🚩 15 October 1918, Vijayadashami. The day Sai Baba left his body and took Mahasamadhi. But the story of Baba’s passing isn’t simply an ending — it’s a story of love, of sacrifice, and of an assurance that Baba is still with us. Drawing from the Shri Sai Satcharitra, here is the full account.
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यात्रा गाइड
पैदल दूरी, दर्शन का समय, कहाँ रुकें, कैसे पहुँचें — हर यात्रा सवाल का जवाब।
In Dwarkamai, Baba kept an old brick that he used to lean on at night while meditating. That brick had been his companion for years. One day, while Baba was away, a young boy accidentally dropped it during cleaning and it broke in two. When Baba returned and saw it, he was visibly saddened and said:
"This is not just a brick — my fortune itself has broken. It has been my companion all my life; with its support I meditated on the Self. It was as dear to me as my own life. Today it has left me."
— Sai Baba, on seeing the broken brick
This was the first sign of Baba’s coming Mahasamadhi.
Baba knew the time was near. He asked Shri Vaze to read the Ramvijay for him — first once, then continuously day and night. For the last two or three days he stopped going out for bhiksha and sat quietly in Dwarkamai. Even so, he kept reassuring his devotees: “Don’t be afraid. Don’t lose heart.”
Two years earlier, Baba had hinted that Tatya Patil would pass away on Vijayadashami 1918. As that day approached, Tatya fell gravely ill — and Baba himself developed a fever. But something else happened: on that day, Tatya recovered suddenly, and Baba seemingly took the death upon himself. The life that was Tatya’s to lose, Baba gave back to his devotee. This is what the love of a guru looks like.
That afternoon during arti, Baba’s face was changing moment by moment — different devotees saw him in different forms: Maruti to one, Vitthal to another, Dattatreya to a third, Ram to one more, and a Christian devotee saw him as Christ. After the arti, Baba sent many devotees home to eat.
When only Lakshmibai Shinde and Bayji remained, Baba reached into his pocket and gave Lakshmibai first ₹5, then ₹4 — nine coins in all. These nine coins were the symbol of navavidha bhakti, the nine forms of devotion — Baba’s last teaching that bhakti and surrender are everything. Lakshmibai had served Baba her whole life; this was her final prasad.
Then Baba quietly said he didn’t feel well here — “Take me to Buti’s stone wada, I will be alright there.” Saying this, Baba leaned against Bayji’s body and drew his last breath. Bhagoji saw the breath had stopped; Nanasaheb poured water into his mouth and cried out, “O Deva!” — Baba opened his eyes for an instant, softly said “Aa”, and gave up the body. The time was around 2:30 PM.
In an instant the whole of Shirdi was in tears. Every house had witnessed some leela of Baba — some collapsed unconscious, others ran through the lanes weeping. Only then did people realise that Baba had taken Tatya’s death upon himself and given Tatya his life back.
After Baba’s passing, the question rose of where his body should be placed. Eventually, by the firm resolve of Ramachandra Patil, it was decided that Baba would be given samadhi in Buti’s wada — the same wada that today is the Samadhi Mandir, where millions of Yatris take darshan every year.
Baba did leave the body, but he had given his word: “I will remain active even after I leave this body. From my samadhi too I will be with you, I will hear your call.” That is why Shirdi is so alive even today — Baba has not gone anywhere, he is right here. This is reflected in his eleven assurances — Baba’s eleven promises the devotees still live by.
If you are planning to take darshan at Baba’s samadhi, stay within walking distance of the temple — TripSaffron has verified hotels in Shirdi with real photos, real distance to the mandir and free cancellation. (Full price + amenities walkthrough: Shirdi budget hotels near the temple.)
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Every year on Vijayadashami, Baba’s Punyatithi (Mahasamadhi Utsav) is observed in Shirdi with great devotion. Om Sai Ram. 🚩
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🙏 May your yatra be blessed. Om Sai Ram.