The Temple's Storyమందిర కథ

In 1991, Sri Putta Praveen Kumar of Chelluru undertook his first pilgrimage to Shirdi with his friend Bhuvaneshwar, carrying only a small amount of money. Direct bus or train connections to Shirdi were scarce at the time, and the journey was far from easy — but no hardship could stand against their longing for Baba's darshan.

"Even if my devotee is beyond the seven seas, I will draw him to me like a sparrow tied with a thread by its feet. No one can step foot in Shirdi without my command, and no one can leave without my permission." — Sri Sai Satcharitra

Surprisingly, the day after they arrived was Guru Purnima itself — the major festival Baba described as the day to worship one's guru. Being in Shirdi that day, when the Sadguru's grace pours down on his devotees, was nothing short of Baba's own mercy. That was the beginning of Praveen Ji's connection with Baba — a connection that would shape the next chapter of his life and birth the temple that now stands in Chelluru.

In 1993, Sri Putta Praveen Kumar became a lecturer at GITAM College in Visakhapatnam, where he moved with his mother. After visiting a nearby Sai Baba temple for about ten days, Baba appeared to him in a dream, saying "Build me a temple." The vision repeated on four consecutive nights. His mother, Srimati Seetambaram, initially felt they lacked the means, but on the fourth night, she agreed to a small temple with a consecrated idol. Praveen moved back to Chelluru and resigned from his position, resolved to make the vision real.

But finding land proved difficult. Attempts to acquire property failed, sometimes even at the registration stage. Praveen's mother suggested placing a small Baba idol in the local Chelluru Shiva temple instead, but the temple trust declined, stating that Baba was Muslim and could not be placed there.

Then, his grandfather, Sri Chundru Krishnananda Choudhary, had a remarkable dream. A crow landed on his cot, and he began to say "Baba... Baba" before it flew away. That night, Baba appeared to his grandfather, asking "Why search elsewhere? We have our own land," and showed him their own field. The next morning, the grandfather offered two kunchams of land at the junction of two roads to build the temple — the gift that would anchor the Mandiram.

In 1994, the first foundation stone was laid on the gifted land. Though the stone marked a sacred beginning, construction did not immediately commence. But after a second foundation ceremony was performed, the work gained real momentum.

With no outside financial support and insufficient funds of their own, Praveen pressed forward on faith alone. He devoted himself entirely to the temple's completion, spending three weeks of each month in Shirdi and one week in Chelluru, sacrificing proper food and sleep. His dedication was unwavering.

The main murti (idol) was sponsored by Praveen's close relatives, Sri Putta Viswanatha Choudhary and his wife, who agreed to fund it the moment Praveen asked. During this period, Praveen obtained a US visa in Chennai, acquiring it with ease despite having incomplete supporting documents — a small grace in the midst of the larger undertaking.

The temple's construction proceeded through these years, sustained by the family's faith, the devotion of those who helped, and the blessing of Baba himself.

With the structure secure, attention turned to the crown of the temple — the gopuram rose skyward, a beacon visible from far and wide. The exterior was detailed, windows and doorways were fitted, and the spaces were made ready for worship. Every detail was chosen with reverence for the sacred purpose ahead.

On June 27, 28, and 29, 1997, the temple celebrated the grand consecration of the main murti, the Vigraha Pratishta. Sri Sivanesan Swami, moved by Praveen Ji's extraordinary dedication, had named the temple Datta Sai Mandiram, offered sacred bricks from Shirdi's Dwarakamai for its construction, and provided notebooks holding 11 crore (110 million) repetitions of 'Sai Naam' to place beneath the altar (Peetham). The murti was consecrated directly over these sacred notebooks, installed in the sanctum with reverence and dedicated to Datta Sai Baba. From that first day of consecration, four daily Aartis have been performed without fail.

Praveen Ji had carried the temple's holy Dhuni fire from Shirdi's Dwarakamai, originally lit by Baba's own hands, on a four-day journey to Chelluru, keeping it burning the whole way. Until the formal consecration, the flame was kept safe at the local Rama Temple, before it was used to light the Dhuni that still burns at the Mandiram today.

In 1998, Praveen returned from the United States and was moved to see his dream fully realized. In 2001, through his friend Bhuvaneshwar, he connected with Sadguru Sri Sharath Babuji, whose guiding principles shaped the temple's continuing mission: it must always remain open to all devotees; there should be continuous Sai Nama Smarana (chanting), Satsangs, and recitation of the Sai Satcharitra; and the joy that Baba gives should fill everyone's life.