The birth and parentage of Sai Baba are wrapped in mystery. Many authors and scholars conclude from various proofs that Baba was born in 1838 in a Brahmin family at village Pathri in District Parabhani, Maharastra State, India. The Brahmin parents handed over the tender child to the care of a fakir who in turn passed on the young child to a saintly person namely Gopal Rao Deshmukh--an ardent worshipper of Lord Venkateswara. Baba used to refer to him as his Guru "Venkusa." It is also stated that Baba practiced penance at the tomb of his Guru in the cellar under the "Neem" tree at Shirdi.

Baba first came to Shirdi about the year 1854 and lived there for three years. He disappeared from there for sometime and returned to Shirdi with a marriage party in 1858 and lived there for sixty years till his Mahasamadhi in 1918. He lived a simple life in a dilapidated mosque. He never accumulated wealth. He advocated faith in God and tolerance towards all as the basic tenets for religious life. His compassion towards human beings and all creatures is the same. He is above caste, creed and religion.

Impact of the precious immortal teachings, Leelas (Divine experiences) and miracles of Sri Sai Baba were greatly felt by numerous devotees who visited the place. Thus Shirdi has become a veritable place of pilgrimage. To His devotees, Baba has come to stay as the embodiment of Supreme Spirit, Primary Cause of the Universe, Pure Consciousness and God incarnate. Few years before His Mahasamadhi, Baba said that even after his passing away, He would speak from the Samadhi (tomb). This assurance came out absolutely true--Baba seems to be more active now than when He was living. His ways of blessing the devotees are mysterious and inscrutable.