Sai Mahabhakta Late Shri.Balaji Bapuji Jagtap was a resident of Shirdi. He was an agriculturist by profession. He was fortunate enough to see the entire life sojourn of Shri Sai Baba from His arrival to Shirdi in 1858 till His Samadhi in 1918.

Balaji Bapuji Jagtap - Old Photograph

He saw on several occasions, Sai Baba pushing the huge stone on which He was standing with a wooden stick in His hands like a ball. Balaji Bapuji Jagtap says in his own words as follows: "Tatya Kote Patil decided to repair the Dwarakamai. All arrangements were made. When Baba went to Lendibaugh, the iron pillar in Sabha Mantap infront of Dwarakamai was being erected. Seeing that, Baba angrily shouted, 'Who put the fire pole infront of my door?'. The next day after Baba went to Lendibaugh, Tatya started the work of erecting another pillar. At that moment, Baba came. Seeing this, He assumed Rudravatar. At that time Baba was fuming with anger and all devotees were scared of this sight. But, Baba calmed down and later felicitated Tatya. After some days, Tatya also renovated the Shani, Mahadev and Ganesh temples in Shirdi. All the wood work was done by 'Tukaram Sutar Bhalerao' family only. Baba's fame spread far and wide and He became very popular in Maharashtra. Many devotees started coming from Mumbai, Pune, Nasik, Ahmednagar, Nagpur etc. Baba's Puja and Aarti were performed and every Thursday Chavadi procession also started. 'Dagdu Bhau Gayke Patil' used to hold lantern in Chavadi utsav. 'Saidubhai Sayyad' used to play Band and Tasha. Devotees began to consider Saibaba as an incarnation of God. There was no cast feeling in Shirdi and people belonging to all casts started worshipping Saibaba. Every one saw their God in Saibaba. Baba used to cook the food in two Handi's. He cooked rice, curries, sweets, chapathi's etc with His own hands and distributed it to devotees. Even I also got that prasad from Baba. One day Baba called me near him and told that a young man should work hard and give all his attention to agriculture. The hard work of agriculture is the real religion. As per my father's advice, I started farming. Day by day agriculture flourished. Both agriculture and cattle farming flourished well".

Balaji Bapuji Jagtap was married to Smt.Thakubai Jagtap. The couple had a son by name Nana Saheb Jagtap who was born in the year 1925.  

Nana Saheb Jagtap- Balaji Bapuji Jagtap's Son

It is worth mentioning here that Balaji Bapuji Jagtap had only one sister namely Ramba Bai Jagtap who got married to Tatya Kote Patil. After her marriage her surname changed as Ramba Bai Kote Patil.

Ramba Bai Tatya Kote Patil - Balaji Bapuji Jagtap's Sister

Balaji Bapuji Jagtap lived a long life of over 100 years and passed away peacefully in 1968. The Samadhi of Balaji Bapuji Jagtap has been made in his descendants home itself in Shirdi.

House under construction where Balaji Bapui Jagtap Samadhi is present

 

Descendant's Home of Balaji Bapuji Jagtap in Shirdi

Later, Balaji Bapuji Jagtap's ancestors performed agricultudre with the help of latest machinery. The family is now doing ideal farming.

The ancestors feel that all this glory and richness is only due to the grace bestowed on their family by Shri Saibaba. Balaji Bapuji Jagtap used to keep the naivedya before partaking food infront of Baba's photo in his home and the same is being followed by his ancestors.

Pooja Room at Descendant's Home of Balaji Bapuji Jagtap

(Information Source: Shri Kshetra Shirdiche mahan Sant Sri Sai Maharaj yanche charitra book. Photo Courtesy: Shri.Pratap Jagtap, Grandson, Shirdi and Shri.Pranav, Sagar Colony, Nirmal District, Telangana)