History

The Sai Mandir run by the Saidas Mandal, Pune has a small history, if we may use the word, to trace years of its existence. The particular location of the temple is called “Juna Tophkhana” i.e. it can be directly linked with Maratha history. The Mandir history is also inexorably linked with the names of Rasane family who, by their mention in the Shri Sai Sat Charita of Hemadpant, are well known to followers of Sri Sai Baba’s faith. The Saidas Mandal started as a small little group of Sai devotees carrying out daily Puja mainly in two rooms of the then Rasane Chawl, the main deity being an oil-painted photo of Sri Sai Baba in the Chawl. Another Sai altar was erected in a small mud and mortar temple in the midst of a nice green garden in the Chawl premises.

The main pujari was one Shri Mahadeo Nikam, a retired police havaldar, who was staying in one of the above rooms in the Chawl. He was a blessed brahmachari (unmarried celibate) and he was wearing on his body a Tait (Capsule Talisman) containing the holy tooth of Sri Sai Baba. An explanation of how he came to posses this holy relic of Sai Baba is necessary.

During the life of Sai Baba in Dwaraka Mai, there was a lady called Kashi Bai, who used to regularly attend to Sai Baba’s needs and also sweep the floor of Dwaraka Mai. She had a very sick child and one day she built up enough courage to ask Sai Baba, “You are curing so many devotees through your power. Why can you not do something for my son whom you see suffering? Sai Baba at first chided her but later pulled out His tooth and gave it to Kashi Bai. Sai Baba instructed her to take that tooth and encase it as a “Tait” and tie it around the arm of her son. The boy soon became alright.

One day Mr.Nikam (residing at Rasane Chawl, Pune) in circa 1946, got a dream. Sri Sai Baba appeared in this dream and directed him to go on to Nashik to the house of Kashi Bai’s son. In this dream, Shri Nikam was directed to collect from Kashi Bai’s son, the “Tait” containing the holy tooth of Sai Baba. Shri Nikam thus procured the “Tait” and as per Sai Baba’s instructions, always wore it on his body. Sai Baba had also instructed Shri Nikam in this same dream to conduct Sai Baba pooja at the place of his residence. In was in this manner that the worship of Sri Sai Baba began at Rasane’s Chawl, Pune.

Round about 1950, Shri Nikam realized that his end was nearing. He called Shri Nanasaheb Rasane and Shri Ranganathan and gave his “Tait” to them. After discussion with all the devotees who used to attend Aarati at the Sai Mandir at Rasane Chawl, it was decided that Sai Baba’s tooth should be buried under the photo in garden in Rasane Chawl and that the Sai Das Mandal should be registered officially with the government. This registration was effected on the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashmi in October 1950.

In July 1961, during Panshet and Khadakwasla dam breach floods, the Rasane Chawl was wiped out. After a few days when it was safe to visit the area, members of the Saidas Mandal, Pune found a thick, high, slushy mould where the temple was and the lone Audumbar tree standing. When this was cleared, the wonder of wonders was that the temple and both the oil-painted frame and the picture that you see in the temple was discovered, completely unblemished! The tree and the padukas in the temple were unaffected although all structures round about the place were destroyed in the fury of the flood waters! This was a miracle and this renewed the Mandal’s faith to continue prayers at this very spot in the renovated temple.

The Saidas Mandal, Pune resolved that it would rebuild this temple in small way, with the grant given by Pune Municipal Corporation and carry out some repairs after clearing the space around the affected area. A small tin shade was erected in front of the temple so that daily aarati could be done, even on rainy days. After negotiating with the owners, a simultaneous exercise was commenced to reconstruct the Sai Mandir and add few structures like Sabha Mandap and Compound Wall. For this purpose, construction was started in 1973 and completed within a year. The lovely life like “murti” (idol) of Sri Sai Baba which adorns the Sai Mandir to this day, was donated by the Rasane Family.

The Kalash Sthapana and Paduka Sthapana (with the sacred tooth well preserved in a silver casket and further encased in a copper capsule) ceremonies were conducted at the revered hands of H.H. Radha Krishna Swamiji. In this connection, it would be relevant to mention that, while digging for the tooth under the padukas, the earth of that area was sieved and after a lot of effort and tense moments, the silver tait was recovered. The same was opened and Sri Sai Baba’s tooth was exposed to public viewing for 15 days. It was once again packed into silver capsule and then encased in a copper casket and placed under the padukas by H.H. Radha Krishna Swamiji in the presence of a large gathering.