Sai Mahabhakta Balakrishna Ramachandra Khairikar, was a Vaidic Brahmin who was residing at Khairi village 3 miles off Chitale village.

On 27th July 1936, he narrated in his own words the experiences he had with Shri Sai Baba to Late Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamji as below:

When I first heard about Sai Baba, it was that He was a mad man. That was 35 years ago. But when everybody began to talk of Him and as some of the Brahmins of Shirdi like Appa Kulkarni are connected with me, I went to have darshan of Sai Baba. I was working as a hereditary village officer. The Government dispensed with our services in 1916. During earlier days, people used to visit Shirdi along Chitale, Jalgaon, Rampur, Nathpatlacha, Wadi, Pimpalwadi, Shirdi route. That road not being in use is not to be found now.

I saw Baba using water instead of oil to light the Panthi's (Earthern Lamps). Deshpande Master of Danderpur was often hearing what Baba spoke. But I know nothing of what Baba said.

Once in the year 1908, once when I went to have darshan of Baba, I saw a coin which had fallen on the floor of the Dwarakamai Masjid. I picked it up and gave it to Baba saying "keep this safe. This is your coin". But Baba returned the coin to me saying, "That is all right. Take this coin home. Keep it in your pooja room along with the images that you worship. You will have prosperity". Accordingly, I took the coin and worshipped it. For three years, i.e., till 1911, I had prosperity. But after I started the worship, I save so much from my earnings as Kulkarni that my wife could get gold bangles. Then when I travelled and came under pollution, I delivered my study book (Pothi) along with the coin to a friend and some days later I found that the coin was missing. Thus after 1911, my bad days started. I first lost my wife in six months after loosing the coin. in 1916, I lost my service. In 1917-18, I lost my mother. I am now begging for my food. I have made a point to visit Shirdi during Ramanavami every year.

(Source: Devotees' Experiences of Sri Sai Baba Part I, II and III by Sri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji)