Editing Sai Baba of Shirdi (section)

===Return to Shirdi===

[[File:Shirdi Sai Baba 2.jpg|thumb|left|Sai Baba in his usual attire]]

Around this time Sai Baba adopted the practice of dressing in a knee-length one-piece [[Kaftan|''kafni'' robe]] and a cloth cap, articles of typical Sufi clothing. Ramgir Bua, a devotee, testified that Sai Baba was dressed like an athlete and sported 'long hair flowing down to the end of his spine' when he arrived in Shirdi, and that he never had his head shaved. It was only after Baba forfeited a wrestling match with one Mohiddin Tamboli that he took up the ''kafni'' and cloth cap.<ref>{{cite book | last = Warren | first = Marianne | title = Unravelling the Enigma: Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light of Sufism | publisher = [[Sterling Publishing|Sterling Publishers]] | year= 1997 | page = 104 | isbn = 81-207-2147-0}}</ref> This attire contributed to Baba's identification as a Muslim fakir and was one reason for the initial hostility toward him in a predominantly Hindu village.<ref name="Rigopoulos1993" />

For four to five years, Baba lived under a neem tree, and undertook long periods of meditation. His manner was said to be withdrawn and uncommunicative, and he often wandered for long periods in the jungle around Shirdi.<ref>{{cite book | last = Warren | first = Marianne | title = Unravelling the Enigma: Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light of Sufism | publisher = [[Sterling Publishing|Sterling Publishers]] | year = 1997 | page = 45 | isbn = 81-207-2147-0}}</ref> He was eventually persuaded to take up residence in an old and dilapidated [[mosque]], where he lived a solitary life, surviving by begging for [[alms]] and receiving itinerant Hindu or Muslim visitors. In the mosque, he maintained a sacred fire (''[[dhuni]]''), and gave sacred ash ('Udi') from the fire to guests on their departure. The ash was believed to have healing and [[Apotropaism|apotropaic]] powers. He performed the function of a local [[Hakim (title)|hakim]] and treated the sick by application of ashes. He delivered spiritual teachings to his visitors, and recommended the reading of the [[Ramayana]] and [[Bhagavat Gita]] for Hindus and the [[Qur'an]] for Muslims. He insisted on the indispensability of the unbroken remembrance of God's name (''[[dhikr]]''), and often expressed himself in a cryptic manner with the use of [[parable]]s, [[symbol]]s, and [[allegory|allegories]].<ref name="Rigopoulos1993"/>{{rp|86}}

Baba is believed to have tended a garden called Lendi Baug, named after a riverlet called Lendi which flowed nearby.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lendi baug |url=http://www.shirdisaitemple.com/shirdi-article/id/89/lendi-baug |website=www.shirdisaitemple.com |publisher=Shirdi Sai Baba Temple (official website) |access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> The garden still exists; it contains temples ([[Samadhi (shrine)|''samadhis'']]) commemorating people and animals associated with Baba's life, and continues to be visited by pilgrims.<ref>{{cite book | last = Chitluri | first = Vinny | title = Baba's Gurukul: SHIRDI | publisher = [[Sterling Publishers]] Pvt. Ltd | year = 2011 | page = 176 | isbn =  9788120790186}}</ref>

Some of Shirdi Sai Baba's disciples became well-known spiritual figures and saints, most notably Mahalsapati, a priest of the [[Khandoba]] temple in Shirdi, and [[Upasani Baba Maharaj]], who himself became the teacher of [[Meher Baba]]. He was revered by other saints as well, such as Bidkar Maharaj, [[Gagangiri Maharaj]], Janakidas Maharaj and Sati Godavari Mataji.<ref>Ruhela, S. P. (ed), ''Truth in Controversies about Sri Shirdi Sai Baba'', Faridabad, Indian Publishers Distributors, 2000. {{ISBN|81-7341-121-2}}</ref><ref name="Dabholkar, Govind Raghunath 1999">Dabholkar, Govind Raghunath, ''Shri Sai Satcharita: the life and teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba'' (1999)</ref> Sai Baba referred to several saints as 'my brothers', especially the disciples of [[Swami Samarth Maharaj|Swami Samartha of Akkalkot]].<ref name="Dabholkar, Govind Raghunath 1999" />

In 1910, Shirdi Sai Baba's fame began to spread in [[Mumbai]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=06gFzl76nK8C&pg=RA2-PA1910|title=The Eternal Sai Phenomenon|last=Nanda|first=A. R.|date=2011-04-08|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=9788120790247|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303194030/https://books.google.com/books?id=06gFzl76nK8C&pg=RA2-PA1910|archive-date=3 March 2018}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.shreeomsainath.com/worship&devotes.html|title=Worship & Devotes|website=www.shreeomsainath.com|access-date=2017-03-13|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303194032/http://www.shreeomsainath.com/worship%26devotes.html|archive-date=3 March 2018}}</ref> Being regarded as a saint with the power of performing miracles, and even as an [[avatar]], numerous people came to visit him.<ref>{{cite book | last = Warren | first = Marianne | title = Unravelling the Enigma: Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light of Sufism | publisher = [[Sterling Publishing|Sterling Publishers]] | year= 1997 | pages = 340–341 | isbn = 81-207-2147-0}}</ref> They built his first temple at [[Bhivpuri]], [[Karjat]].<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100501002144/http://www.saiananta.com/bhivpuri.html Sai Ananta – Kaka Saheb Dixit Trust of Shri Sai Baba]}}. saiananta.com</ref>