Shirdi Sai Baba was an Indian Satguru (spiritual master), who was born around 1918. His family background and place of birth largely remains a mystery, but his loyal followers, both Hindus and Muslims revered him as Eashwar and Allah respectively. Many Hindu followers even consider him an avatar of Lord Shiva and Dattatreya. Sai, as he was referred to, embraced both Hinduism and Islam and in his teachings, included tenets from both the religions.

 Sai (which means, ‘saint’) made Shirdi his place of residence and led an ascetic life, living in the Khandoba temple there and then moved on to live a mosque.

 With time, he performed many miracles, healed the sick and even brought back people from death. Sai Baba took Samadhi in the ‘Buty Wada’, now called the Samadhi Mandir. His followers and devotees are ever-increasing in number and the Shirdi temple is a very holy shrine even today.

 This hand painting depicts the Sai Baba of Shirdi, his face glowing with compassion, blessing all his devotees.