Source: IBN-7
Shirdi (Maharashtra - India) '“ It is said
that the Life like Idol of Sai Baba in Shirdi's Sai Temple fulfills
everybody's wishes so much so that the devotees are ready to offer
their everything on this charismatic Idol of Baba.
But due to the ignorance of one Devotee, this Idol of Sai Baba at
Shirdi has been damaged.
What happened is, that one Devotee, to get his Wishes Fulfilled made
an offering to Baba by throwing a Five Rupee coin directly
on Baba's Idol.
This Five rupee Coin fell directly on Baba's Left Toe, damaging the
Thumb, by making a small hole in it.
This un-repairable damage has left the Shirdi Temple Management
quite perturbed.
According to Shri.Sadashiv Gorakhshar, Shirdi temple's advisor,
devotees throw Flowers / Garlands, small flower bouquets & Coins
directly on Baba's Idol unaware of the fact that throwing coins etc
can actually damage the Idol.
So,
after careful examination of the situation, the Expert's have
advised the Shirdi Temple Trust:
1. To stop the offerings of Flowers, Garlands, and Coins etc
that are thrown directly on Baba's Idol..
2. To keep Devotees at a distance from Baba's Idol..
3. To prohibit the Devotees from offering Rose water or any
other perfumed things which they get, especially for Baba's Mangal
Snan , as all of them contain Chemicals which when poured on Baba
during the Mangal Snan can harm the Idol in the long run.
4. The Expert's have also advised the Shirdi Temple Trust to
avoid the use of too much water or Rose water for Baba's Mangal Snan (bath)
and instead just to wipe the Idol with a damp cloth.
Along with the Samadhi Shrine, these restrictions are to be applied
in Dwarkamai also.
Babaâ's Devotees at present might object to these restriction's that
have been put on their offerings,
but for the preservation of Baba's Idol, these steps had to be
taken,
as after all to have darshan of this very Idol of Baba only,
devotees wait in long queues for hours at a stretch.