What's up in Shirdi??

A great chance pounced upon us to have visited Shiridi (the place of Sai Baba).

What's all about Sai Baba. I Suddenly checked the Wikipedia and I found...............

A Great Godman: His greatness consists in drawing many people towards self-realisation or rather to realize that God is great. He was considered a saint. He could be considered a great proponent of interreligious dialogue. One of his well-known saying is - "Sabka Malik Ek" (one God governs all). Wikipedia Describes Sai Baba in the following way: 

Shirdi Sai Baba (Marathi: शिर्डीचे श्री साईबाबा), was an Indian guru, yogi, and fakir who is regarded by his Hindu and Muslim devotees as a saint. Hindu devotees consider him an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Many devotees believe that he was a Sadguru, an enlightened Sufi Pir (Urdu: پیر), or a Qutub.

There is uncertainty regarding his birth. He came to Shirdi (Ahmednagar district). There is also debates over his hindu and muslim origins. Some thoughts that went to my mind while visiting the place were:

Why there is a place for cooking attached to the tomb? I came to know that Sai Baba participated in religious festivals and was in the habit of preparing food for his visitors and distribute to them as prasad.

Why so many people flock to him and believe in his power to bring healing to the people? The people definitely have faith and trust in him and they truly consider him as a Godman. Sai Baba made eleven assurances to people:

1. Whosoever puts their feet on Shirdi soil, their sufferings will come to an end.
2. The wretched and miserable will rise to joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of [the mosque] Dwarakamayi.
3. I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body.
4. My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees.
5. I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb.
6. My mortal remains will speak from my tomb.
7. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me, and who seek refuge in me.
8. If you look at me, I look at you.
9. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it.
10. If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.
11. There shall be no want in the house of my devotee. (taken from Wikipedia)

He was a great ascetic. He continues to attract many followers and pilgrims. I still wonder about the great good that is being established by the Sai movements, The Sai bhaktas... Even I have witnessed a similar thing in the christians in Varanasi, where the non-babtised people who are ardent followers of Jesus are called by the name "Christbhaktaas". Does it have its nominal origin from the term "Saibhaktas"?