OUTER VIEW OF LAKSHMI BAI TUKARAM SHINDE'S HOUSE

In a quite lane in Shirdi is Lakshmi Bai's house. It is 'as is' while huge buildings and houses are coming up around it they have not changed this house at all. Lakshmi Bai was a well-to-do woman, but she worked tirelessly, in the Masjid and was the only lady allowed to go there at nights. One evening Baba told her, He was very hungry. In a few moments she brought Bhakar and vegetables and gave them to Baba who instead of eating it gave it to a hungry dog. This upset her. So Baba said "Why do you grieve for nothing? The appeasement of the dog's hunger is the same as mine, know for certain that he who feeds the hungry really serves Me the food. Regard this as an 'axiomatic truth.' " (Ref. ESS, Ch.XLII).

After this incident Lakshmi Bai often brought Bhakar and milk with which she lovingly fed Baba. She took Samadhi on 2^nd June, 1963 and the Samadhi is right in front of her house.

LAKSHMI BAI'S STATUE

Inside the house is a small shrine with Lakshmi Bai's statue, in front of which are the nine coins enclosed in a glass top box. On Vijayadashami 1918 before Baba took Mahasamadhi He put His hand in His pocket and gave her Rs.5/- then Rs.4/- totaling Rs.9/- indicative of nine types of devotion (Ref. ESS Ch. XXI).

PILAJI GURAV'S HOUSE

This house is situated to the left. It is the corner first house while going from Gurusthan to Sevadham. At the corner is a small shrine with Baba's Padukas, commemorating the place where Baba rested while going to Lendi Bagh daily. Balaji came to Shirdi in 1912 with his parents. Both mother and father had dreamt of Baba. The father in the dream was summoned to Shirdi. While the mother dreamt that Baba asked her for 50 paise and a piece of cloth, so they both decided to go to Shirdi. They came from Korallah to Rahata where Tatya's Munim brought them to Shirdi. Baba abused and beat him and he was often afraid of Baba. But Dixit allayed his fears saying it was a blessing in disguise. Thus they stayed on. He played the clarion at Arati and for Baba many times. He carried Mahalsapathi (after he became blind) on his back to and from his house whenever Baba called him. Most importantly for us he has the waist cloth (Langoti) of Baba which was removed during the last bath after Baba took Mahasamadhi. This Langoti was worshipped by this family.

BABA'S PADUKAS ADJOINING PILAJI'S HOUSE

BHAGOJI SHINDE'S HOUSE

This is called Shinde Wada where Bhagoji stayed. He was the personal companion and Sevak of Baba. Outwardly he looked unfortunate because of leprosy. He was indeed very very fortunate to do Seva and be with Baba constantly. Baba once saved him from death due to high fever, but arrested his leprosy, not curing it completely. He carried the umbrella for Baba while going to and from Lendi Bagh. He massaged and Put Panthis on Baba's burnt hand daily till Baba's Mahasamadhi (Ref. ESS. Ch. VII).

SHYAMA'S HOUSE

This house is situated towards the right bylane while going from Dwarakamai to the Bazaar. Shyama was 'the Nandi to Bhola Baba'. He was born in Nimon and came to Shirdi at the age of two years along with his parents and stayed in this house till his Mahasamadhi.

This house is very sacred as Baba gave him various books to keep and read. There is a statue of Ganapati towards the right hand corner in the main room and it is said that this Ganapati was given by Baba. There are some original photographs of Baba (going to Lendi Bagh and Baba sitting with Shyama to His left and Mahalsapathi to His right.)

After Shyama, this house was looked after by his son Udhavrao Deshpande who breathed his last on 27.6.1998. Udhav Rao stated that he was a young lad before Baba's Mahasamadhi and often he would play with Baba. Baba loved children a lot, and he spent many evenings playing with Baba. Once Shyama asked Baba "What would happen to this child?. It is stated that Baba said, "He will grow up in the Masjid and that there will be no dearth of funds for his livelihood". Now the widow of Udhav Rao looks after this house.

MAHALSAPATHI'S HOUSE

BABAS PADUKA IN MAHALSAPTHI'S HOUSE

ARTICLES GIVEN TO MAHALSAPTHI BY BABA

ABDUL BABA'S COTTAGE

his cottage lies in front of the Chavadi. Abdul Baba was married to Umran Rao Bi and had a son. His father was conferred the title of 'Sultan' and called 'Chotu Sultan of Manded' village. Abdullah was serving Amiruddin Baba and following the dream vision, Amiruddin sent him to Shirdi. In Shirdi he worked as a Sevak, doing all kinds of menial jobs. Having no money he begged for his food. He strictly followed Baba's instructions 'eat little and sleep little'.

He slept wherever he could. Then he built a small mud house where the cottage now stands. When the Sansthan was formed they leased the land and cottage to him. He kept busy looking after Baba's Samadhi.

CHIMTA SAID TO BE GIVEN BY BABA

The devotees who visit the cottage have an opportunity to venerate 'the Chimta.' This is said to be given to him by Baba and Abdullah treasured it, prayed to it daily with Loban incense. Abdullah used this for curing the pains and ailments of the devotees. One can also see the original photos of Baba which are framed and hung on the left wall.

Baba is also said to have given him a Satka, and a tin mug. But we the devotees are most grateful to Abdul Baba who wrote down 'the sayings, teachings, parables' of Baba and read them daily as his Quran.

INSIDE VIEW OF ABDUL BABA'S COTTAGE

SAYINGS OF BABA WRITTEN BY ABDUL BABA