Finland
Sai Movement in Finland-An Overview
T
he metropolitan region of Finland has many Indians from different parts of the Indian subcontinent, who are Shirdi Sai devotees, that worship Sai Baba privately at their homes. Many of these always wished that there is some Hindu temple where Baba is also worshipped. But, there was never any. Abhijit Narayan (from Germany), in his endeavor to spread the teachings of Sai Baba in Europe had been contacting interested Sai devotees in different countries of Europe through some Facebook groups that were dedicated to Shirdi Sai Baba.
It was on one such auspicious day, April 18, 2015, that the first Sai Sandhya in Finland was organized. It took 2-3 months of efforts for contacting interested devotees, planning the day, and executing it. It was organized at Priya Bhaskar’s home in Myyrmaki, Vantaa. A big portrait of Sai Baba along with other Sai idols were beautifully decorated and worshipped that day. Over 60 people had attended the event from different parts of the metropolitan city that day, most of them with just one-day advertisement on the social media. The first Sai Sandhya event was spent with introducing everyone, some bhajans, experience sharing, aarthi and prasad. A plan was made to continue having such events every month.
Blessed are the devotees who put efforts in organizing Sai Sandhya every month. It has been 3.5 years now and Sai Sandhya is held every month in Finland, with a large group of people. Gurupurnima and Dussehra events are celebrated on a grand scale every year with various cultural programs, with an audience of over 150 people.
With the increased number of devotees, the wish for having a Sai temple in Finland has been in the discussions among many devotees. The search for an appropriate place had begun but with no success.
I
n June 2017, Dr. Chandra Bhanu Satpathy (Guruji), a noted scholar, spiritual leader, who explained the Guru-disciple tradition and relationship through his treatise ‘Guru Bhagwat’, blessed the Sai devotees of Finland by his gracious presence at an event that was organized to felicitate Him. The event consisted of many cultural programs like singing, dances, drama. Guruji also gave his precious spiritual discourse. He also mentioned that it was he who had sent his disciple Abhijit Narayan to spread Shirdi Sai teachings in Europe, by gathering groups of devotees.
People expressed their wish to have a Sai temple and Guruji assured them it would happen soon. He told them not to worry about the place or funds, that it would happen by a mystical & spiritual force, and also that Shri Sai decides it when it will happen.
People kept faith in Shri Sai and Guruji’s words and YES, Sai Dham in Finland is now in the Leppavaara region. It was within only 3-4 months’ after the visit of Guruji in Finland, that the Sai devotees found a place and many came forward for volunteering for funds and other help to keep the place running. The first pooja was held at Sai Dham on 24 September 2017, that was attended by over 100 people, who came at a short notice.
In 2017, Dussehra was celebrated on a grand scale at Sai Dham starting at 6am with the kakad aarthi and performing all the four aarthis of Sai Baba with other pooja & bhajans were carried out the whole day.
People expressed their wish to have all four aarthis performed every day. A volunteer group was formed that consists of 15-20 family that take turns to perform whatever aarthi they could do, at Sai Dham. Till day, this group continues to render their devotion to Sai by performing the aarthis.
Centenary Celebrations
The 100th Mahasamadhi event of Shirdi Sai Baba was also celebrated on a magnificent scale by the devotees and volunteers at the Espoo International School auditorium on October 20, 2018. The program consisted of fancy dress show of kids (in various Gods & Goddesses attires), skit/drama on Sai life history by kids and adults, various dances & singing performances.
Shri Sai has showered His grace on the Sai devotees of Finland. Most of the devotees expressed themselves that they started to feel better in their personal, professional & social lives with the formation of Sai Parivaar group and regularly attending the events to take His blessings.
-Article Contributed by Ms.RojaRamani Molupoju