Sai's first temple - part 2

Eventually, Baba presented Pradhan with a *Bas-relief image* of himself and instructed him: *"Take this and keep it in your home. Truly believe that this is me, and do not come to Shirdi hereafter."* Thinking Baba was merely joking, Pradhan returned to Shirdi once more. As soon as he stepped into Dwarakamai, Baba shouted, *"I am in your home. Do not come to Shirdi again. Go back to Bhivpuri. Erect a Mandir and install my Bas-relief image in it. Perform all the festivals there. Do not come back again, for that is your Shirdi. Now leave at once, and go home."* *The Divine Presence in Bhivpuri* Following these divine instructions, Pradhan stopped traveling to Shirdi and constructed the Sai Mandir next to his house. The temple is marked by miraculous occurrences. Once, at midnight, the family heard the temple doors open. They rushed to see who it was and were astonished to see Baba himself enter the temple and close the door behind him. At 3:00 AM, the doors opened again as Baba departed. During a later period of overwhelming personal crisis, Baba appeared to Pradhan in a vision (*Sakshatkar*), patting his back and reassuring him: *"Don’t be afraid, I am here to protect you."* Pradhan later built a *Tulsi Brindavan* at the exact spot where this vision occurred. To this day, the temple remains a deeply blessed site, standing as a testament to the bond between the saint and his devotee since 1916.

The History of the First Sai Baba Mandir

*The History of the First Sai Baba Mandir* Located in *Ukrool village* near Bhivpuri Road in the Raigad district, this temple holds the distinction of being the first Sai Baba Mandir in the world. Its origin dates back to 1916, established while Sai Baba was still physically present in Shirdi. The story begins with *Keshav Ramachandra Pradhan*. In 1916, a friend of Pradhan was preparing for a pilgrimage to Shirdi with his family and repeatedly urged Pradhan to join them. Initially, Pradhan refused. He eventually agreed, but only on the strict conditions that he would not bow before Baba nor drink his *Pada Teertha* (sacred water). Upon reaching Shirdi, they entered *Dwarakamai*. Pradhan, maintaining his distance, sat in a far corner away from the other devotees. As the crowd dispersed, Baba pointed toward him and said to the friend, *"Bring that irresponsible and contemptuous rascal here."* When Pradhan was brought before him, Baba addressed his skeptical behavior and his disdain for saints. Stunned by Baba’s omnipresence and insight, Pradhan’s contempt vanished instantly, and he became a devoted follower. *"I Am in Your Home"* As his prosperity grew through Baba’s grace, Pradhan began visiting Shirdi frequently. During these visits, he constantly pleaded with Baba to visit his home in Bhivpuri. Baba would simply reply, *"I will come."* To be continued...