Sri Sathya Sai Inaugurates Naga Sai Mandir at Coimbatore

Saturday, February 25, 1961 to Tuesday, March 07, 1961

Sri Sathya Sai at the Naga Sai Mandir, Coimbatore

On 25th February, 1961, Swami left for Coimbatore along with Sri Kondal Rao and some other devotees. Swami was welcomed at Udumalpet by the representatives of the Naga Sai Mandir of Coimbatore. Swami halted for a short while at Bhavani house, near the Bhavani Sagar Dam. When He subsequently reached Coimbatore, He was taken in procession on a chariot to the Naga Sai Mandir. 

Sri Sathya Sai consecrating the idol of Shirdi Sai at the Naga Sai Temple, Coimbatore

On 26th morning Swami consecrated the marble slab on which the image of Shirdi Sai Baba was to be placed. Swami materialised a gold plate with some mystic symbols and nine gems, and placed them under the slab. He then addressed the devotees for an hour and a half. On the occasion, He said:

"This day deserves to be recorded in letters of gold because of this reason. Moreover, this day is unique because it is rare that an Avatar installs the idol of another. I Myself find it rather amusing. Of course, Rama installed the Shiva Linga at Rameshwaram before He started out for Lanka for the extermination of the evil-doers. Now, there is no question of extermination. My task is Dharma Samsthapanam (establishment of righteousness). And now that I am entering on that Avatar Karya (task of the Incarnation), I too am installing this idol prior to that task.

It is now over 18 years since the Manifestation of Sai as Naga (snake) took place on this spot; but it has taken you all these years to complete the erection of the Mandir and the installation of the Image. Well, the years accumulated to 18 not without reason. It is all in the Plan. Eighteen is a mystic number, having a profound meaning. I find 18 persons in the Mandapa (podium) here; they represent the 18 officiators of the Yajna (Vedic ritual of sacrifice): 6 for the Jagat (world), 6 for Kaala (time), 3 for Manas, Chitta and Buddhi (mind, thought and intellect), the pair that perform the Yajna as the initiated couple, and lastly, Atma, the Witness.


I am installing the Naga Sai in the temple, but that is just a symbolic act. I require that at that very moment, chosen because it is very auspicious, you should install Him in your heart; make Him your Hrudaya-Sthayi!

Sri Sathya Sai taken in a regal procession on an elephant at Udumalpet

Swami proceeded to Udumalpet on the 27th. There, Swami rode through the streets of Udumalpet on a majestically caparisoned elephant flanked on either side by two elephants, granting Darshan to 50,000 people who awaited Him in the hot sun. He stayed there for 3 days.

He also visited Palani, Keeranoor, Amaravati, Ganapatipalayam, Guruvappanaickanoor and Bodhipatti. Swami returned to Coimbatore on 2nd March. Swami proceeded to Cherangode village on the 3rd. After having blessed the villagers, Swami left for Mysore by car on the same day. He reached the city at around 9.30 pm. He resumed His journey on 4th morning and reached Bangalore at around 10 am. Swami returned to Prashanti Nilayam on 7th March.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam Part 1 (1926-1985)