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New Delhi: A devotee from Andhra Pradesh donated a gold crown worth Rs 1.03 crore to the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple on the occasion of Guru Purnima one of the most important festivals for Sai Baba devotees. The crown weighs 642 grams and was offered as Guru Dakshina by Malladi Srinivasa Rao from Nellore. He presented the crown on the first day of the Guru Purnima celebrations at the temple.

According to the Shri Sai Baba Temple Trust,the specially designed crown has carvings of the Dashavatara which represent the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu making it a unique offering. Speaking to India Today TV Malladi Srinivasa Rao said the idea behind the crown came from his belief that Sai Baba represents the Navgraha or the nine celestial deities in Hindu tradition.

Speaking about the donation Malladi Srinivasa Rao said he offered the Navgraha crown to Sai Baba on the occasion of Guru Purnima. He said the crown is worth around Rs 1 crore and believes that Sai Baba represents the Navgraha. He added that he felt fortunate to get the opportunity to serve Baba through this offering.

Rao also said that Sai Baba represents many divine forms including Lord Vishnu Lord Shiva Lord Brahma Dattatreya and Mother Shakti. He described the donation as a way of expressing his gratitude and devotion. Shri Sai Baba Temple Trust Chief Executive Officer Goraksha Gadilkar thanked the devotee for the offering. He said Guru Purnima is a special occasion when devotees present Guru Dakshina to Sai Baba whom they consider their spiritual guide.

Gadilkar also said Rao has been visiting Shirdi for many years and comes to the temple several times every year. He added that Rao has earlier made generous contributions to the temple trust including donations for the Sai Baba hospital and facilities for devotees.

The gold crown is one of the most valuable offerings received by the temple during this year’s Guru Purnima celebrations which attract thousands of devotees from across the country every year.

(Curated by: Amber Rashid Shah)