Sai Leela-362 - My Unforgettable Meeting with Shirdi Wale Sai Baba

 

I am from UAE, who was a staunch believer of Baba 4 years ago. I not only lost my mother suddenly but also my faith. Here is how I got back my faith. Aug 31st Vimala aunty advised me and Alwyn to visit Shirdi, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The place Shirdi made me very emotional when I heard it. My suppressed emotions flared up like a huge wave, reminding me of my pain that was hidden in a corner of my heart for 4 years. I got busy in my world thereafter. There was news I heard which I was dreading all along and with a lot of reluctance I decided to leave for Shirdi.

I was very anxious as I was booking since a lot has changed in these 4. 5 years. I feared that Baba would punish me for all that I did and spoke against Him. People around me kept reassuring me but I knew I was not comfortable and feared His wrath. I was not sure if I would be welcomed to His world. I applied leave on Sunday. It was approved immediately. I started checking the air fares preferably directly to Shirdi. The whole of Sunday went by checking. Found the flight to Jaipur and then to Shirdi with minimal travel time. I left the booking undecided. Monday I started the exercise again. As I was booking, the flight fares kept moving upwards. As opposed to AED 3500 approx. the website was quoting AED 5000 ++. Left the page again as I thought it was way too expensive.

I started checking fares for the following week. The fares were no better. As flash the thought came to my mind, “May be He is testing me to see if I would prioritize money or Him" I just went ahead booking the tickets with a thought that it’s Him Who is making this trip happen He would give back twice or thrice back in return. My return was via Ahmedabad which I later realized and aborted the booking thinking it might not be the right sector. I revisited the site and found Ahmedabad return was the shortest. Without further thoughts I finished booking. I later came to the realization that Vimala Aunty had suggested us to go to Gujarat. Was this the reason? I left those thoughts for the time being.

What next? Which hotel is closest, how do I get priority darshan, how do I get Kakad arthi? Sreejith and his wife Divya helped me find a hotel which was closer and cleaner. I finished with that as well. Next comes darshan, Savitha tried to get in touch with the person who got the donation amount billed and realised. Ajay dialed the temple number and got me to talk. Why? I had no currency. I was not able to connect when dialled from calling card. Dialled from normal phone, line got connected immediately. God probably did not want me to find shortcuts to get to Him. Donation amount was INR 20000, had it been 25000 I would have got Kakad arthi free but God has His plans. He had planned my trip His way. Divya told me to go to PRO office and request them. They would oblige. I had tried to book online. The earliest available date for kakad arthi was 15 days later. Anxiety levels were shooting. Strange fear, guilt, worry, mixed feelings that can’t be described was running through my mind. Then was the day of travel, Wednesday night. It was the time to meet Him again and times were different. Lots had changed in these years. Thought what if He doesn’t want me there? Lot of reassurances were flowing around me still why the fear? He knows it all!

Flight from Dubai to Jaipur was at 3:40 am and the layover was just 2 hours. What do we do if gets delayed? No idea! Ajay had called the airlines to check if there were any delays the previous day. The answer was No. We landed in Jaipur at about 8.30 am. There were a lot of people ahead of us at immigration counter. Had we stood in line it would have delayed us. We informed the airport staff that we had a flight to Shirdi and that we need to clear the immigration soon as we had a flight at 10:10 am. We were immediately sent to the counter for foreign nationals where E-visa was issued, the airport staff told the officer at the counter to stamp our passports as we had an onward flight to Shirdi. The immigration officer cleared him first and then told me to pray for him while he was stamping my passport. We rushed to domestic airport and stood in a long queue. My worry increased as it would get a long time to clear the security. For a second I glanced the other side and realised that the queue we stood was that of Indigo and next to that was an empty lane for spice jet which was our carrier to Shirdi. Apparently there was no security check as we had no check-in baggage. We rushed through the security channel and stood at the domestic counter. We were informed that flight was 20 minutes early. I have always heard flights delayed but first time I had heard flights preponed. We had barely got the time to freshen up after an overnight flight. But we just needed to get to Shirdi in time. It was 9.30 am and there was no announcement of flight scheduled at 9.40 am. I told Alwyn to check with staff while I started making calls home. While Alwyn was still seeking the information, one of the officers came near my seat and called out “Shirdi passengers”? I raised my hand to seek his attention, he said “please come, flight is about to board" and took one of the suitcases (I had two of them in front of me) and guided me to the exit. Alwyn also got there and we took off to Shirdi.

With mixed emotions, fear, anxiety and tears in my eyes, we landed in Shirdi. Got out successfully, took a cab to the hotel. As we were trying to find the hotel, an unknown person whom we were getting directions to the hotel told us to come quickly as there was no rush and asked us to have the darshan quickly. I told him, that we hadn’t even freshened up after an overnight journey so we wanted to first reach the hotel. On our way to the hotel I called the person that Savitha had referred me to. He told me to get to the hotel and that he would call me. I was so anxious that I didn't even ask his name. It was Ram Dahale.

We checked into the hotel and with no delay we had a shower and went to a restaurant closer to the temple. Ram called me as we reached hotel for lunch. He met us and told us that he would arrange for darshan in the evening along with his friends. We agreed and had lunch. I had barely ordered a much longed for Coffee. As I sipped my coffee, Ram told me to reach Gate no.3 and that he would take us for Darshan. It was a Thursday how could I miss? We rushed from restaurant and got to gate 3 where Ram guided us to our first VIP darshan along with another couple. So the Big moment was about to be experienced. I got into the Samadhi Mandir and saw Baba’s idol and there was an emotional outburst. I just stood there dumbfounded with uncontrollable tears. One volunteer patted my back and said “Baba sabki sunte hain, tumhari bhi” (Baba listens to all and you too) and continued in Hindi “I don’t know why you are crying but your problems will be solved". She got me to stand by the window and see Baba for a few more minutes and requested the poojari to give a bunch of flowers to me. That was my first meeting with God.

After a night long journey we went back to our room hoping to get some rest before we decided to plan the rest of our days. As I was to rest, Ram called me and told me to get the Arthi ticket for evening which was at 6 pm. I made a few calls and rushed to PRO office for Arthi ticket. Alwyn had just about fallen asleep. I informed him and went to buy the ticket. I went to the ticketing office and requested them to also obliged to issue Kakad arthi ticket for Friday morning. They denied my request stating that it had to be online and that the tickets were sold out. My heart almost sank and I then requested them stating that I visited Shirdi only for 2 days from Dubai. I showed them the ticket. They asked me to approach them after 7pm. I was just hoping and praying that I get kakad arthi. As I bought 6 pm arthi ticket I called Alwyn and Ram to inform them to be prepared for arthi in next 10 minutes. We managed our second darshan on Thursday. Soon after the arthi I rushed again to gate no.1 to PRO office for Kakad Arthi for next day @ 4.30 am. They at first rejected however obliged later and issued a ticket. Feeling happy and contented with the warmest welcome that we got from Baba Who had planned our trip, we opted to go for dinner and also needed to catch up with sleep. Thought of an early dinner so we could get a few hours’ sleep as we had to be in temple at 2.30am for arthi. During dinner Ram called again and asked if we were ready for 10.30 pm arthi. Without thinking I said, “Yes”. Sleep? I have the entire life to sleep. Baba is wishing that I have another darshan before we call it a day then why not? Yes I know this would mean hardly any sleep that night too but then was super excited. Went and witnessed our final visit which was Shej arthi. Put Baba to sleep and got to our room for some sleep.

I kept an alarm for 1.45 am which was 1.25 mins to go. Alarm rang, quickly had shower, got ready and was excited for day 2 of Baba’s planned trip. It was 2.30 am and we got into the queue. We finished the arthi by 5.00 am and got back to the room very contended. Caught with some sleep. At about 11.30 we got ready and decided to eat in Shirdi Prasadalay. After a good satisfying yet a simple meal we headed to explore the place a bit. Saw wax museum, Dhwarakamai, Chavadi, Nandadeep, Shani temple, Datta Guru, Ganesha, Eashwara temple, a short view of Lendi Baag and reached our room. Lying in room I thought to myself that it’s a crime to sleep in room while we could have a few more darshan. Ram called me, told me sit in Dhwarakamai and do evening arthi as Baba spent most of His time there. I decided to rush to Dhwarakamai. I called Ram and so I could keep my phone and slippers closer to the place. Kept in donation room and went. Sitting by Dhwarakamai was a great experience. I read the arthi fully from the book I purchased. Then returned to room with a sense of relief and happiness.

We decided to walk by the temple area. Meanwhile had dinner, thought it would be good to have a darshan. Immediately after dinner we went near gate no.1 bought a ticket for Darshan and had a quick 10 minutes darshan and got back to room. It was Saturday and we had to get back to our world. I got thought of having another darshan before leaving. Went to ticket office and bought a ticket. As we entered there was a long, long queue to get to Baba’s Samadhi. I immediately thought what happens if it takes an hour for Darshan? Which means no breakfast, immediate checkout and rush to the airport as our flight was scheduled at 10 am. I barely thought of it and there was another queue which was formed and the temple police called me to form a new queue. We jumped about 1000 people and got near God. If you follow the left queue you would need to exit out but if you follow the right queue you get to stand in front of Baba’s murthi for about 10 seconds. We were on the left lane. I was just wishing I get to switch to right row and then there was a gap in the queue and I jumped to right side and pulled Alwyn too. I wished to do my last Namaskara for the trip in front of God. I told Alwyn also to do the same. I got to see Baba’s full murthi for the last time. Bowed to Him with loads of good wishes and contentment. Came out of the temple and as we were exiting one lady offered us Satyanarayana prasada, what better way to end our trip? My happiness had no limits as this was icing on the cake. I had the prasada and we finally checked out of hotel. The flight to Ahmedabad was delayed by an hour but I was fine with it as all my anxiety was offloaded in Shirdi. Getting back to Dubai with loads of fulfilment, best wishes to each and everyone. Now looking forward to a new journey. Baba made sure I regain my belief in Him after a setback. He planned my trip to near perfection. Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!


Shirdi Sai Devotee Sunitha from UAE says

 
Source: As Narrated by a devotee Sunitha from UAE . shirdisaiexperience.com

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