On 31st Dec 2011, Sai Baba's Samadhi Temple, Shirdi was kept open for devotees the whole Night so that all of them who had reached Shirdi for New-years Eve, could have Baba's Darshan. As a result there was no Shej Aarti on 31st Dec 2011 nor was there Baba's Kakad Aarti on 01st Jan 2012. Sai Bhajans were sung live, through out the night by various singers.
And as the Clock Struck Midnight, Bells were Rung continuously while all devotees voiced out "Shri Sachchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!"
Laddu Prasad was sold through out the 31st night for which an extra 2 quintals of Laddu's were specially made and no VIP Darshan Passes were issued on 25th & 31st Dec 2011, 01st & 02nd Jan 2012.
As there was a huge rush of devotees, the Shirdi Sansthan had made arrangements for their stay. Awnings, Beds and Tents were put up in approx 61,000 sr.ft area in the open area of the 'Sainagar' Field, the parking lots of the new 'Bhakt Niwas' & the 'Sai Prasad Bhakt Niwas'.
Apart from these, lodging arrangements were also made for the devotees, in the rooms of the Sansthan's Educational Complex Buildings. In the additional Lodging, next to the new 'Bhakt Niwas' arrangements were made for Prasad Meals for the convenience of the devotees.
On 1st Jan2012 alone a record 4 lakh devotees visited Shirdi for Baba's Darshan and to clear such extra rush of passengers, the Central Railway (CR) ran a "Shraddha Special" between Mumbai and Sainagar Shirdi, on the intervening night of 31st Dec 2011 - 01st Jan 2012.
From 23rd Dec 2011 to 01st Jan 2012, a record donation worth Rs 14 crore 60 lakhs was made at the Shrine. The donations included Rs.11 crore Cash, 1.25 kg Gold and 13.5 kg Silver.
According to the annual report of the Shirdi temple for the year 2010-11, the temple has come to amass a huge fortune with its investment in fixed deposits with banks and government securities exceeding Rs.500 crore mark as of 31st March 2011.
The temple has Fixed Deposits with various nationalised banks worth Rs.466 crore, while it has invested Rs 40.84 crore in Kisan Vikas Patra and Rs.22 crore in Government Bonds aggregating to about Rs.529 crore.
Besides, the Shrine has 300 kgs gold worth approx Rs.28 crore, 3,000 kg silver worth approx Rs.4 crore & in 2011 alone it got Rs 250 crore in donations, apart from some other valuables like precious stones, copper and brass objects.
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Courtesy:
Rohit Behal, Mumbai
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