Devotee Donates Gold Crown Worth ₹1.03 Crore to Shirdi Sai Baba Temple on Guru Purnima

On Guru Purnima, a devotee from Andhra Pradesh made headlines by donating a gold crown valued at ₹1.03 crore to the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. This stunning crown, crafted from 642 grams of gold, features intricate designs representing the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The devotee, Malladi Srinivas Rao, expressed that this offering symbolizes his belief in Sai Baba's embodiment of the nine celestial deities. Rao, a long-time devotee, has a history of generous contributions to the temple's charitable initiatives. This year's Guru Purnima celebrations are expected to draw thousands of devotees to Shirdi, making this donation particularly significant.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 28, 2026, 16:19 IST

Significant Donation on Guru Purnima

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, one of the most important festivals for Sai Baba devotees, a follower from Andhra Pradesh made a remarkable donation of a gold crown valued at ₹1.03 crore to the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. Crafted from 642 grams of gold, this exquisite crown was presented by Malladi Srinivas Rao from Nellore as 'Guru Dakshina' on the first day of the Guru Purnima celebrations. According to the Shri Sai Baba Temple Trust, the intricately designed crown features representations of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, making it a unique offering. Rao expressed that this crown symbolizes his belief that Sai Baba embodies the nine celestial deities of Hindu tradition, known as Navagraha.

A Gesture of Gratitude and Devotion

Rao stated, "I am presenting this Navagraha crown to Baba on Guru Purnima. Its estimated value is around ₹1 crore. Sai Baba himself represents the Navagraha. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to serve and donate, which is why I made this offering." He further elaborated that Sai Baba embodies various divine forms, including those of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Dattatreya, and Goddess Shakti. This donation was described as a symbol of gratitude and devotion. Goraksh Gadilkar, the CEO of the temple trust, thanked the devotee for the generous contribution, noting that Guru Purnima is a special occasion when devotees offer Guru Dakshina to their spiritual guide.

Longtime Devotee with a History of Generosity

Rao has been a devoted follower for many years, visiting Shirdi multiple times annually. He has previously made significant contributions to the temple trust's charitable and social initiatives, including donations for the Sai Baba Hospital and facilities for devotees. This gold crown stands out as one of the most valuable offerings made during this year's Guru Purnima celebrations, which attract thousands of devotees to Shirdi from across the country each year.