Friday, February 18, 2022 • Vol. 41, No. 7 February 18, 2022
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On Her 3rd Anniversary, Maaji Still Showers Us with Blessings H
Maaji .... Gone 3 Years Laxmiben Thakkar – who would become better known as Maaji in later years devoted herself to her spiritual guru Shridi Sai Baba and built the Jalaram Saibaba Temple on Hillcroft just north of Harwin Drive, in a lease space behind Keemat Grocers. At left, a picture of her as a toddler in her birthplace, Bhuj, Kutch and at right, as a young woman when she moved to Houston to be with her family. Below, a picture of the early days of the Jalaram Sai Baba Temple when it first opened in the early 90’s. Hundreds of devotees would attend daily services. The temple held a special service on Feb. 13 in memory of Maaji and Papaji.
Maaji as a toddler in her birthplace, Bhuj, Kutch
BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA
OUSTON: If you were in Little India on any day or night and wanted to get some blessings, all you had to do was visit the temple on Hillcroft behind the first row of shops, almost behind Keemat Grocers. It is small and cozy and until 3 years ago, sitting by the entrance on a padded chair was Maaji (Respected Mother) who greeted you with a wide toothless smile on her pretty round face with the large round tilak on her forehead and a disarming “Ajao beta, kaise ho?” (Come in child, how are you?) It would be fair to say that the Jalaram Sai Baba Temple was synonymous with Maaji as she was the one who founded the Little Temple on Hillcroft (as many knew it) in the early 90’s in a 100sf rented space, to impart the blessings of Shridi Sai Baba. Her husband Bechardas Thakkar (known as Papaji) who owned East West Video (later East West International) at the corner of Hillcroft and Harwin Drive would drop her off at the temple at 9:30 every morning. “And Maaji would stay there until he picked her up at 7:30 in the evening,” recalled her daughter Jyoti Thakkar, “seven days a week.” Maaji was also the founder of the Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir in Sugar Land where she served as the Lifetime Chairwoman of the Board. She donated the downpayment to acquire 7.5 acres of land in Sugar Land where the SSJM has been built on West Bellfort and Highway 6.
She worked tirelessly to propagate Sai teachings in the community and lived by the example. She continued to support activities at both the temples and ensured that they thrived and enrichened the devotees with the teachings of Saibaba and Jalaram Bapa. Her great vision was to build a vridh ashram – old age home - for the unfortunate and seniors, enabling them to lead a spiritual life. Maaji was 85 years-old when she passed away on February 14, 2019 – her real name was Laxmiben Thakkar - and had struggled for many years from blood pressure, diabetes, blockages in her legs, frozen hand syndrome, back pains, knee replacement surgery, three heart attacks, quadruple heart bypass surgery, loss of teeth and had lost most of her hearing. Inspite of her disabilities and not knowing English, she continued to work on her vision. Still, Maaji’s deep devotion brought her each day to the temple, even in a wheelchair, and she would delight in the almost 300 to 400 people - “her children” - who came daily. Born on October 6, 1933 in Bhuj, Kutch she was raised in Ghatkoper, a suburb of Bombay, where all of her five children – two girls and three boys – were born. When their sons moved to the US, the parents came to be with them in the early 80’s. Jyoti lived with them and took care of their needs (Papaji died a few weeks ago) despite her won health problems including two heart attacks. Maaji is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Maaji’s husband Bechardas Thakkar was born on Jyly 1, 1932 in Anjar, Kutch, India and spent his childhood and early life in Mumbai. He came to the US in the a early 80’s and started a 220-volt appliances and electronics business followed by additional businesses. He lived a down to earth, very simple and honest life. He was a man with integrity, vision, character and with a strong devotion to his family He had gone to California to visit his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. However due to medical problems, he had to be hospitalized and subsequently, he passed away on January 19 this year at the age of 89.
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