Auction of Shirdi Saibaba’s Offerings From Oct. 18

Precious items offered by devotees at the Saibaba temple in Shirdi will be put on auction from Oct. 18, 2012. These include gold and silver crowns, statuettes, garlands, 'padukas' (sandals), necklaces, diamonds and precious stones.

The auction—the third in the last 10 years—will include 32-kg silver offerings, 18-kg gold offerings, 52 precious stones and articles studded with them, a Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST) spokesperson said.

The auction's first phase will start on Oct. 18 (Thursday). The auction will continue for two more Thursdays next month.

The first auction will be for silver items, the second for gold (Nov. 1) and third for precious stones (Nov. 8).

To keep out frivolous bidders, the SSST will ask bidders to deposit a refundable amount of Rs.10,000. Successful bidders will be been given multiple payment options.

The official said all the items have been tested and certified and the quality of the goods was as per lab standards.

Revered by millions worldwide, Saibaba lived in and around Shirdi in Ahmednagar district. He died Oct 15 in 1918.

The SSST, counted among the richest temple trusts in the country, has assets worth above Rs 20 billion, besides daily donations and offerings running up to Rs 12.50 million.