Sai Baba to get a golden touch

Shirdi: Silver is passé for the throne of Sai Baba and it's confirmed that Sai Baba's throne at Shirdi will be made of gold now.

The Sai Baba Trust says the throne will be made at a cost of Rs 22 crore and will weigh 325 kilograms.

The present silver throne in which Sai Baba is seated, was installed in 2000.

"Devotees have given Rs 55 lakh within 15 days. They want to give money and gold," Chairman of Sai Trust, Jayant says.

Trustees say it will them take six months to install the new throne. The trust has already issued tender notices.

The decision was taken due to repeated demands by the devotees for a golden throne.

"Shirdi will develop after this throne is built. Devotion towards Baba will also double after that," a devotee, Manohar says.

While devotees have already contributed around 90 kilograms of gold, trustees say the rest will be purchased. Devotees say the cost is immaterial because it is a devotional matter.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)