Mother Shivamma Tai

February 10, 1989, is a red letter day for not only Bangaloreans but to all Sai devotees all over India and abroad. For the first time, a unique temple has been established on this day wherein we find it 'Bhikshatana Moorthy' of Sai Baba - the marble idol is in the form of Sai Baba going for alms. The spirit behind this installation of 'Bhikshatana Moorthy' of Sai Baba is holy mother Shivamma Tai, the 99-year old woman saint living in Madiwala of Bangalore, who had the rare privilege of seeing Sai Baba in 1918. In no other Sai temple all over the world you see the Moorthy in this manner.

Mother Shivamma Tai with Bhikshatana Moorthy

As holy mother Shivamma Tai performed the installation of Sai Baba's 'Bhikshatana Moorthy', hundreds offered their 'Bhakti' as alms. Swami Brahmananda of Chinmaya Mission, Bangalore, and Swami Vidya Narayana Thirtha of Dwaraka Badrikashram gave the benediction address. Mr. R. Seshadri and Dr. P. S. Narayana Rao of Sri Sai Spiritual Centre addre­ssed the gathering as to the uniqueness of this Sai temple. A melodious bhajan by Shri Hariharan was organized by the Sai bandhus of Ulsoor Sai Mandir, led by Mrs. Vimala Rai.

Mother Shivamma Tai honored Saint Bhagawan Das and Mr. Krishnappa along with other Sai devotees who were responsible for the installation of this unique Moorthy.

It is hoped that Sai devotees will make it a point to visit Shivamma Tai's Ashram to offer the 'Bhiksha' of 'Bhakthi' to Sai Maharaj.

On March, 16 at 7-30 a.m. holy mother Shivamma Thai (99 years old woman saint living in the outskirts of

Bangalore, Madiwala, who had seen Sai Baba in 1918) inaugurated the Saptaha by lighting a lamp. As she

fit the lamp, Sai Baba nodded his assent and exhibited His omnipresence as the garland placed on the

photograph snapped in the centre.