Miracles & Testimonials of Shirdi Sai Baba

The wealthy man, the beggar & the ₹75 in his pocket

Baba is omnipotent and omniscient, Dr. Nori says. He knows everything that is happening around his devotees. Once a very wealthy man came to him for Brahma Gyan — knowledge of the divine. Baba created a scenario to teach him a lesson. A beggar came to the rich man and asked for Rs. 2 to buy something. Baba looked at the rich man’s pocket and gave the beggar only one rupee. The rich man was watching the whole episode but could not give any money to the beggar. Baba scolded the man: “You have Rs 75 in your pocket and you did not have the humility or courtesy to give even one or two rupees to the beggar.” The man checked his pocket and had exactly Rs 75 with him. “You want salvation. When you cannot part with a little bit of your money, then how can you get salvation,” Baba told him.

“Baba did not perform miracles to show off. He did them to teach.”

The leprosy patient & Baba’s shawl

Baba did miracles without showing off or drama like magicians do. He once cured a leprosy patient. He put his shawl on the patient, and the next day when the man woke up, the disease was gone.

Diwali: water in the diyas burns for 24 hours

The Diwali story is well known. Baba wants to celebrate Diwali in Dwarkamai and asks a girl devotee to take a container and go to the local grocer to get a little bit of oil to light the diyas. The little girl goes to the shops one by one, but nobody gives her the oil and she comes back disappointed. Baba tells her not to worry. He takes some plain water and does divine intervention and pours it in the diyas — and lo and behold, all diyas light up and keep burning for 24 hours. There are incredible stories in the book, Dr. Nori says.

The bitter Neem leaves turn sweet

Another miracle Baba did was about the Neem tree in Shirdi. He wanted a devotee to take Neem leaves to cure him of some ailment. The guy said, “I cannot take it as it is very bitter.” Baba asked him to try it — and the guy chewed the Neem leaves, and they were very sweet.

“My children are having lunch” — the thunderstorm waits

He is distributing meals to his devotees when there is a big thunderstorm and everyone starts to get up and run for shelter. He tells them to sit down and shouts at the cloud: “This is not the time, my children are having lunch. Come back later.” The rain stops. After everyone completes their meal, the thunderstorm returns. This tells us that he has total control on all the five elements that are at his command.

Rain stops for his daughter’s wedding

A similar miracle happened to me, Dr. Nori says. My daughter and my family are big devotees of Baba. During her wedding, which was outdoors in the daytime, it started raining cats and dogs. My daughter and I prayed to Baba and the thunderstorm stopped. The sun came out and I did not have to even wipe the chairs. The wedding went well without any interruption, and everyone enjoyed the feast. When the guests left, it started pouring again. I call it a miracle in Kaliyug. Everyone who witnessed it said, how is this possible without Baba’s intervention? Some of my friends became Sai devotees after that.

Finding the Baldwin temple — on a Thursday

I wanted to build a temple to Baba and looked for a place for 10 years in New Jersey and New York without luck, because the requirements were not met. One Thursday, I challenged Baba in my morning prayer, “I am giving up. Maybe I am not the right person to build your mandir.” When I went to work that day at my oncology clinic, a cancer patient I had treated came for a follow up. She turned out to be the owner of a real estate company. I told her I was looking for a place for a temple that should have a big hall for prayers, and some rooms to do cooking and serving prasadam, etc., and municipal parking. An hour later, she called me and suggested this place in Baldwin — Knights of Columbus had put it on sale. I rushed there, looked at it, and signed the contract, all on the same Thursday, Baba’s day. After that everything fell into place — the design, construction, finding photos. So many miracles happened in that mandir all because Baba wanted to be there.

Baldwin was the only Mandir at that time and people asked me to build another temple in New Jersey, which I did, and that has become a pilgrimage center for a lot of devotees. In Baldwin, Baba gave me experience as to how to make a bigger temple. He trained me with the Baldwin temple. Now I have built the Hicksville temple for people of Suffolk County. When I ran into problems with construction, etc., Baba used to give me the solution by pointing to who to contact. It is incredible.

Two identical 50 × 20 carpets

One time in meditation Baba gave me a vision that in Baldwin mandir I need a huge carpet. So, I went to the carpet store and asked the manager for two identical pieces 50 X 20 each. He said, “No way can we get two identical big carpets.” He called back after an hour and said there are two identical designs of carpets size 50 X 20. You see Baba’s presence everywhere. After the architect completed the design for the Baldwin temple — the site was a church previously — he said this is a perfect symmetry.

At Shirdi, the aarti doors open for him

I am a chief advisor of a big hospital in Shirdi in India, and I get treated like a VIP at the Baba temple there. I go there frequently. Once I drove to Shirdi and aarti was about to start and the doors were closing. I did not know whether I would get in. But out of the blue a man came out and gave me prasad and went back in, and I could go in too. It is as though someone was listening to my wish to attend the aarti. Every time I am there, the priest gives me a garland from Baba’s murti, which I consider a blessing.

The dejected devotee who became a top doctor in New York

There was one devotee here at the Baldwin mandir who felt dejected after she could not get into medical school. I prayed and brought her in and gave her a wonderful recommendation letter and she got in — and is today a top doctor in New York.

Dushera: jasmine flowers shower on two singers

Once on Dushera we had prepared a backdrop with jasmine flowers like a curtain. The function got over and the next day two middle aged ladies came to the temple from some place far away. They looked like high level Carnatic singers. I asked them to sing a bhajan for Baba and they sang beautifully and bowed to Baba — and suddenly the flowers from the backdrop showered on them. This was an incredibly beautiful scene to behold. There is a real presence of living God in our mandirs.

“My name is Madhav Rao Deshpande”

One last story to finish this piece. I frequently discuss with Vani Garu in Hicksville about Baba, and she goes in depth. She has a communication channel with Baba, and he was instructing her what needed to be told to me. I used to spend a lot of time with her. One day she was telling me about Madhav Rao and how he tried to bring devotees to Baba. But she was not sure about this devotee’s surname… Deshmukh, Deshpande? After I reached home and turned on the TV, the channel that came on was showing a serial on Sai Baba and there was a character who said, “My name is Madhav Rao Deshpande.” See the power of Baba.

Supreya Mehra — 15 years at Baldwin

Supreya Mehra · Baldwin devotee

I come to the Sai temple in Baldwin because I feel the presence of the Divine here. I’ve been regularly visiting the temple for more than 15 years. In the chaos of the world, I come here for calmness and peace, for joy and happiness and to seek the blessings of Baba. I feel ecstatic, it’s like the mind, heart and soul all get in-sync after coming here. This place is blessed to have that energy and the vibe where one can feel the live presence of Baba and prayers are answered. Thank you to Dr. Nori and his foundation for their efforts in starting this center for the community which is a source of peace and tranquility for Baba’s devotees.

Vipula Barot — Shivam, twice saved

Vipula Barot · Massapequa, NY

We have always been blessed with Baba’s blessings. When my husband and I were pregnant with our second child Shivam, we were given troubling news during the second trimester. The doctor had told us that my child will be born with serious health issues, since his kidneys were abnormally large. The doctor had told us to perform a medical test, amniocentesis, which at that time seemed risky to us. My husband and I are strong in our faith and decided not to go through with the procedure. We went to the temple every day and prayed for our child to be healthy. As always Baba did not disappoint and gave us a healthy baby, even though the doctor had predicted otherwise.

Seventeen years later, Baba continues to shower his blessings on us and our son, Shivam, now 17 years old, had gotten into an accident in which three cars were totaled. His car crashed and his airbag went off. But by the grace of Baba, he left the accident without a scratch. For the last decade and a half, I have devoted my time at the Sai temple in Baldwin by making garlands. I do this to display my love, faith and thanks to Baba for constantly showering his grace on my family. I am in constant awe of how this temple and my devotion has brought me closer to Baba.

A devotee’s three experiences — in her darkest days, a granddaughter, a wedding in COVID

During my darkest days in a very dark place sometime ago, Baba appeared in the form of a picture given to me out of the blue by a Muslim fellow unknown to me that carried me through that tough journey and gave me and family solace.

Our second experience was last year. My granddaughter was born with heart complications and faced severe multiple surgical procedures to save her life. Baba came in my dream and assured me that her suffering will be over soon and sure enough everything went well and today she is a vibrant 16 month old child with nothing but love and happiness to give.

Our third experience: Our physician daughter’s nuptials were scheduled for April this year and planned and booked over a year ago. But because of surging COVID restrictions we were not sure if all events had to be cancelled. So, in January, while we were contemplating what to do Baba conveyed to me not to worry and proceed with the ceremony and sure enough, the events went flawlessly and family and friends enjoyed to the fullest.

Devotion and Shraddha and Saburi is so vital and transformational; if it is in your belief system, it works wonders. Because Baba is behind it with his blessings. Om Sai Ram.

Suresh & Anita Hiranandaney — born in Sirur, 100 years after Baba came to Shirdi

Suresh Hiranandaney and his wife Anita Hiranandaney

I and my wife Anita Hiranandaney would like to share some of our recent experiences. My birth was in a small village called Sirur in district Ahmednagar in 1954 and coincidentally Baba came to Shirdi, Ahmednagar exactly 100 years ago, in 1854. So I feel connected with Baba. Baba has blessed our family in so many ways.

Uma Kasaraneni — hip necrosis, and Baba’s shining face

Uma Kasaraneni · Levittown, NY

Devotee interventions are countless and immerse in our everyday life. My faith and devotion in Sai Baba has strengthened over the years. Baba listens to our prayers and helps us come out of difficult situations, trauma and depression. We can feel his presence in our daily activities. The great Saint Baba’s real life miracles are beyond imagination. I have personally experienced them many times.

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with bilateral hip necrosis. It became hard to walk, bend or exercise. I sought treatment from a few doctors and even visited a hospital for Super Specialty Surgery. I took physical therapy for several months. I was told that I would have to wait for the third stage of deterioration and eventually need a full hip replacement surgery. Until my daughter’s wedding two years ago, I was worried I would not be able to help in the marriage preparations and activities. The hip and back pain were so severe and excruciating. During this period my pain was so overwhelming that I forgot to pray, think about God and serve prasadam to Baba. For three months, I was not sleeping at all and was struggling with negative thoughts and feeling very low. I built a routine of listening to music on my iPad to help me fall asleep.

One night, I was in so much pain that I could not lift the iPad. It was 9 p.m. I closed my eyes, saw Baba’s beautiful face, bright and colorful, shining like a light in my eyes. The next thing I could recall was waking up the next morning at 6, feeling refreshed and full of positive thoughts. Soon after, I met the right doctors who provided me with good treatment plans. Since that time, I have remained in the second stage of my diagnosis and was fully able to enjoy my daughter’s wedding. I felt Baba came to me to help, when I was unable to reach him. Thank you Baba. May Baba continue to bless and guide me every day. Baba’s blessings should extend to all of us.

Dr. Baishnab & Nandita Mohanty — a house in Long Island, with zero down payment

Dr. Baishnab Mohanty and Nandita Mohanty · Westbury, NY — “Baba My Life!!”

One of my friends took me to the Baldwin Sai Baba temple in the USA [around] 2006–7. It was a Thursday and I participated in the Baba Abhishek at the temple. Prayed and went home. We started worshipping Baba at home. I did not have a car then. So coming to Baldwin did not happen for 2 or 3 years. Life went on. I started going to the temple occasionally as we were living in Queens then. In 2008, a friend suggested I buy a house. We were looking for a house, but we did not have enough for a down payment. While praying one day I said, “Baba, if you get me a house in Long Island, it will be easier to come to you. I will offer kheer (rice pudding) to you.” Things started changing after that. I still do not believe how it happened.

We bought the house we have been living in since 2008 with “zero down payment”. A nonprofit organization came forward to loan us the down payment amount. When I wanted to thank the company people, I could not find them. As if Baba did all of this only to bless us. The closing happened in 3 weeks. We even got a check of $2000 at the closing for some repairing work. I am still crazy out of emotion while writing this. I kept my word. Made kheer the day we received keys to our house and took it to the temple. Since then Baba loves my cooking, I guess. We have been lucky enough to serve dinner to Baba on Saturday evenings. We are so lucky to have the blessing from Baba. And now Dr Nori started another temple in Hicksville, which is even closer to us. As a working lady (I work as a senior manager in software in Publishers Clearing House) it becomes difficult for me to go to temple on Thursdays. We go to the temple on Saturdays. We believe that our Baba day. Baba please bless with all HIS LOVE to Dr. Nori for doing such commendable work for the community!!

Adinarayana Kondeti — “How much eagerly you seek me…”

Adinarayana Kondeti · Edison, NJ

Sairam, I remember reading the below assurance in one of Sai Baba’s books: “How much eagerly you seek me, so much warmly I will embrace you.” I am fortunate to experience Baba’s mercy most re—

Anil & Anju Jain — Parul, the truck, and touching Baba’s feet at Iselin

Anil Jain and Anju Jain · Suffolk County, NY · Daughter Parul

Our faith in Baba started around the year 2007. It was the 16th of May 2008 and we were driving back our daughter Parul from Binghamton, NY. As usual we came across a lot of traffic and to avoid that we thought of coming through Manhattan instead of driving through the Bronx. I was telling Parul about Sai Satcharitra on the W53rd and 6th Ave for her to pick up something to eat. While crossing 6th Ave she was literally run over by a midsize truck but somehow the truck stopped with her foot under the wheel. At that moment she felt the presence of a white robed person holding the truck. This is her experience of seeing Baba. She had bruises and was treated for burns and later plastic surgery was done. This is how one could be saved with having faith in Baba. Our faith in Baba got cemented then. We thanked Baba for giving back our daughter. I myself have also experienced the presence of Baba on many occasions.

I go to Sai Mandir, Iselin during weekends for volunteering. On one Saturday this May, my wife had to go to work so I did not have a car and decided to walk to the temple about 3 miles away. The temple opens by 10 am, so I set out around 8:50 am. Not sure if I will make it in time, I ran for a few stretches. Finally I could reach the temple by 9:50 am and felt proud that I could make it on time to start my duty. After praying to Baba, I started sweeping the mandir hall floor. But this time, the priest called me. He was new and was doing abhishekam. He asked me to sweep Baba’s podium. Generally, this does not happen as the priests themselves or a dedicated lady does the cleaning around Baba’s podium. I never imagined that I will get an opportunity to clean the podium around Baba. I was thrilled. I went into the kitchen, removed my socks and washed my hands and went running towards Baba’s podium. As I was looking around for the special broom reserved for podium sweeping, the priest told me, “Touch Baba’s feet, first.” I was astonished because after corona restrictions, no one was allowed to go near Baba’s podium other than priests. Forget about climbing and going near Baba so close and then touching his feet. I touched His feet almost with tears. As eagerly I came to the temple running, as dearly Baba invited me to His throne and feet. Saibaba is Samardha Sadguru. He will go to any extent and make things happen unimaginable for the sake of his devotees. We just need to be ready and willing.

Bala Nori & family — guided through a frightening illness

Bala Nori, Anantha, Harinee & Yamini

Our Pranams to Baba. We had on many occasions experienced the blessings and grace of Baba. I and my family are blessed to experience all-pervasive presence and miracles of Baba at every stage. In Sai Mandir — Baldwin we always feel Baba’s grace and every time we go to the mandir we feel rejuvenated as the omnipresence of Baba is felt everywhere. Seeing all the devotees coming to the mandir we can see their total focus and devotion to Baba and feel we have a lot to learn from all the devotees.

Just the look of Baba and touching Baba’s feet which is allowed in Baldwin mandir removes all fears and a feeling of peace. Baba’s look and the feeling of Karuna (compassion) is like a mother’s blessing. Either for our immigration, work or health we always experienced Baba holding our hand and guiding us. Most recently last year in April/May I had severe throat pain, heavy breathing and literal black out feeling. But after praying to Baba I felt guided to listen to Sri Vishnusahasranama stotram and felt totally fine after a couple of moments. We pray to Baba to always guide us and shower grace and blessings like a mother. Sai Ram.

Ashok Vyas — a miraculous inner journey at Sai Mandir, Baldwin

Ashok Vyas · with his wife Sheila

My first visit to Sai Mandir, Baldwin was in 2003. It was to record a speech of Viswayogi Viswamjee Maharaj and coincided with the day I had completed reading of Guru Charitra. Viswayogi ji got delayed due to traffic and I sat down in the “Dwarka Mai” room after Shirdi Baba’s darshan. I take the liberty of sharing a personal experience of that day. As I was quietly doing japa of my Diksha Mantra, dedicated to Lord Krishna, I felt as if I was losing my limited identity. A gradual awareness of expansion of my being was happening, which was taking me beyond my limited identity with name and form. I was happy and scared at the same time. I didn’t want to lose my name, form, unwillingness to lose my identity and name and form. But there was a feeling of being taken over by a higher power, and a sense of peace and bliss. Silver Vigraha of Bhagwan Dattatreya, my completion of reading Guru Charitra and receiving this Vigraha as prasad was also no less than a miracle.

Over the years, gradually me and my wife Sheila both started developing an intense relationship with Shirdi Baba. We started visiting Baldwin temple every Thursday evening (the continuity was broken after I started doing a live show “Insight Tonight” at ITV Gold) and felt immense peace there and a pleasing fragrance in the car on our return. I have participated in important Hindu festivals as well as havans at the temple and had a chance to mingle with the inspired team of volunteers, who work selflessly in the temple. It was blissful to listen to the Sanskrit Brothers. By Baba’s grace, gradually Dr Nori Dattatreya has become a friend, philosopher and guide for me. He supported the idea of a weekly series of Shirdi Baba, titled “Shirdi Sai Vishwa Sai”, the title song was composed and presented by Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj ji and his disciple Pandita Tripti Desai ji. Shirdi Sai temple proved to be a thriving cultural center, with several important saints coming to address and descend, polished artists performing with love and joy in the presence of Shirdi Baba. This temple has also special relation with landmark events of my life. It is especially joyful to witness the 20th anniversary celebration of the Mandir in Baldwin. Thank you to Kamlesh Mehta ji and Parveen Chopra ji for this special supplement to honor this auspicious day. I also want to remember the founders of ITV Gold, Dr Bansal and Mrs Sadhna Vishwanath, who also visited the temple with faith. It is also Shirdi Baba’s grace that the current chairman of ITV Gold Padma Shri Dr Sudhir Parikh is also a Sai Baba devotee and carries a picture of Baba everywhere with him. I cherish the most miraculous stories from several devotees about their bonding with Swami Vivekananda’s words, who said, there could be infinite forms of God, but the most miraculous is Shirdi Baba, whose divine presence is everywhere. Shirdi Baba showers that sense of love and oneness and his message of Shraddha (Faith) and Saburi (Patience) offers solution to all problems. May all beings be happy and healthy.