Devotees gather for 12th anniversary at Strathfield’s Shirdu Sai Temple Sai mere saiya

shree Shirdi Sai Sansthan Sydney marked a significant milestone last month. It celebrated the twelfth anniversary of its Murthy Sthapana (installation of deity) at the Shirdu Sai Temple at Strathfield. Hundreds of Sai followers congregated at the temple to offer prayers to Sai Baba on this special occasion.

As the deities sparkled in their finery, reflecting joy and hope, the temple itself bore a festive look, decorated with flowers and balloons. The fragrance of incense sticks and the notes of Sai bhajans brought in a spiritual feel.

The devotees gathered for madhyan aarti, and everyone present took turns to perform aarti Volunteers staged a drama entitled The Blessed Ones portraying sketches from Sai Baba’s life. The play was a platform to educate everyone about the eminent devotees of Sai Baba who are now called ‘The Blessed Ones’. Kids brought to life events from the lives of Sai’s devotees like Mahalsapati, Laxmi Bai, Bapu Sahib Buti, Das Ganu Maharaj, Chandra Bai Borkar, Jayker, Radhakrishna Ayi and others. For the ardent devotees it was a phenomenal experience as ‘The Blessed Ones’ from Sai Baba’s Shirdi darbar came alive in the Sai Mandir.

Also on this occasion Priyanka Bhanushali, budding singer, launched her first album Sai Mere Saiya. With much devotion, she presented it first at the altar of Sai Baba, seeking his blessings as she stepped into her singing career. Helmed by Bollywood music producer Aadesh Shrivastav, the project sees Priyanka sing alongside Kailash Kher, one of India’s contemporary greats.

Kher’s Sufi tone matches

Priyanka’s soulful voice beautifully, and the album looks set to be a winner.

Kailash Kher is full of compliments for young Priyanka. “She has a bright future; her great voice, with its good tone and texture, will take her far”.

Priyanka has already recorded many songs with leading Bollywood singers like Shaan. Music companies like T-Series are now showing keen interest in her talent.

Priyanka’s particular style of singing touched all devotees as she sang couplets from the album at the Strathfield event. Her humble prayers filled the room in awe as everyone joined in the background singing Sai Mere Saiya.

For the temple management, many good things came together at this milestone event, as it was time to look into the past and also step into the future at the same time. Not only were they celebrating twelve years of devotion, they were also marking a new beginning by commencing the construction of the new Sai Temple at Regents Park.

Speaking about the new temple, committee member Kishan Tolani said, “Around 3000 devotees visit the Sai temple in Strathfield every week. The new temple will have much bigger space and facilities whereby all devotees can benefit by various services like meditation, benevolent activities and facilities including community centre and hall hire”.

In a unique celebration, a cake was cut to mark the temple’s 12th birthday. The little ones particularly enjoyed this, and their noisemakers, poppers and party hats filled the air with cheery smiles.

komal Utsav Jagad