Sri Naga Sai Mandir (Sri Saibaba Temple) — Attraction in West Zone

Sri Naga Sai Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Indian Spiritual Master Shirdi Sai Baba in Coimbatore in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.In 1939, Sn. H.H.B.V. Narasimha Swamiji, sri A.V. K. Chain, Sri. H. Varadaraja Ayyah, along with his brother Sri. C.V. Rajan started the Sai movement in Coimbatore.

The temple was established in 1942. The Institution named for Sri Sai Baba was put up darsana of the Devotees. Swamiji entrusted the center to the care of Sri. A.V. K. Chain. In 1942, the late Sn. C.Varadaraja Ayyah donated around one acre of land on Mettupalayam Road, and Thatched Shed was evicted from the donated land meant to house the Sri Sai Baba Mission- later named Sri Sai Baba Madam. The place was opened for worship to everyone regardless of class, creed, caste or religion. The Sai Baba Madam was the meeting ground of Sai Devotees in and around Coimbatore. Sai Bhajans were held regularly on Sundays and Thursdays.

A marble statue of Shirdi Sai Baba was installed by Sathya Sai Baba (the Indian guru thought to have been the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba himself) on February 26, 1961.[1] This was the first time that Sathya Sai Baba formally installed an idol of Shirdi Sai Baba for daily worship.

The temple is called Naga Sai Mandir after a story told by Shirdi Sai Baba’s followers of a snake, Nãga, that rose from the flowers in the garden to listen to Shirdi Sai when he was giving darshan to devotees before disappearing.

Advent of 'Sri Naga Sai' Historical of the shrine of Sri Naga Sai ( Shirdi Sai As Sri Naga Sai in Coimbatore):

“On the evening of Thursday, January 7, 1943, a miracle happened. A shining and lustrous Cobra, small in size but possessing an unusually large hood with the divine marks of Tripundra, Shanka and Chakra, appeared before Baba’s picture while the Bhajan was playing to the accompaniment of drum cymbals and other instruments with all the lights on. The Naga stood in a pose of worship fully entranced in Baba Music! The waving of lights, and aratis had no effect on the Cobra. People who had formed a crowd of a few hundred, stood there in awe and wonder at the sight of the Naga with its spread hood. There was no fear of the snake; the proverb, “even a battalion of soldiers of valour shiver at the sight of a cobra,” was proven wrong then. Men young and old, women and children began to pour into the spacious land of the Bhajan Madam by the thousands to witness the Naga that lingered in the same spot for 36 Hours. Baba bhaktas began to shower basket after basket of flowers in worshipful reverence of the Naga. The Cobra was nearly submerged in a mound of flowers but even then, he was immobile were performed for the Naga.

Sri Naga Sai Darshan 7th January 1943 On the second day of Naga’s onset, a photographer came to take a photo of the Naga in its majesty but it was submerged under heaps of flowers.[2] No one had the courage to go near the spot where the cobra was lodged and clear away the flowers. The only course open to them was to pray. The Naga jumped out of the heaps of flowers and appeared for the photograph as if in answer to the prayers of the multitude. All who witnessed the sight were sure for the first time that it was on the week of Sai Baba. The devotees then prayed with fervor and faith to the Naga to clear out and enable them to resume their routine worship of Baba in the Madam. Then the immobile Naga showed sign of movement and went around Sri Sai Baba’s picture and slowly slithered out into the open and disappeared into the bushes where later an ant-hill (a snake’s natural...

In the year 1939, Sn. H.H.B.V. Narasimha Swamji along with sri A.V. K. Chari and Sri. C. Varadaraja Ayyah and his brother Sri. C.V. Rajan started the Sai movement in Coimbatore and the first institution of Sri Sai Baba in Tamilnadu (erstwhile madras province) was established in Coimbatore. The Institution was named as Sri Sai Baba was put up for darshan of the Devotees. Swamji entrusted the centre to care of Sri. A.V. K. Chari hate in the year 1942, the late Sn. C. Varadaraja Ayyah donated about one acre of land at Mettupalayam Road and Thatched Shed was evicted at the donated land to house the Sri Sai Baba Mission which was later named as Sri Sai Baba Madam in those days and the place was opened for worship to one and all at all times irrespective of class, creed, caste or religion. The Sai Baba Madam was the metting ground of Sai Devotees in and around the Coimbatore City. Sai Bajans were held regularly on Sunday & Thursday.

In 1943 on the evening of the 7th of January, Guru-vara (Thursday) sacred for worship of Baba, a miracle happened! A shining and lustrous Cobra small in size but possessing an unusually big hoad with divine marks of Tripundra, Shanka and Chakra appeared before Baba’s picture when the Bhajan was going on in full swing to the accompaniment of drum cymbals etc., with all the lights on. The Naga stood there in a pose of worship fullness entranced in Baba Muisc! Waving of lights, aratis etc had no effect on the nerves of the Cobra. People around who had swelled into a crowd of a few hundred stood there in awe and wonder at the wondrous sight of the Naga with spread head. There was no fear for the snake; the proverb that even a battalion of soldiers of valour shiver at the sith of a cobra was falsified young and old, women and children in thousands began to pour into the spacious land of the Bhajan Madam to witness the Naga that lingered in the same spot for 17 hours Baba bhaktas began to shower baskets after baskets of flowers in worshipful reference for the Naga. The Cobra was virtually submerged in a mound of flowers but even then, he was unmobile were performed for the Naga.

On the second day of Naga’s advent, photographer came to take a picture of the Naga in its majesty but the latter was immersed under heaps of flowers. No one had the courage of go near the spot where the cobra ws lodged and clear the flowers. The only course open to them was to pray ho! the Naga jumped out of the flowers heaps and posed for the photograph as if in answer to the prayers of the multitude. One and all were sure for the first time that it was all the week of Sai Baba. The devotees then prayed with fervour and faith to the Naga to clear out and enable them to resort to their routine worship of Baba in the Madam. Then the immobile Naga showed signs of movements went around Sri Sai Baba’s picture and slowly marched out into the open disappeared into bush where later an ani-hill (snake’s natural habitat) appeared. The place where the Naga disappeared in held as a ‘Holy Ground’ by devotees and from that day onwards Shirdi Sai Baba in Coimbatore is worshipped as “Sri Naga Sai”. Advent of ‘Sri Naga Sai’ was published in Holy Book Shri Sai Satcharita Tamil, Chapter 35. The Shirdi Sai Baba ( Sri Naga Sai ) Marble statue of the deity, This is only statue was installed and consecrated in 26-02-1961 by Sri Sathya Sai Baba during his life time.

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Jai Sai Baba! 🙏 Nestled in the heart of Coimbatore's Sai Baba Colony, Sri Naga Sai Mandir stands as a testament to divine serenity and vibrant spirituality. This sacred haven, surrounded by the bustling energy of the city, offers a calming and peaceful retreat for devotees.

The strategic location of the temple in Sai Baba Colony ensures easy accessibility, with dedicated parking spaces for both two and four-wheelers, making it convenient for visitors to immerse themselves in the spiritual ambiance.

What sets Sri Naga Sai Mandir apart is its lively atmosphere, featuring stores, an everyday free food service, and a garden that adds a touch of vibrancy to the surroundings. Thursdays witness a bustling congregation, as devotees gather to pay their respects in this well-maintained and hygienic temple, managed by a dedicated private team.

The temple not only honors Sai Baba but also boasts separate shrines for Ganesha, Muruga, Hanuman, Vishnu, Shiva, and Naga. The presence of the Naga temple, with its fascinating legend of a snake's visit, adds a unique charm to this revered space. The consecration ceremony, a recent event, further enhances the divine aura of Sri Naga Sai Mandir.

Evenings at the temple are a treat for the senses, with soulful bhajans and arathi creating an immersive and spiritually uplifting experience. The divine presence extends to other deities like Muruga, Shiva, Dathathreya, Hanuman, Lakshmi Narayan, and the Navagrahas, offering a comprehensive spiritual journey for devotees.

The temple's infrastructure includes a Bhajan hall, Marriage Hall, Car parking, Paid restrooms, and Pooja material shops, catering to the diverse needs of its visitors. Sri Naga Sai Mandir remains a popular destination for Sai devotees, attracting crowds on Thursdays, weekends, and public holidays.

For those seeking solace in the embrace of spirituality, Sri Naga Sai Mandir is not just a temple; it's a time-honored institution that continues to radiate divinity, making it the best temple in Coimbatore for Sai devotees. Its age-old charm coupled with meticulous maintenance makes it a true sanctuary for...