Andhra devotee gifts Rs 1.03-crore gold crown to Shirdi Sai Baba
A devotee from Andhra Pradesh offered a gold crown worth Rs 1.03 crore to the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple on the occasion of Guru Purnima
A devotee from Andhra Pradesh offered a gold crown worth Rs 1.03 crore to the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple on the occasion of Guru Purnima, one of the most significant festivals for followers of Sai Baba. The crown, made with 642 grams of gold, was presented as Guru Dakshina by Malladi Srinivasa Rao, a devotee from Nellore, during the opening day of the Guru Purnima celebrations at the temple. Read Full Story According to the Shri Sai Baba Temple Trust, the intricately crafted crown features depictions of the Dashavatara, the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu, making it a unique offering.
Speaking to India Today TV, Rao said the crown was inspired by his belief that Sai Baba embodies the Navgraha, or the nine celestial deities in Hindu tradition. "On the occasion of Guru Purnima, I am offering this Navgraha crown to Baba. It is valued at around Rs 1 crore. Sai Baba himself represents the Navgraha. I had the opportunity to serve and donate, so I offered it," he said. He added that Sai Baba represents multiple divine forms, including Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Dattatreya and Mother Shakti, and described the offering as an expression of gratitude and devotion.
Temple Trust CEO Goraksha Gadilkar thanked the devotee for the donation and said Guru Purnima is a special occasion when devotees offer Guru Dakshina to Sai Baba, whom they regard as their spiritual guide. He added that Rao has been a long-time devotee who visits Shirdi several times a year and has previously contributed generously to the temple trust's charitable and social initiatives, including donations for the Sai Baba hospital and facilities for devotees. The gold crown is among the most valuable offerings made to the temple during this year's Guru Purnima celebrations, which draw thousands of devotees from across the country to Shirdi every year.
Ends (Inputs by Nitin Mirane)
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