Prasanna Shree Saibaba Mandir / Manibhabhumi Dhupkheda, Paithan, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Sai Baba of Shirdi is a revered figure for crores of devotees across the country. Every day, thousands of devotees from all religions visit Shirdi for His darshan. Since many incidents and miracles from Sai Baba’s life took place in Shirdi, it has become a renowned pilgrimage site. However, some events from Sai Baba’s life also occurred in other villages. Dhupkheda in Paithan taluka is one such village. Baba spent the first few years of His life in Dhupkheda. Today, this village is known across the country as the land where Sai Baba first manifested.

There is a tall iron entrance arch on the small road leading to Dhupkheda. A short distance further from there, the Sai Baba temple of the village can be seen. It is said about this temple that it is built on the very spot where Sai Baba used to sleep every night during his stay in Dhupkheda. The temple consists of a main hall (Sabhamandap) and a sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). Near the entrance of the main hall, the Palkhi chariot of Sai is kept, and the Tulsi Vrindavan is also located there. The door frame of the temple is semi-circular at the top. The entire hall is paved with marble flooring. Directly in front is the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Since this sanctum is doorless, one can have a divine glimpse (Darshan) of the marble idol of Sai Baba installed inside from anywhere in the main hall. The Padukas of Sai Baba have also been placed in the sanctum sanctorum.

Beside the sanctum, placed within a glass case against one of the walls, are the stone grinding slab and the clay pipe used by Sai Baba. On one of the walls in the pavilion, a large photograph is displayed, showing some young men performing worship under a tree. In one corner of the image, a large shadow can be seen. It is the firm belief of the villagers that this shadow is that of Sai Baba himself. This photograph was captured on November 20, 2008, at 8:03 in the morning.

On one side outside the temple is the eternal sacred fire (Dhuni) of Sai Baba. This Dhuni, constructed in cement, remains perpetually lit. To the left of the temple is the tomb (Mazar) of Chand Patil, the then village officer of Dhoopkheda and a disciple of Sai Baba. Beside it stands a neem tree. A large portrait of Sai Baba has been placed there, along with a Shiva Linga and an idol of Nandi. The story regarding this tree is that while living in Dhoopkheda, Sai Baba used to sit on a stone beneath this neem tree to meet his devotees. That stone, sanctified by the touch of Sai Baba, has been preserved in a glass case under this tree. Devotees hold a deep faith that the leaves of this neem tree do not taste bitter, but sweet. Additionally, Sai Baba had given a parrot to Chand Patel to keep. The descendants of that parrot still reside on this tree today.

The story regarding this place being the site of Sai Baba’s manifestation is provided in the official Sai Charitra published by the Shirdi Sai Sansthan. The name of this scripture is ‘Shri Sai Satcharitra’, and it was authored by Govind Raghunath Dabholkar. Dabholkar had spent some time in the presence of Sai Baba himself. The account regarding the village of Dhupkheda is narrated in the biography as follows:

‘In the village of Dhupkheda, located in the Aurangabad district, lived a fortunate Muslim man named Chand Patil. While traveling towards Aurangabad, he lost his mare. For two months, there was no trace of her, and he had lost all hope of finding her. The Patil was completely dejected and grieved deeply for his mare. With the saddle still on his back, he turned back along the path. Having left Aurangabad behind, he had traveled about four and a half kos when he came across a mango tree on the way. Beneath it, he saw this gem (Sai Baba). Wearing a cap on his head and a kafni on his body, with a satka under his arm, He was preparing to fill a chillum by crushing tobacco. A miracle occurred at that very spot. Chand Patil, sit for a while under the shade.’ The Fakir asked, “What is this saddle?” The Patil replied, “Sir, the horse is lost.” Then he said, “Go, search in those ravines.” The horse was found immediately. In this way, the meeting between Chand Patil and the young Fakir Sai Baba took place, and it was in that very meeting that he perceived his divine nature.

After this, Patil insisted that Sai Baba come to his home. According to the story, “The next day they went to the village and stayed at Patil’s place. They stayed there for some time and then returned to Shirdi,” they had all set out for Shirdi to perform the wedding of Chand Patil’s nephew to a girl from Shirdi. At that time, at the insistence of Chand Patil, Baba also went to Shirdi. “The wedding took place and the wedding procession returned, but Baba remained behind alone. He stayed and never left; the fortune of Shirdi blossomed.” On this occasion, when this young Fakir first arrived in Shirdi with the wedding procession, he was first spotted by Shri Mhalsapati, the priest of the Khandoba temple. At that moment, he called out, “Ya Sai” (Welcome, Sai). Since then, Baba came to be known as Sai Baba.

This biography does not mention how long Saibaba spent in Dhupkheda. However, according to the villagers of Dhupkheda, Baba stayed here for six to seven years. A Maha Aarti is performed in this temple every Thursday. On this occasion, people from every household in the village and from all castes and religions are present here.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery