Today I took Baba’s permission during Aarti to pen down my first life changing experience. It goes back to the summer of 2009 when we moved to Fremont from San Jose. My mind was full of confusion and anxiety about our move, whether it was the right one for my family etc.  In the middle of this chaos, I thought of Baba.

We had a Saibaba picture at home, but I didn’t know who He was for the majority of my early growing years. All I knew was that it was eye-catching and drew me towards it. But I was not aware of His stories or leelas at that stage.

I would like to share my experience when I went to Shirdi.....Though I have been Baba's devotee for a long time now, I had never visited Shirdi. My husband surprised me by asking me if I want to visit Shirdi. I was overjoyed and readily agreed. My Shirdi visit was extremely fulfilling.

When I was 9 years old living in Ludhiana (Punjab), I accompanied my grandfather to Shirdi for the first time.  I saw a picture of Baba standing wearing his white robe and instantly felt connected to Him. I enjoyed the darshans at Shirdi and did not want to return to Ludhiana.

A friend asked me if I would perform the Sai Vrat for 9 Thursdays and read the Satcharita which she was distributing as Uddyapan for the same vrat. I did not know much about Shirdi Baba but did not want to refuse a good friend’s request.