One of the foremost devotees of Shirdi Saibaba will be in Auckland next week to participate in the fructification of a dream project.
Dr Chandra Bhanu Satpathy, former Director General of Police in Uttar Pradesh, will inaugurate the Shirdi Saibaba Temple at 12 Princes Street in Onehunga on February 6 and participate in the associate festivities.
The Temple, owned and managed by Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of New Zealand Inc, is part of a $6 million Complex that includes a Community Centre and a Dining Hall with modern amenities.
Apt Chief Guest
Sansthan President Bhaskar Reddy Duvvuru said that it was appropriate that Dr Sathpathy inaugurated the Temple.
“He has dedicated his life in the service of Shirdi Saibaba and humanity at large. He has been involved in the construction of more than 200 Saibaba Temples in India and other parts of the world. His presence will add to the piety of the inaugural festivities,” he said.
Paying tributes to former Presidents of the Sansthan, especially the late Appayya (Sam) Swaminathan, who passed away in Auckland on June 13, 2013 (Indian Newslink, July 1, 2013) and other office-bearers since the Sansthan began in February 2002, Mr Duvvuru said, “Baba keeps the right person at the right place at the right time.”
Ardent devotee
The visit of Dr Satpathy will promote the Sansthan among a wider network of devotees around the world.
Born in Cuttack (former State Capital of Odisha) in India, he graduated from Delhi University and worked as a lecturer for two years. Joining the Indian Police Service in 1972, he worked in various capacities and locations before retiring as the top policeman of Uttar Pradesh.
A man of lore and letters, Dr Satpathy has written a number of books on Saibaba, spiritualism and other subjects.
