I support Hon'ble Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray's statement about Pathri in Parbhani district in Maharashtra being birthplace of Shirdi Sai Baba

Last updated on 21st Jan. 2020

Shirdi town seems to be having a bandh (shutdown) (excluding temple and essential facilities) reportedly in opposition to Maha CM Thackeray's statement that Shirdi Sai Baba was born in Pathri in Parbhani district in Maharashtra, and his allocation of funds for development of that area (perhaps as a spiritual centre).

Sai Baba Temple To Remain Open Amid Indefinite Shirdi Shutdown From Today, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9QQUZ1vo1c, 2 min 41 secs, published by NDTV.

Sai Baba temple to remain open amid indefinite shutdown at Shirdi city from today, https://www.livemint.com/news/india/sai-baba-temple-to-remain-open-amid-indefinite-shutdown-at-shirdi-city-from-today-11579406161743.html.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Sai_Janmasthan_Temple,_Pathri says, "In 1970s, a field research established that Sai Baba was born in Pathri village. Sri Sai Smarak Samiti (Sai Memorial committee) was then formed in Pathri."

My beloved and revered Gurudev, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has said that Shirdi Sai Baba was born in Pathri. From Sathya Sai discourse on 28-9-1990, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-28.pdf, "In the former Nizam's dominions, there was a remote village called Pathri. In that village there were a couple named Gangabhavadya and Devagiriamma. They were grieving over the lack of children. In answer to their prayers, a son was born on September 28, 1835. Today is the anniversary of that day."

So I believe that Shirdi Sai Baba was born in Pathri.

However, others are free to have a different view, including the residents of holy town of Shirdi.

But is it fair of them to call for Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to withdraw his statement that Shirdi Sai Baba was born in Pathri (in Parbhani district of Maharashtra), and have an indefinite bandh (shutdown) protest for that demand? I don't think so.

They should present their arguments against the statement in a logical and peaceful way with the CM, and use discussions as a way to try to resolve the matter rather than go for indefinite shutdown which is sure to create problems for pilgrims to Shirdi.

Sathyameva Jayate - Truth alone is victorious - is the teaching of Sanathana Dharma. Let debate and discussions of learned and knowledgeable people on the matter decide the issue rather than Shirdi shutdown protests.

Please note that I am a former Mumbaikar who was born, bred and earned a livelihood in Mumbai and its outlying metropolitan area towns (Dombivli).

Further note that I have visited Shirdi a few times while I was living in Dombivli. I have great reverence for Shirdi Sai Baba and consider him to be a beloved and revered Gurudev of mine as I understand him from books about his life and his teachings.

I pray to Bhagavan Sri Shirdi Sai Baba to resolve this matter peacefully without causing trouble to pilgrims visiting Shirdi, and in a way that pacifies residents of holy town of Shirdi. Jai Sai Ram!
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21st Jan. 2020 Update

The bandh was been called off as the town folk were to meet Maharashtra CM on the matter. Note that Rs. 100 crore grant was announced to Pathri by Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to develop it as a spiritual centre and it seems that it was in this context that he said that it was the birthplace of Shirdi Sai Baba.

Shirdi shutdown called off: Meeting on Saibaba birthplace today,  https://www.livemint.com/news/india/shirdi-shutdown-called-off-meeting-on-saibaba-birthplace-today-11579488623168.html, 20th Jan. 2020