Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Mylapore, Chennai
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Shirdi Sai Baba |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Mylapore |
| District:: | Chennai |
| Address: | All India Sai Samaj,56, Alamelumangapuram Road,Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004 |
| Phone |
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Indian Saint Sai Baba of Shirdi located in the Mylapore in Chennai City in Tamilnadu. The Sai Baba Temple located at Venkatesa Agraharam Street in Mylapore is also known as All India Sai Baba Samaj. The temple was built in commemoration of Saint Shirdi Sai Baba who became a proponent of Sufism and used to perform miracles. To the present day, the light lit by Sai Baba is still here. The Temple is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Sai Baba in South India.
It is the first Sai Baba Temple in the entire Chennai. Sri Narasimha Swamy was the founder member of this temple. The temple, also known as ‘Shirdi of the South’, it sees many devotees from all over the country paying a visit to the temple. The temple is administered by All India Sai Baba Samaj. The temple allows people from all walks of life irrespective of their religion. The large hall inside the temple is suitable for meditation as well.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Chennai was built to commemorate the memory of Shirdi Sai Baba who was born in Shirdi as a Hindu and was brought by a Muslim Fakir. He later became an exponent of Sufism. He too performed “Sithu” (Miracles) like his mentor. The temple was built in 1952 by Narasimhaswami, Sai Baba devotee from Salem, out of money donated by a Chettiar merchant. In the beginning, he worshipped a picture of Baba under a tamarind tree on the street where the temple is now located.
Later, he moved the picture to a small house in Nanjunda Rao Colony in Mylapore. Swamiji constructed the present temple with help from his friend J.D. Pannalal, and performed the first consecration. This is considered the most trusted temple in India. The temple is the headquarters of the All India Sai Samaj. Its main object being propagation of the life and teachings of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. Through two decades of tireless preaching, during which he travelled almost the entire Bharat, Sri Swamiji made the name of Sri Sai Baba as familiar as that of Siva, Rama and Krishna.
Sri Swamiji authored many books highlighting that Sri Sai Baba’s mission was to bring together two communities opposed to each other – the Hindus and Muslims – within a common fold, that Baba promoted a religion of love with peace and harmony, and that Baba belonged to no particular religion or faith, that he was neither Hindu nor Muslim, with his birth and early life shrouded in mystery.
Temple Opening Time
On Thursdays, the temple is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on other days it is open from 5 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Festivals
Many festivals are organised here, the most important one being the 10-day Navarathri celebration, which ends on Mahasamadhi day, which falls on Vijayadasami. As Baba wanted his devotees to celebrate his birthday on Sri Rama Navami day, various events are organised that day. Guru Poornima is also celebrated. Birth anniversary of Narasimha Swamiji will be celebrated every year on August 21.
Devotees throng the temple on Thursday, the special day for Sai Baba, following the preaching and bhajans of Bhagwan Shirdi Sai, in the heart of the city of Chennai. On Sundays Agni Pooja is performed. People come here to attend the Agni Pooja, a special pooja which is performed on every Sundays.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
The Sai Baba Temple located at Venkatesa Agraharam Street in Mylapore. The temple is easily accessible from all parts of Chennai by means of local transport like bus, autos and taxis. The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Mylapore Bus Stop and 650 meters from Mylapore Railway Station. Mylapore is located a few kilometers to the south of the British-built Chennai city. It lies between Triplicane and Teynampet in the west then across to the coast in the east. It is bounded by Royapettah to the north.
Its southern frontier corresponds roughly with that of the River Adyar. It extends for around 4 km from north to south and 2 km from east to west. Mylapore is in the heart of Chennai city and is linked with local trains and bus facilities. Mylapore is located at about 5 Kms from Triplicane, 3 Kms from Teynampet, 2.5 Kms from Royapettah, 6 Kms from Adyar, 6 Kms from T Nagar, 3 Kms from Marina Beach, 3 Kms from Santhome, 3 Kms from Alwarpet, 5 Kms from Nungambakkam and 7 Kms from Kodambakkam.
By Road:
Mylapore is connected to other parts of the city by MTC buses, with connections including Chennai Central, T. Nagar, Tambaram, Broadway. Mylapore is located at about 10 Kms from Koyambedu Bus Terminus.
List of MTC bus routes covers through in and out of Mylapore;
| Route Number | Start | End | Via |
| 1 | Thiruvottriyur | Thiruvanmiyur | Broadway, Central, Royapettah, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar |
| 1A | Thiruvottriyur | Thiruvanmiyur | Broadway, Central, Royapettah, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar |
| 1C | Ennore | Thiruvanmiyur | Thiruvottriyur, Broadway, Central, Royapettah, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar |
| 1D | Ennore | Thiruvanmiyur | Broadway, Central, Royapettah, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar |
| 5B | T. Nagar | Mylapore | Mandaveli, Adyar, Saidapet |
| 12B | Foreshore Estate | Vadapalani | Santhome, Kutchery Road, Luz, Alwarpet, Pondy Bazar, Kodambakkam |
| 12C | Saligramam | Mylapore | Vadapalani, Rangarajapuram, Panagal park, Adyar Gate, Mandaveli |
| M15 | Tambaram East | Mylapore | Mandaveli, Adyar, SRP tools, Velachery, Pallikaranai |
| M15xt | East Tambaram | Mylapore | Mandaveli, Adyar, SRP tools, Velachery, Pallikaranai, Medavakkam, Camp road |
| 21 | Mandaveli | Broadway | Mylapore, Royapettah, Central RS |
| 21B | Adyar | Parrys | Andhra Mahila Sabha, Music College, Foreshore Estate, Santhome, Chepauk, Madras University, Secretariat, RBI |
| 21C | Kannagi nagar | Central (RS) | Royapettah, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar, SRP tools, |
| 21G | Broadway | Tambaram | Chepauk, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Kotturpuram, Gandhi Mandapam, Guindy, Kathipara, Meenambakkam, Pallavaram, Tambaram |
| 29C | Besant Nagar | Perambur | Adyar, Mandaveli, Mylapore, Stella Mary’s College, Nungambakkam, Chetpet |
| 45G | Guindy | Anna Square | Saidapet West, Mettupalayam, Srinivasa Theater, CIT nagar, Adyar Gate, Mandaveli, Mylapore, V. house |
By Train:
Thirumayilai Railway Station, on the Mass Rapid Transit System network, connects Mylapore to Chennai Beach to the north and Velachery on the south. Mylapore is located at about 9 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station and 6 Kms from Egmore Railway Station.
By Air:
Nearest Airport is Chennai International Airport located at about 17 Kms from Mylapore.
Contact Details
All India Sai Samaj,
56, Alamelumangapuram Road,
Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004
Phone: +91 44 2494 0784