About Mandir
The great Apostles of Baba through who's blessings the mandir had the divine direction for it's development are Sri B.V Narasimha Swamiji , Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, Sri Shivamma Thayee, Sri Swami Kesavaiahji of Chennai & Sri Sivaneshan Swamiji of Shirdi.
Sri B.V Narasimha Swamiji
Sri Narasimha Swamiji is appropriately known as the great apostle of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi as he spread Sai Baba’s Ideology majorly in south India and he established the first Sai Samaj (All India Sai Samaj) in Mylapore, Chennai.
Swamiji was Born on 21st August 1874 in Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu. In 1925, he left home in search of a Sadguru, for spiritual pursuit. He met Sri Upasani Baba (Divine Saint of Sakori), who guided him towards Sai Baba of Shirdi. With his blessings, he then moved to Shirdi in the year 1936, where he felt the divine connection. In his journey he interacted with Baba’s closest devotees namely Shama, Tatya, Lakshmibai Shinde, Kaka Mahajani, Bhagoji Shinde, Meru Naik and others to name a few.
He has written many books including 4 volumes of Life of Sai Baba which is the most authentic literature on life of Sai Baba.
Sai Baba’s ashtotra that is chanted every day is also in his list of contributions.
In 1954, Narasimha Swamiji visited our temple in Malleshwaram and blessed all the devotees and gave discourse which was held in Seva Sadan 14th cross Malleshwaram and the same was published in the weekly magazine Prajamata of those days.
The more details of his life are available in the books published by Sri Sai Spiritual centre, Thyagarajnagar and All India Sai Samaj in Mylapore, Chennai
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji was born in Poyyamani village in Trichy district of Tamil Nadu on 15th April 1906. He was the chosen disciple of of Sri Narasimha Swamiji who was instrumental in bringing Sai Baba’s ideologies to Karnataka. He made Bangalore his headquarters as per the directions of Sri Narasimha Swamiji.
He ensured that the devotees developed keen interest, and in presence of Sai Baba guided them to chant Sri Vishnu Sahasranama regularly to ward off their difficulties. A book is written by Shri Parthasarathy (former chief editor of Hindu Newspaper) called “Apostle of love” and can be referred for more details of his Divine life.
Sri Sivaneshan Swamiji of Shirdi
Swami Kesavaiahji of Chennai
Early years of mandir & it's formation
It was in the early 1940s when the names of ‘Shirdi’ and ‘Sri Sai Baba’ started to gain popularity in Bangalore. One of the earliest persons in Malleshwaram who who came under the sway of “Sai-ism” was late S. Raja Iyengar, Jodidar of Mathikere, popularly known as Rajanna. He was a popular figure in Malleshwaram, who moved around on his bicycle and was a friend of everyone.
The mandir was started in a rice depot aka Akki Mandi by a few people. After few days it was shifted to Sampige road between 6th and 7th cross to a small shop in a vatara named Geetha, paying a rent of 6 rupees. The mandir was here for 45 years, Sri NSN Murthy served here as an honorary secretary with great devotion and fervour.
In 1950’s Sri Harohalli Shama Shastry was the priest who was taking care of daily pooja & rituals. Annually three main festivals were celebrated namely Sri Ramnavami, Sri Gurupoornima & Navratri Celebrations including Baba’s Maha Samadhi with special poojas on thursdays.
During these main festivals, due to lack of space Sri Kanika Parameshwari temple in 8th cross & Sri Ram Bhajan Sabha of east park road were utilized for discourses and conducting cultural programs. The mandir is indebted to both the organisations for their help during those days.
Sri Kunanooru Sitharam Shastry, Sri Gururajalu Naidu, Sri Achyuta Das, their contributions during festivals is also noteworthy.
Smt Papa Chudamani, Sri Balakrishna, Smt Sunderamma and Her 5 daughters including her eldest daughter Smt JayaLakshamma who were pious and wrote and sung the bhajans which are chanted even today in our daily prayers.
Baba’s Idol worshipped at old mandir
Baba’s Old Mandir between 5th & 6th cross, Malleshwaram
Portrait of Baba worshipped at old mandir
Expansion and Development of Sri Sai Mandali
The mandir was then constructed in a new premises between 14th and 15th cross in Malleshwaram.
Names of few noteworthy individuals who immensely contributed to the new mandir are Sri S Raja Iyengar, Sri NS Seshadri, Sri Krishna Swamy Iyengar, Contractor Sri Ramchandra Rao, Electrical Contractor Sri Padmanabhiah, Advocate Anantha Ramaiah, Late Sri Bhimarao.
The great visionary Late Sri D.V Murthy, the past president of Sai Mandali, due to whose untiring efforts and directions the mandir was built on rocky terrain stone by stone along with other sevaks namely Sri Nadkarni, Sri SG Ramchandra, Smt Mangala Ramchandra, Smt Nagarathnamma, Smt Prema Ravishankar, Sri Bhimarao, Sri Narasimha who also have to be remembered here. The mandir was moved to the new premises constructed by engineer Sri Ravishankar with the contribution of large number of donors coming from diverse backgrounds.
It is noteworthy to remember the past presidents of our mandir in the present premises Late Sri Nadkarni(1990-91), Late Sri D V Murthy(1991-2005), Late Smt Mangala Ramchandra(2005-2022) and Late Prof Vishakanta(2003-2020) who served as the chairman of Sai Mandali Trust with exemplary devotion & dedication.
Sri Shivamma Thayee
Sri Shivamma Thayee was born on 29th May 1889 in a village called Vellaikinaru in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. She lived in her ashram in Madivala and blessed the devotees who visited the Sai temple built by her. In her lifetime of 106 years, she was one among the very few who has seen Baba in 1918 just before His Samadhi. We were fortunate enough to have thayee in consecrating the idol of our mandir through her Divine hands, which took place on 28th of August 1990, after it was placed in the sanctum sanctorum on the sacred day of Nagar Panchami on Thursday the 26th of July 1990.
Shivamma Thayee herself presented a very rare photo of Baba on the inaugral day as Her Blessing.
Evening function at Seva Sadan on Inaugration day 27th August 1990, the inaugration was done by the then President Swami Harshananda of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Basavanagudi Bengaluru.
Sri Sai Mandali Today
Today, the Sai Mandir in Malleshwaram is more than just a place of worship; it is a community that embodies the teachings of Sai Baba. The temple’s mission is to promote love, compassion, and selfless service to all beings. The temple’s management and volunteers work tirelessly to create a welcoming and peaceful environment where devotees can connect with their spirituality and experience the divine blessings of Sai Baba.
It was with the divine blessings of Baba, we were able to successfully conduct Platinum Jubilee in the year 2016 on a grand scale.
In conclusion, the Sai Mandir in Malleshwaram has a rich history that dates back to the early 1940s. Over the years, it has grown and evolved into a spiritual haven that attracts devotees from all over the world. With its beautiful architecture, services, events, and social initiatives, the Sai Mandir in Malleshwaram is a unique and special place that embodies the teachings of Sai Baba and functions as a spiritual gym.
Sri Karnataka Rajyotsava Award was conferred to Sri Sai Mandali in the year 2004
With the Visionary Late Sri D.V Murthy was instrumental in forming a Sri Sai Mandali Trust in 2002 to cater to the service activities of the mandali like Anna Brahma, Vidya Sharade, Arogya Lakshmi and other social service projects.