JOIN US Machilipatnam in Krishna district, the port city inhabited by the French, the Dutch and the British, has attracted the spotlight for housing the largest Shirdi Sai Baba statue.
The structure also finds a mention in the Indian Book of Records as the largest statue of Shirdi Sai Baba in the world.
The statue, with a five-head serpent hovering over Sai, has been attracting devotees since the day it was unveiled on October 18, 2007.
On August 25, 2011, the Indian Book of Records recognised the 54 feet by 45 feet structure as the largest statue of Sai.
Manikyala Rao, founder of the temple said the statue, built outside a Sai temple, was funded from the donations given voluntarily by the devotees.
It is unique in being the only temple with a statue of Sai in a standing posture in the sanctum sanctorum. Manikyala Rao said he had tough time erecting the statue as the artisans were reluctant to step on the huge structure.