An idol of Sri Thayumana Shridi Sai Baba was consecrated on the campus of the Garbaratchagi Mahal here recently.
The idol, measuring 3.5 feet in height and 17 inches in breadth, was designed in Jaipur and is in the ‘abhyahastha’ form. The idol was brought in a procession from the Sri Manicka Vinayagar Temple at the bottom of the Rockfort Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple where preliminary ‘aarthi’ was performed.
The idol was brought to the Mahal campus after special aarthi at Sri Ukkiramakali Amman temple and Court Pillaiyar temple.
This is the first shrine in the city dedicated to Sri Sai Baba. The idol has been named as Sri Thayumana Sai Baba as Tiruchi city is popular for Rockfort Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, said Jayam Kanan, Trustee of the Shirdi Sri Thayumana Sai Baba Seva Project.
A large number of devotees offered worship shortly after the idol was consecrated at the Mahal.
The temple is open from 9-00 a.m. to 10-30 p.m. daily, according to Ms. Jayam Kannan.
Art edition
An art edition of the Bhagavad Gita was another salient feature of this temple. Weighing about 14.6 kg, the edition has the English and Hindi translation of the original ‘slokas’ running to about 650 pages of 18 chapters of the Gita.
“This signature edition has been created with materials sourced from across the globe. For instance, the fine paper has been sourced from sustainable forests in Europe, environment-friendly vegetable ink and other materials made of natural ingredients have been used. The golden-gilded fore edges ensure its preservation. The price of the Gita is about Rs.44,000.
