Shirdi Sai Temple CEO Clears Air On Shrine Closure Rumours

Dismissing media reports, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sai Temple in Shirdi, Dipak Muglikar, on Saturday said that the shrine will remain open on Sunday (January 19)

“There are some reports in media that Sai Temple in Shirdi will remain close on 19th January. I want to clarify that it is just a rumour. Temple will remain open on 19th January,” he told the ANI.

According to media reports, the shrine administration had decided to close it in protest against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray mentioning Pathri at Parbhani as Sai Baba’s birthplace. The CM had said it while announcing an allotment of Rs 100 crore for the development of Pathri .

“We have announced to close the Shirdi temple from January 19 in protest against rumours . A meeting of the villagers will be convened on Saturday evening to discuss the issue. Devotees will not face any difficulty if they come to Shirdi,” B Wakchaure of Saibaba Sansthan Trust was quoted as saying in some media reports.

Thackeray’s announcement did not go down well with the local people and they have sought an explanation from the CM.

“The locals are unhappy with Thackeray for describing Pathri as the birthplace of Sai Baba. There is no document available about Sai Baba’s birthplace. Sai Baba himself never shared any information about his birthplace or religion during his stay in Shirdi,” Kailasbapu Kote, former trustee of Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, was quoted as saying by The Times of India.