About Shirdi

Around 1854, a young man in a ragged robe came to Shirdi. He later left the town and returned around 1858 with a marriage party. After that return he did not leave Shirdi for the rest of his life. He was Sai Baba of Shirdi.

He lived in a dilapidated mosque, which he named Dwarkamai, and kept the dhuni, a fire that is still maintained. He read the Quran and the Bhagavad Gita. To this day, no one knows whether he was Hindu or Muslim.

His devotee Mhalsapati gave him the name Sai Baba. He gave udi from the dhuni, ash from that fire, for physical illness and for mental and spiritual uplift. He sometimes asked for money as dakshina, and gave away what he collected to the poor the same day. He asked for food from five homes and ate, with the birds and animals, whatever was offered.

He lived a poor man’s life. He said there is only one God, and that religions, with their different names and traditions, lead to the same goal. He gave a message of love, unity, and truth. To devotees, Sai Baba is more than a saint.