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AN OVERVIEW
Sai Samsthan USA, a
not-for-profit organization was formed and incorporated in the State of
Illinois on February 25, 1997. In July 1997, the Internal Revenue Service
issued a determination letter that recognized the organization as exempt
from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
Sai Samsthan USA is organized
exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes.
The primary objective of Sai Samsthan USA is to establish Shri Shirdi Sai
Baba Mandir in the metropolitan Chicago and facilitate worship services
similar to Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir in Shirdi, India. Other objectives of
the organization include charitable activities such as medical aid to the
indigent, relief to people affected by natural calamities, organize shelters
to the homeless, feeding of the destitute (annadaana); translate,
print, publish or distribute books, periodicals and literatures to promote
the goals and objectives of the organization; to promote Baba's philosophy,
sponsor or support religious, spiritual, cultural, educational or charitable
activities or organizations in the United States or abroad.
Sai Samsthan USA has been
organizing worship services since its inception. A special worship service
on every Thursday evening include Samoohika Vishnu Sahasra Nama Parayan,
Shri Sai Ashtothara, Bhajans, and Shej Arati followed by Mahaprasad.
In addition, all major religious functions such as Ram Navmi, Guru
Purnima, Gokul Ashtami, Maha Shivaratri, Baba's Maha Samadhi Day and Datta
Jayanti are celebrated with utmost devotion. As the demand for these
services increased with enthusiastic participation of ever increasing number
of devotees, the organization deemed it necessary to obtain services of a
full time priest. With the Grace of Baba, we were successful to bring Shri
Krishna Sulakhe belonging to the same family as that of the Head Priest in
Shri Sai Baba Mandir, Shirdi, India as our priest. He has been providing
worship services in the tradition of Shri Sai Baba Mandir in Shirdi.
Sai Samsthan USA has been
tirelessly engaged to find a place of its own to establish Sai Mandir. With
the Grace of Baba, we were able to purchase approximately 5.5 acres of land
in Aurora, Illinois and inaugurate Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Chicago on
December 19, 2002 that happened to be a Thursday, Shri Datta Jayanti Day and
a full moon day, a combination that occurs only once in 62 years. Daily
worship services and four Aratis are performed at this location. We
plan to build a new Mandir, a multi-purpose hall, kitchen and expanded
parking in 2003.
The long term plans of Sai
Samsthan USA include development of its picturesque 13.2 acres in Lemont,
Illinois with another Mandir, staff quarters and retreat facilities for
devotees not only to have daily worship services but also spend a day or two
or more in quiet solitude and meditation or in the study of scriptures.
Last but not the least, Sai
Samsthan USA organizes SHIRDI SAI MAHOTSAV, an International
Congregation of Sai Devotees every year during the Labor Day week-end. The
next Mahotsav will be on August 30-31, 2003. Please find the details of
daily worship services and other special events on our web site www.saisamsthanusa.org.
We welcome all of you to participate and make the Mahotsav a grand
success.
Management,
Shri Shirdi Saibaba Mandir Chicago
Sai Samsthan USA
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