers being showered on and the saffron flags waving high up in the air.

The Guru Poornima day's celebrations culminated by Dhoop Aarti and soulful melodious Sai Bhajans by Dr. Arun Kumar. The devotional day has concluded with Shej Aarti followed by Mahaprasad.

As Baba wishes, a strong bond of communal harmony prevailed in and around the temple, where devotees and visitors were eager to meet and know the other Sai devotees and worked as volunteers in unison, helping to make the celebration a grand success. Food cooked by various devotees' homes was offered as Prasad to Baba and was partaken by all at the temple. More than 1000 devotees visited the temple during this auspicious day contributing a lot to the funds for development of the temple. They came from as far as Orange County, San Diego, Malibu etc. from farther places all around Los Angeles.

19th Mar 2007 - 26th Mar 2007

Ram Navami Celebrations

On the occasion of Ramnavami, Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, LA organized various religious festivities from March 19th through March 26th in keeping with the traditions at Shirdi.

The highlights of the occasion were:

• Participation by large number of devotees in the Sai Naam Jaap, Sai Satcharitra Parayan, Sai Ashtotra and Vishnu Sahasranama recitation from March 19th through March 26th
• Akhanada Satcharitra Parayan on March 21st.
• Sai Satyavrat Katha performed on Saturday March 24th.
• Palanquin ceremony for Shri Shirdi Saibaba and Ram Parivar on March 25th and March 26th.
• Cradle ceremony for Shri Shirdi Saibaba and Bhagwan Ram on March 26th.
• Soulful melodious bhajans by ardent Shirdi Saibaba devotees from March 24th - 26th.
• Gopakala Ceremony on March 26th.

The Ramnavami celebrations culminated with a grand Cultural program by the Kids on March 31st. More than 53 kids participated in the cultural program. The kids brought in a lot of cheer and happiness to the calm and serene prayer hall.

As Baba wishes, a strong bond of communal harmony prevailed in and around the temple, where devotees and visitors were eager to meet and know other Sai devotees and worked as volunteers in unison, helping to make the celebrations a grand success. Food cooked at various devotees' homes was offered as Prasad to Baba and was partaken by all at the temple. More than 100 devotees participated in the colorful Palanquin ceremony. The breeze around the temple resonated with the chanting of 'Om Sai Namo Namah, Sri Sai Namo Namah' and 'Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jai Jai Ram' in the twilight hours as Baba and Ram Parivar's procession moved forward with flowers being showered on them and the saffron flags waving high up in the air.

The Sansthan expresses heartfelt thanks to all the devotees who attended and took part in the Ramnavami religious and cultural activities. Your participation and hardwork added auspiciousness and made this festival a memorable celebration for Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, LA.