BY RAVI R. PONANGI

The weeklong festivities of the Sri Shirdi Saibaba vigraha pratishtapana Kumbhabhishekam began on March 9th . The newly constructed temple will be thrown open to the public on Sunday, March 15, 2009. The vigraha pratishtapana Kumbhabhishekam began on Monday with Anugna, Abhishekam, Sai Sahasranamarchana and Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam. Different rituals like abhishekam, homa, dhanyadhivasam, jaladhivasam, pushpadhivasam, kalasa stapana, sikhara yantra stapana, Sri Shirdi Sainatha yantra stapana will be held on all days prior to the kumbhabhishekam on the 15th. The day’s program on 15th will commence early in the morning at 5AM and kumbhabhishekam will be held on the auspicious muhurta at 9.49AM. 

Madhavi Gandavarapu, president of North America Shirdi Sai temple of Atlanta told this reporter: “We are planning the consecration ceremony from March 9th to 15th. For vigraha pratishtapana we have sevendays puja and main function will be held on 14th and 15th. Spiritual discourses on Shirdi Saibaba, Bhagavad Gita, bhajans and cultural programs are also planned, besides religious rituals during the weeklong festivities”. She also informed that they have different levels of sponsorship for opening of the temple. Once the temple begins operating, food will be served in the kitchen down stairs. The temple will also have a library. There will have ample space for people to enjoy either in the old prayer hall or in the new temple. There will be social activities also. Temple would like to work with Atlanta food bank and others.” We are planning to form groups to help home- less by visiting shelters. Presently the temple is having 110 trustees managed by a board of trustees and executive committee.” She added.

Since its formation in April, 2001, North American Shirdi Sai temple of Atlanta and devotees of Shirdi Saibaba have been nurturing a dream of building a temple for Shirdi Saibaba to continue with their devotion to Saibaba as they are thousands of miles away from Shirdi.

The generosity of many philanthropists and dedicated hard work of many volunteers helped NASSTA realize its dream of building a temple of about 15,000 Square foot facility at a cost of $4 million in Suwanee, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.

Preparations are in full swing to inaugurate the temple and to celebrate shirdi Saibaba vigraha pratishtapana kumbhabhishekam during March 9-15. Many Sai devotees are excited about the opening of a new temple dedicated to shirdi Saibaba and are eager to have an opportunity of their life time to witness shirdi Sai vigraha pratishtapana kumbhabhishekam of the new temple.

NAASSTA bought about 14 acres of land in Suwanee to build a temple aimed at spreading the message of Shirdi Saibaba. Since 2002, NAASTA is operating its activities from a renovated structure that converted into a temporary prayer hall. The temple community made remarkable progress with ever growing devotees. The temple serves hundreds of devotees spending countless hours of services. Saibaba devotees believe in the unity of religions, peace and non violence.