The Shirdi-based Shri Sai Sansthan (SSS), which planned to exhibit the padukas at the famous Albert Hall in London in September, has cancelled the tour following protests by devotees.
Over 10,000 Sai Baba devotees in the UK will be deprived of a glimpse of the saint’s padukas (footwear).
The Shirdi-based Shri Sai Sansthan (SSS), which planned to exhibit the padukas at the famous Albert Hall in London in September, has cancelled the tour following protests by devotees.
But for the dropped plan, it would have been the first time that the padukas would have travelled out of the country.
The SSS had agreed to exhibit the padukas and organise a recital of Sai bhajans in the UK from September 19-21 following an invitation from a UK-based NRI. Britain boasts of a huge Sai Baba shrine.
“We decided to cancel the tour following protests by devotees and the people of Shirdi. We only wanted to spread the word about Baba through this (UK) tour. All expenses were to be borne by the organiser except for those of the three priests who were to accompany the padukas,” Jayant Sasane, SSS chairperson, told DNA, adding, “but we have to respect the sentiments of the people.”
The tour, however, may not be completely called off. “Plans for the bhajan ceremony are still on,” said Sasane. The bhajans will be sung by Suresh Wadkar, Manhar Udhas and Padmaja Phenani.
Devotees feel there is no need to ‘market’ Sai Baba by organising tours abroad.
“If people want Sai Baba’s blessings, they must come to Shirdi. Baba’s padukas can’t go to them. We are totally against the Sansthan’s decision. We will not allow it to exhibit Sai padukas abroad,” said an angry devotee.
The SSS has two pairs of Sai Baba’s padukas, which are kept in the shrine at Shirdi. A pair has already been exhibited in Lucknow, Panaji, Raipur and Allahabad.
The SSS is the second-richest shrine in India. More than 1 lakh devotees visit the shrine on any given day. The number goes up to 5 lakh on weekends and crosses 8 lakh during festivals.
Though most devotees are from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, the shrine attracts people from across the country and even abroad.
The Shirdi-based SSS is also one of the richest trusts in Maharashtra with its annual revenue exceeding Rs200 crore. The trust has invested huge amounts in property and government bonds apart from donating money for social causes and relief efforts.
The SSS had courted controversy four years ago too when it decided to install a 323-kg throne worth Rs22 crore for Sai Baba. The trustees dropped that plan too after protests by devotees.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}