Origins
Baba never talked, nor ever made any fuss about the things which He wanted to accomplish, but He so skillfully arranged the circumstances and surroundings that the people were surprised at the slow but sure results attained. The construction of the Samadhi mandir is an instance in point - Chapter 39. Sri Sai Satcharitra. Sai movement in Minneapolis, MN is another instance of this
observation.
State of Minnesota, with a population of about 5 millions is located in the upper Midwest area of
the USA, 360 miles west of Chicago. Minnesota is home to over 40,000 people of Indian origin,
most of whom live in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, and its suburbs. In the year 2002,
Shri Saibaba's grace and blessings manifested itself as the initiative for celebrating Gurupoornima
by Shri Sai devotees in Minnesota. Following that grand event, the devotees felt a need to have
a place of worship for Shri Saibaba devotees in Minnesota. As a result, Shirdi Saibaba Prayer
Center Inc., was formed as a non-profit organization. In September 2002, an apartment was
rented for the Prayer Center, and a marble idol of Sri Saibaba consecrated by Guruji Shri CB
Satpathy ji in New Delhi and brought to Minneapolis from Chicago, was installed.
The Mandir at Polk St NE, Minneapolis. 2007-2019
In July 2006, the Prayer Center was moved to the present location on Polk St NE, Minneapolis
that was purchased and converted into Saibaba Mandir. This building was originally built as
a Church for Swedish immigrants, and later used as Japanese place of worship for over 70
years. Later, this building served as the Hindu Mandir of Minneapolis for about thirty years
prior to acquisition by Sri Saibaba devotees. Thus, the building has served as a place of
worship of different faiths for over 100 years. Building purchase was complete in July 2006
and a Life size marble idol of Sri Saibaba was received in November 2006. The mandir was
remodeled to have a central pedestal to place Sri Sai and by Jan 2007 the place was ready. In
April 2007, a priest was hired to tend to the deity of Sri Saibaba. With Sri Satpathy ji's
guidance, Sri Saibaba pranapratishta ceremony was performed on September 15, Ganesh
Chaturthi day of 2007.
By Sri Saibaba's grace and blessings, Shri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis has developed into a
thriving place of Sri Sai worship bustling with activities for devotees of Minnesota as well as for
those traveling from neighboring states of Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota. The
Mandir is open everyday for darshan. Regular activities include Shri Saibaba arathis, Sri
Satcharitha parayan, Sai naama jap, Sri Satya vrata, Sai Sahasranama havan, Saibaba satsangs,
bhajans and kirtans.
Sri Saibaba Mandir is a non-profit, non-sectarian, spiritual center incorporated vide Charter
Number 2A-240 and the Chapter under 317 A - Nonprofit Corporation of State of Minnesota. The
organization (TAX-ID: 03-0473843) is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code or by a corporation contributions to which are deductible under
Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. Sri Saibaba Mandir is managed by the Trust
formed by devotees of Minnesota, and a full-time priest, along with the volunteers carry out day
to day activities of the mandir. The mandir has a website www.saibabamn.org and publishes
weekly electronic newsletter, to share Baba's message, devotees' experiences, and other reading
material on Sri Saibaba.
Sri Saibaba mandir also participates in the community events very actively. Volunteers participate
in feeding programs such as 'Meals on Wheels', Salvation Army, Feed My Hungry Children, Adopt
a Family program for needy children in Minnesota, Donation of winter clothing to needy children
of Minnesota, Hunger Relief program of Heartland second Harvest of Minnesota, and feeding
programs in various parts of India. Notable contributions in the past years include donations to
Indian Prime Minister's fund for Tsunami victims in 2005, 'Save a Child's Heart by Apollo Hospital
and Deccan Chronicle in 2005, and to Red Cross for earth quake victims of Haiti. Our activities
during Mahasamadhi centenary year include Donation of Winter Clothing to school children,
donations to food basket program, and food packing at Feed My Starving Children organization.
Over the past years, artists that visited Minneapolis and performed Sai bhajans include Sri Ajit
Kadkade, Sri Manhar Udhas, Smt. Mangala Apte, and Sri Shiva Chandra, who performed Sri
Saibaba Nritya Arathi in 2009.
Our beloved Guruji Sri C.B. Satpathy ji visited Sri Saibaba mandir in 2010. During his visit, a new
pedestal to host Sri Saibaba's murthy in the Chavadi, was ceremonially installed. An international
video conference, where Guruji addressed the Sai devotees was hosted as well.
Land Consecration Ceremony of New Saibaba Mandir at Chaska, MN 2015
Towards meeting the needs of growing number of devotees, Sri Saibaba Mandir explored options
to expand the existing building and the adjoining lot. Based on discussions with the architects and
engineering professionals, constructing a larger building for Saibaba Mandir was identified as the
best solution that meets all needs of the devotees. In 2014 Sri Saibaba Mandir acquired a 42-acre
land in the city of Chaska, near Minneapolis.
The long cherished wish of Sai devotees of Minnesota was fulfilled over the July 4
th weekend, as Guruji Satpathy ji visited Minneapolis to perform the land consecration ceremony at the new Saibaba Mandir
site in Chaska, MN.
On Friday, July 3rd 2015 Guruji visited Sri Saibaba Mandir, had Baba's darshan and spoke to the
devotees. He gave practical suggestions on the role and conduct of those involving in Sai activities and
Sai mandir upkeep. After offering Shej Arathi, Guruji had his dinner with devotees including those who
visited from India, UK, Germany, New Zealand and other parts of USA including Chicago, Dallas, New
York, and Seattle.
On the morning of Saturday July 4th, Minnesota Sai devotee community in the august presence of Guruji
Sri Chandra Bhanu Satpathy ji, participated in the Land Consecration ceremony at the land acquired in
April of 2014, in Chaska, in southwest suburb of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The land
consecration ceremony had over 300 devotees in attendance which included those locally within twin
cities, international attendees from India, New Zealand, UK, Germany and devotees from Chicago,
Dallas, New York, and Seattle. At 11 am Guruji Satpathy ji performed the land consecration ceremony
with due rituals. After the ceremony, Guruji spoke to the attendees. The morning session concluded
with the serving of the Saibaba Prasad lunch to everyone.
In the evening Guruji , participated in the program 'Connect Together - An Evening in Sai Consciousness
with Guruji CB Satpathy ji' conducted at Nath auditorium in the Hindu Mandir of MN, Maple Grove, MN.
Program started with an introduction of Guruji to the audience, a replay of the momentous occasion of
beloved Guruji offering prayer as chaplain at the United States Congress in Washington, DC on June 24,
2015, followed by Guruji lighting the ceremonial lamp. Then students of Sujatha Akurati of Minneapolis
performed Kuchipudi dance ballet on Saibaba's aratis that enthralled the audience. Later Dr. Pooja
Goswami Pavan of Minneapolis, with the accompanying artists, sang soulful Sufi and Kabir songs which
had the audience completely immersed in the serenity of the Master's presence making the atmosphere
divinely blissful. Guruji then felicitated the young children and the artists who performed at the event.
The evening was also sacredly marked by the International release of books authored by Guruji, with Dr.
Raghunath Reddy, Shirdi Sai Kalyanam Trust, Tirupati, India, introducing the books to the audience and
sharing his memories of Guruji's grace in bringing out the books in print in Telugu. On this occasion, Sri
Guru Bhagavatam (Telugu - Vol 1, 2, 3), Sai Sakam (Telugu edition of Age of Shirdi Sai), Sri Guru Bhagavat
(English - Vol 5), and the Telugu Audio CD of Sri Guru Bhagavatam were released.
Dr. Shashikant Sane, the founding member of the Hindu Mandir MN as honorary recipient received the
books released by Guruji.
Guruji then addressed the audience on the universal love of Baba,
breaking barriers for a harmonious living, and the simple life one can
lead in Baba's grace, loving and serving one another. The evening
program ended with arati to Baba and the serving of prasad prepared by
Sri Saibaba Mandir volunteers. The event was made available to
worldwide audience through Livestream.
Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minnesota is thankful to Guruji Shri C.B. Satpathy ji
for visiting Minnesota and guiding the devotees in the construction of
the new Saibaba mandir in Chaska MN.
New Mandir Building construction 2015-19
The 42-acre land in Chaska is a lush, green, slopy landscape with a mound at the top that is second highest
in mostly prairie county of Carver. The land preparations for building commenced in Fall 2015, and a 700
feet road was built leading to the mandir building site.
After obtaining necessary permits from Carver County, MN, the construction of the main mandir
commenced on Sri Saibaba's 100 th Mahasamadhi day which fell on Vijayadasami day, October 15, 2018.
This phase of construction included building of a 10,000 sft, 2 level facility to have Sri Saibaba's worship
hall on the main level and kitchen and dining area in the ground floor, and installation of necessary
utilities, limited landscaping and parking. The Engineering and architectural services for the construction
was provided by Palaniswami Associates Inc., and Auromira Architects LLC, and the building built by Da
Vinci Design Built LLC. By Sri Sai's grace and blessings, the building received the Occupancy Certificate from the City of Chaska in
September 2019.
New Mandir Inauguration