Gratitude is the hallmark of a Sai devotee. As a gesture of gratitude for blessings received from Sai Baba, in 1897, Gopalrao Gund was inspired to start Urus at Shirdi in Baba’s honor. Fifteen years later, the festivities were transformed into Sri Ramanavami since those two occasions coincided around the same time of the year as Sri Ramanavami. Today, Sri Ramanavami is celebrated with gaiety and pomp by Sai devotees all over the world. The festival stands as a testimony to communal harmony as people of different faiths come and participate, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Parsees.

Those who are faithful to Sri Saibaba and have had their lives transformed for good show their gratitude by expressing it in their own way. Many such incidents can be mentioned from Sai Satcharitha such as Shri Sathe’s decision to build a permanent place of residence in Shirdi, Shri Kaka Dixit’s total surrender to Baba, Newaskar’s practice of offering his produce first to Baba. Sapatnekar’s unflinching faith and confidence in Baba’s disposition.

Baba said, “My business is to give blessings”, and he is unequivocal in giving His assurance as “If I don’t take care of my children who else will?” His love and protection of his devotees is unconditional and what a devotee can reciprocate is only to show the gratitude by expressing the love and devotion to Sri Saibaba. Today, there are places of worship and gatherings for Sai devotees all across the world. One such expression of gratitude can be visiting those places of Sai worship and participating in the activities within one’s means. Expression of gratitude makes one experience the happiness more.