While it is impossible to think about Shri Sainath Maharaj Trust and Shri Raghupathi Sir separately, under strict instructions from "Sir" not to write anything about him, I am compelled to write this article avoiding reference to him unless very obligatory.
Shri Sainath Maharaj Trust, alongwith its other arm viz. Om Shri Sadguru Sai Seva Trust, was set up with the assistance of some students of Dnyandeep Classes, Dombivli (of which Shri Raghupathi Sir was the principal) on 31st December 1996. Efforts to find out a suitable location started only thereafter. After covering about 6000 kms, Kherdi - a place 220 km from Mumbai and 6 km from Dapoli - was found to fulfill the vision that the Managing Trustee had.
The location abundantly bestowed by nature was also a place which was woefully short of medical facilities. Originally 3.5 acres of land was acquired with a view to have temples and hospital wards. Having done the preliminary work of levelling the mountanious area, planting trees, digging well, laying down electric cable etc. the actual construction work started in 1998. As per Guru Adnya (order), Padukas of Shri Sai Baba were ceremoniously brought from Shirdi to Dapoli by Padyatra (covering nearly 380 km on foot). The Trust has already set up temple of Dakshinamukhi Hanuman, Lord Ganesha, Vindhyavasini, Navgraha and Nagyugma is also in place. Saibaba temple is now complete. The Trust envisages setting up temples of Shri Dattatreya and Lord Shiva (idol of Shri Dattatreya, Shivlingam & Nandi have already arrived). There is a provision of Dhyanmandir (a place for meditation) beneath practically every temple.
It is important to note that setting up of temple is not an end in itself. It is a means of achieving greater aim as can be seen from the following objectives of Shri Sainath Maharaj Trust:
- Financial aid towards medical and engineering fields
- Construction of dispensary, health care center, hospital, providing medical facilities to poor and needy.
- Donation towards annadana (free meals)
- Donation towards maintenance and reconstruction of old temples, mutt.
- Construction of temple, ashram and meditation center.
- Sharing expenses of needy persons on auspicious occasions like marriage, thread ceremony etc.
This is not a place to recount the difficulties faced. It, however, needs to be mentioned that Shri Saibaba himself ensured that all difficulties could be surmounted. Time and again different people surfaced to ensure smooth sailing through turmoil waters.
In the end we seek blessings of almighty Shri Sainath and fall to his feet.
- Umakant Deshpande
Translation by Milas M. Karnik
Shri Sainath Maharaj Trust, alongwith its other arm viz. Om Shri Sadguru Sai Seva Trust, was set up with the assistance of some students of Dnyandeep Classes, Dombivli (of which Shri Raghupathi Sir was the principal) on 31st December 1996. Efforts to find out a suitable location started only thereafter. After covering about 6000 kms, Kherdi - a place 220 km from Mumbai and 6 km from Dapoli - was found to fulfill the vision that the Managing Trustee had.
The location abundantly bestowed by nature was also a place which was woefully short of medical facilities. Originally 3.5 acres of land was acquired with a view to have temples and hospital wards. Having done the preliminary work of levelling the mountanious area, planting trees, digging well, laying down electric cable etc. the actual construction work started in 1998. As per Guru Adnya (order), Padukas of Shri Sai Baba were ceremoniously brought from Shirdi to Dapoli by Padyatra (covering nearly 380 km on foot). The Trust has already set up temple of Dakshinamukhi Hanuman, Lord Ganesha, Vindhyavasini, Navgraha and Nagyugma is also in place. Saibaba temple is now complete. The Trust envisages setting up temples of Shri Dattatreya and Lord Shiva (idol of Shri Dattatreya, Shivlingam & Nandi have already arrived). There is a provision of Dhyanmandir (a place for meditation) beneath practically every temple.
It is important to note that setting up of temple is not an end in itself. It is a means of achieving greater aim as can be seen from the following objectives of Shri Sainath Maharaj Trust:
- Financial aid towards medical and engineering fields
- Construction of dispensary, health care center, hospital, providing medical facilities to poor and needy.
- Donation towards annadana (free meals)
- Donation towards maintenance and reconstruction of old temples, mutt.
- Construction of temple, ashram and meditation center.
- Sharing expenses of needy persons on auspicious occasions like marriage, thread ceremony etc.
This is not a place to recount the difficulties faced. It, however, needs to be mentioned that Shri Saibaba himself ensured that all difficulties could be surmounted. Time and again different people surfaced to ensure smooth sailing through turmoil waters.
In the end we seek blessings of almighty Shri Sainath and fall to his feet.
- Umakant Deshpande
Translation by Milas M. Karnik
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