New two-storey complex at Sai temple to have seating arrangements for 10k devotees

Nashik: Over 10,000 seats, 16,000 lockers to keep belongings, 11 lifts, ramps for specially-abled and over 150 CCTVs are some of the main features of the new two-storeyed air-conditioned darshan complex that Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST), Shirdi, has come up with for the benefit of the Sai devotees at a cost of over Rs 109 crore.The project is in the final stages of completion and would be ready soon. It will most likely be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi though the dates are yet to be finalised.“The project will ensure seamless darshan of lakhs of Sai devotees that visit the temple round the year. They can remain seated at the darshan hall while waiting for their turns to have darshan of Saibaba,” said that SSST’s acting CEO Rahul Jadhav.The new hall has come up at the premises of the old Prasadalaya in an area involving over 26,100 lakh square feet. This hall is joined to the main temple complex for devotees to walk from the new hall to the main area where Sai idol is placed. Provisions have also been made to treat devotees who feel unwell.“There are a dozen halls in the new darshan complex. Four of these halls will be for the devotees who want paid darshan. The remaining ones are for devotees who want free darshan,” said the SSST’s deputy chief engineer Dinkar Desai, who is in-charge of the project.The existing hall, which is at the main temple complex, can accommodate around 4,000-5,000 devotees at a time. There are not enough seats in the hall and a sizeable number of devotees have to stand in queue for darshan.According to Desai, lockers will enable the devotees to keep their mobile phones, bags and shoes/slippers there. Bagging scanning machines will also be installed at the new complex.“There will be 48 counters at the new complex to provide biometric passes to devotees and 10 counters each to distribute ladoos (sweet) and udi (sacred ash). There will also be a coffee/tea centre and book stall at the complex for the devotees,” added Desai.
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