Since 2009 January, we have the Idol of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba gracing us. To get to Calgary, it was a long process.
Here is the story of the Idols’s arrival to Calgary.
It was in mid 2007, Amma Anagha Devi, through her divine grace and ways, indicated to us that we have to procure idols of Sadgurus of Lord Dattatreya lineage within a certain period of time.
Following the instructions of Amma, we identified various sculptures for various types of idols. For Shirdi Sai Baba’s idol in marble stone, Rajiv Talim (the grandson of Sri BV Talim, who sculpted the statue in Shirdi), Mumbai was selected.
Negotiations for Idol quality, price and delivery period were concluded in August / September 2007. Order was placed and advances released in October / Novemeber 2007. Funds required to procure the idols were raised through donations by devotees in Canada, India and USA.
Procurement of suitable marble block took some time. Finally a marble block from Makarana, Rajasthan was obtained and carving was started in March / April 2008.
It took about 6 months to complete the carving of idol. In the month of November 2008, the idol was prepared for shipment to Calgary. As his customary practice, Rajiv took the idol to Shirdi for inaugural prayers before shipping. Idol sailed for Calgary on 6 December 2008 and reached Sri Anagha Datta Temple on 21 January 2009.
Marble as obtained
Idol in making
Before Shipment at Rajiv’s studio
Unloading the Idol at Anagha Datta Temple
Moving the Idol to Anagha Datta Temple
Idol unpacked in Anagha Datta Temple
Baba at Anagha Datta Temple