Faith is what brings me close to the pristine temple of Sai Baba at Lodhi road, Delhi.
Back in December 2006, I remember some of my colleagues (at that time I was working with Kotak) were talking about the miracles of Sai baba and the temple at Lodhi Road.
I was too fascinated by the words and thought to pay a visit someday.
The temple was en route to the office.
One day I just alighted from the bus and paid a visit to the temple.
Trust me as soon as I climbed the marbled stairway that leads to the shrine, I felt a different charm.
My heart was filled with happiness and my mind was free of all the tensions.
This one visit turned into a regular visits eventually.
I eagerly waited for Thursdays, when the premises of mandir is swelled up devotees.
The Temple sees a huge rush of devotees on all Thursdays with people standing in queues for hours to pay their offering to baba.
Now here the Thursday evening aartis need a special mention.
Aartis are performed five times in a day by well respected purohits daily but the Thursday aarti has its own charm.
Men, Women and children all converge to offer prayers and to behold for the spectacular aarti.
I enjoy every moment over there rite from the beautiful bhajans to the yummy prasad..
especially Halwa.
The beautiful dresses which baba wears is a major attraction.
My friend, Garima, and me, we both die to see what sai baba is wearing and match the color with our own dresses.
I know this is really crazy but its fun.
Every moment I spent in mandir will always be aide to memoir.
Everytime I feel low, I turn to him.
'Faith' is what always brings me close to him.
I have felt the touch of Baba's blessing by HIS unseen hands many a times.
The biggest grace that he has showered upon me until now is ' helping me survive in a city like Delhi'.
Trust me neither do my parents nor me have money to fund my education but somehow things were arranged by him and I completed my graduation and secured a decent job.
The best thing I guess which ever happened to me was on 5th of May, 2007, "My Birthday".
I still remember my parents were crying and apologizing that they could not gift me anything like they did on my previous birthdays and I was consoling them, cies la Vie, and trying hard to make them smile.
That day you wont believe but when I went to mandir, it was all decorated with flowers.
It seemed to me as though there was some special occasion or something but when I confirmed, I got to know that it wasn't even purnima that day.
Then I realized that Sai baba has arranged things for me and I loved it.
After days crying, my face was again full of smile.
Again he gave me a reason to smile and be happy.
I sat down and talked to him for a while as usual.
Well you must be wondering..
how can anyone communicate to god..
but don't be amazed I can sit talk to him for hours.
This wasn't enough..
as I moved out to the corner where prasad is distributed, I got to see that both 'Halwa' as well as ' Chole Puri' was being distributed.
Now after seeing the Yummy food, I was even more happy and full of life.
(Love you Sai Baba, Thanks for all this) This birthday will always will engrained in my mind as 'The Best Birthday'.
The above incidences are just one of the few to mention.
Everytime he helps me and drags me out of the mess.
The three short but most powerful words 'OM SAI RAM' are my strength.
Everyday begins and ends with them.
Thanks Sai Baba for bringing me into your fold.
Love You loads.
always be at my side like you always have been.
"There is one supreme eternal reality; the truth; imminent in all things; creator of all things; immanent in creation.
Without fear and without hatred; not subject to time; beyond birth and death; self-revealing.
Known by the Guru's grace.
"