Grand festivity awaits opening of
Atlanta Shirdi Saibaba temple
By Ravi R. Ponangi:
Atlanta, GA: All is set for weeklong festivities of Sri Shirdi
Saibaba vigraha pratishtapana Kumbhabhishekam. The newly
constructed temple will be thrown open to public on Sunday,
March 15, 2009. Festivities for Shirdi Saibaba vigraha
pratishtapana Kumbhabhishekam will begin on Monday March 09,
2009 with Anugna, Abhishekam, Sai Sahasranamarchana, Vishnu
Sahasranama Parayanam. Different rituals like abhishekam, homa,
dhanyadhivasam, jaladhivasam, pushpadhivasam, kalasa stapana,
sikhara yantra stapana, Sri Shirdi Sainatha yantra stapana will
be held on all days prior to kumbhabhishekam on 15th. The day’s
program on 15th will commence early in the morning at 5AM and
kumbhabhishekam will be held on the auspicious muhurta at
9.49AM.

Madhavi Gandavarapu, president of North America Shirdi Sai
temple of Atlanta told India Tribune that “we are planning the
consecration ceremony from March 9th to 15th. For vigraha
pratishtapana we have 7 days puja and main function will be held
on 14th and 15th. Spiritual discourses on Shirdi Saibaba,
Bhagavad Gita, bhajans and cultural programs are also planned
besides religious rituals during the weeklong festivities”. She
also informed that they have different levels of sponsorship
levels for opening of the temple. Once the temple begins
operating, food will be served in the kitchen down stairs. The
Temple will also have a library. There will have ample space for
people to enjoy either in the old prayer hall or in the new
temple. There will be social activities also. Temple would like
to work with Atlanta food bank and others.” We are planning to
form groups to help home- less by visiting shelters. Presently
the temple is having 110 trustees managed by a board of trustees
and executive committee.” She added.
Since its formation in April, 2001, North American Shirdi Sai
temple of Atlanta and devotees of Shirdi Saibaba have been
nurturing a dream of building a temple for shirdi saibaba to
continue with their devotion to Saibaba as they are thousands of
miles away from Shirdi.

The generosity of many philanthropists and dedicated hard work
of many volunteers helped NASSTA realize its dream of building a
temple of about 15,000 Square foot facility at a cost of $4
million in Suwanee, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.
Preparations are in full swing to inaugurate the temple and to
celebrate shirdi Saibaba vigraha pratishtapana kumbhabhishekam
during March 9-15. Many Sai devotees are excited about the
opening of a new temple dedicated to shirdi Saibaba and are
eager to have an opportunity of their life time to witness
shirdi Sai vigraha pratishtapana kumbhabhishekam of the new
temple.
NAASSTA bought about 14 acres of land in Suwanee to build a
temple aimed at spreading the message of Shirdi Saibaba. Since
2002, NAASTA is operating its activities from a renovated
structure that converted into a temporary prayer hall. The
temple community made remarkable progress with ever growing
devotees. The temple serves hundreds of devotees spending
countless hours of services. Saibaba devotees believe in the
unity of religions, peace and non violence.
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