Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey

Shirdi Sai Dham was founded on April 10, 2003, by Rajesh and Arun Anand with the mission of spreading the teachings and life of Shirdi Sai Baba, emphasizing his message of universal brotherhood. Since its inception, the founders have organized numerous events to raise funds for the construction of the temple and community center. Their dedication, along with the generous contributions of time, effort, and financial support from devotees, made the temple’s completion possible.

The Anand family’s involvement extends beyond its founders. Their daughters, Dimple and Priyanka Anand, have played a crucial role in shaping Shirdi Sai Dham, making a lasting impact on the temple’s growth. Other family members, including Didar, Sunidh, and young Vivaan, continue to contribute their time and energy to support the temple’s activities.

Over the years, several idols of deities have been added to the temple, including Lord Venkateshwara, the Ram Parivar, Lord Shiva Parivar, Radha Krishna, Lord Hanuman, Durga Maa, and Lord Ayyappa, among others. One of the temple’s most revered idols, Lord Venkateshwara, was donated by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and is known for its divine presence, drawing devotees in search of special blessings.

The temple’s inner sanctum has been beautifully transformed with gold-plated walls and intricate religious motifs, a project spearheaded by the founders and chief trustees, Rajesh and Arun Anand, along with Trustee Venkat Shan and others.

Located on a sprawling 12-acre property, Shirdi Sai Dham features two large halls and hosts a variety of religious services, including Hindu and Vedic Poojas, Ganesh Havan, Baba Aartis, and Lord Venkateshwara Abhishekam and Alankar every Saturday. Additional weekly rituals include Rudra Abhishekam on Mondays, special Navagraha Puja for Lord Shani on Saturdays, and Lord Subramaniam Abhishekam with Hanuman Chalisa recitation on Tuesdays. Devotees gather daily for Baba’s aartis, bhajans, and chanting, while major Hindu festivals such as Guru Purnima are celebrated with great reverence.

Serving as a spiritual cornerstone for the community, the temple welcomes a steady flow of devotees seeking prayer, meditation, and participation in rituals. A team of four priests, fluent in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Nepali ensures that religious ceremonies are performed with authenticity and devotion.