Late Shri. Ramachandra Madye Bua was a resident of Kavilgaon. He was an ardent Datta Devotee. He had a dream vision wherein he saw Lord Datta is in Shirdi in the form of Sai. And, this ardent devotee of Datta who was always engrossed in chanting the name of Lord  Shri Grurdev Datta – turned towards Shirdi. He almost lost his consciousness when he had first Darshan of Shri Sai Baba. He had the unique bliss of having met Lord Datta. Sai Baba gave him a One Rupee Coin. He preserved it as a priceless treasure. He took several residents of Kudal with him to Shirdi and gave them the benefit of Sai Baba's Darshan.

Shri Sai Baba took Maha Samadhi on the day of Vijayadashmi on Tuesday, the 15th October 1918. In 1919, Baba’s first Punyatithi (death anniversary) was publicly observed in Kudal besides Shirdi. It was observed at the hands of Madayebua. He utilized the One Rupee given by Baba for the purpose. Thereafter, in 1922, on the fourth Punyatithi of Sai Baba, Madyebua built this first Sai Baba Temple after Baba's Maha Samadhi. He installed a six feet statue of Sai Baba sculpted by Shri Baburao Sarang.

Kudal Sai Baba Mandir - Outer View

Inscription outside the Temple

After Baba’s Mahasamadhi - as per His own wishes – His mortal body was placed in Butti Wada at Shirdi and a tomb was erected over it. A photo frame was positioned there. After 36 years, in 1954, a five and half feet statue, sculpted by Late Shri.Balaji Vasant Talim was installed in Shirdi's Samadhi Mandir. Late Shri Nagesh Atmaram Sawant was actively associated with the installation of the statue. He was also a Managing Trustee of the  Sai Baba Sansthan for a long period of time. In an article, written by him (published in  ‘Shri Saileela’ - Year 7th, Volumes 5-6-7), he has stated about Kudal’s Madye Bua’s Mandir as follows -

"In December 1922, I went to Konkan on vacation. I met Shri Madye Bua in the Shri Sai Darbar established by him. A large and fully asceticism image of Shri Baba has been installed there. Seeing such a brilliant image, who cannot be blessed with heavenly contentment,   My joy knew no bounds. My delight increased many times, as I received a  latest copy of ‘Shri Saileela’ there and avidly read it".

The Kudal Sai Baba Mandir built by Lord Dattatreya's ardent devotee Madye Bua was renovated in 1983 and a new seven and half feet statue sculpted by Shri Sham Sarang, son of Shri Baburao Sarang was installed. The Mandir was managed from 1922 to 1946 by Late Shri.Madye Bua. From 1946 to 1999 by his son Shri Shripad Madye. At present his grandson Shri Rajan Madye is looking after the Mandir.

(Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine September-October 2006, Photo Courtesy: Smt.Shreya Nagaraj, Pune)