My Birthday Experience In Shirdi – Anonymous Sai Devotee

Again this is a post of experience in Shirdi. It was such a wonderful experience and proves that whatever is in devotee’s mind, Lord Sai Baba is always present to fulfill it.

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Anonymous Devotee from Australia says: OM SAIRAM to all devotees, Firstly I would like to thank and appreciate Hetal Ji for the service she is doing for BABA and can only say that this opportunity can only be given to blessed souls and may BABA bless you always. Hetal Ji, this is my first time that I am sharing this with other devotees. However I do read other devotees experiences on a daily basis and it just increases my SHRADHA and SABURI towards our SAINATH. Hetal Ji, please do not disclose my name and email ID.

I always used to believe in BABA, but I became a stronger and closer devotee of HIM from November last year after an incident that happened in my life. I guess it must be one of HIS ways to pull me towards HIM. I am 28 yrs of age and tend to visit SHIRDI at least once a year and have been doing this for the last 3 years and hope that BABA continues to call me every year in the future.

In February this year, I had purchased a vastra for BABA as an offering to BABA for my birthday. However I was advised that there are no guarantees that it will be worn by BABA as there are other devotees waiting for at least 6 months, but then I thought that whatever the case it is upto BABA and as from my point of view, I have at least offered it to BABA for my birthday. This experience that I am sharing is of the most recent visit to SHIRDI, which was on my birthday on the 14th May 2012 and had planned in such a way that I wanted to celebrate it with BABA as I know these opportunities do not come all the time. I started my journey from Mumbai on the 13th May with Neeta travels and reached SHIRDI around 9:30 pm. I quickly checked into the hotel, which was called Sai Palace (recommended hotel in Shirdi, as it is very reasonable, comfortable and very close to the Mandir). By the time we checked in and had a shower and got ready, it was around 10:30 pm and by that time it was too late to go for the Shej Aarti, therefore we just stayed in the hotel and had dinner. After taking our meals, I was not feeling right as I had not yet seen BABA and decided to visit Dwarakamai as I was aware that the courtyard is always open and had decided that I will not sleep until I have seen BABA. We then went to Dwarakamai and as soon as we entered I cannot explain that calmness that you feel in your heart and just feel that all your tensions have just disappeared. Sitting in Dwarakamai, it was now passed 12 midnight and was just sitting there looking at BABA’s photo and all of a sudden tears were rolling down and I did not even realise. I just kept on looking at HIM and just kept on thanking HIM to allow me to celebrate this day with HIM. There was another devotee, who asked me if I am ok and honestly I just did not have anything to tell him. It was now 2:30 am, when I decided to go to the Shani Gate as I had the VIP pass to attend the KAKAD Aarti next morning. I was really tired because of the long journey, but at the same very excited to see BABA as well. The gates for VIP pass holders opened at around 3:30 am and I was first in the line very excited and finally got entry into the Samadhi Mandir at 4 am. I quickly rushed in and as soon as I entered the Darshan hall, I could not believe how close in front I was to BABA. I have never been so close and just by looking at BABA'S murti tears from my eyes could not stop falling. I saw the whole ceremony for the KAKAD Aarti and had excellent Darshan of BABA. After the Aarti was over, as usual they were pushing all devotees so that they could give other devotees a chance. I quickly went on the corner and just stood there and was just praying. They were making BABA wear vastraa after the morning Aarti and as soon as they made BABA wear the vastra, I could not believe my eyes as it was the vastraa that I had offered BABA 3 months ago. My eyes just filled with water and I was absolutely surprised and was just frozen. I could not thank BABA anymore and knew that He had accepted my offering and has blessed me on my birthday. After coming out of the Samadhi Mandir, I had Darshan of the Neem tree and returned to the hotel and took rest for few hours. At 10:30 am, we then got ready and started to go to SAI DHAM which is in Kopergaon. We hired a rickshaw and it takes around 20 minutes to get there. We reached there around 11:15 am and had brilliant Darshan of BABA there also. I also had offfered a vastra to the murti in SAI DHAM and as soon as I gave to the Maharaj there, he immediately put it on BABA and made Him wear it as they were making BABA ready for the MADYAN Aarti. Again BABA accepted my offering straight away and was overfilled with joy and happiness. It was now 12 pm and stayed at SAI DHAM for the MADYAN Aarti and surprisingly the Maharaj came towards me and asked me to offer the Aarti to BABA. I was so happy and it was all BABA’s wish and felt so happy that I had the chance to give BABA personalized service to HIM. After the Aarti, we went to meet CHAVAN Baba and had his Darshan and blessings. As we were leaving to go back to SHIRDI, we were offered to have lunch there and I took as it was BABA’s Prasad offering to us and therefore could not refuse and had lunch there. The food was so delicious and I could not stop thanking them for their hospitality. After lunch we returned to Shirdi and were just strolling around the shops and purchased lovely photos and other gifts to take back with me to Australia. It was now 4 pm and I was really tired and decided to go to the hotel and get some rest and be ready for the DHOOP Aarti. However I did not wake up on time as there was a knock on the door at 7:30 pm. I opened the door and so that there was a delivery for me. As I saw what it was, there was a birthday cake for me which was organised by a friend in Delhi. I was so happy and first I was disappointeded that I could wake up on time for the DHOOP Aarti, but then again I took as it was BABA’s wish as He wanted me to take some rest and received the cake and offer to HIM. I quickly got ready and took the cake to Dwarakamai and saw that there is a long queue for Darshan and I then went to the guard and told him that today is my birthday and I wanted to offer this to BABA before I can share it as Prasad with others. He without saying anything opened the gate for me and I just walked through and placed the cake on BABA'S stone and offered and thanked Him for HIS blessings. I then came outside and offered the cake to everybody. It took me about 5 minutes and the whole cake had disappeared and tried my best to give to everybody, who came there to take it as Prasad. I was jumping with joy inside my heart and was just thanking BABA for HIS blessings. I had some dinner in a nearby restaurant and felt like doing the Shej Aarti in Dwarakamai as I believe that BABA spent all His life at the masjid therefore I feel more of His presence there. It was 10:30 pm and I was inside the courtyard of the masjid and had blissful Darshan and Aarti of BABA. Honestly, I could not have asked for better Darshan. I had to then return to the hotel and had to then pack to return to Mumbai and catch a flight to Australia straight away. Just by thinking about my experience, I still have tears in my eyes till today and one thing I have learnt, is that let the world change and turn upside down, but you should never lose your faith in BABA and keep hold of HIM very tight, and He will surely fulfill all your dreams in one way or the other. Sorry for the long written experience but I had promised BABA that I will share my experience and if anything I have missed out, please forgive me BABA. OM SAMARATH SHRI SADGURU SAINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI OM SAIRAM
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