The Journey of Peace

Dallas became the first international stage of Sai Ki Mahima. Thousands witnessed the ceremonial procession of the Peace & Unity Baton at the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW — and the blessing of the site envisioned for the tallest idol of Shirdi Sai Baba in North America.

An evening of Sai Katha was followed by a community conversation on FunAsia Radio. Every moment carried one message: humanity is one; faith unites; love transforms.

Over five days Atlanta hosted Sai Katha at the North America Shirdi Sai Temple, a gathering for elders at Impact Hall, and a historic Maha Shivratri discourse exploring the kinship of Lord Shiva and Sai Baba.

Personal meetings — including a moment of courage with a cancer patient — and conversations with community leaders, among them India’s Consul General, advanced the vision of the Peace Awards and Sai Sarvdharm Sambhav Divas.

At the San Ramon Datta Sai Temple, Madhayan Aarti opened a day of Sai Katha, an interactive Life-Changing Solutions session, and the year’s first Palki Darshan — a procession that turned the temple grounds into a living expression of devotion and unity.

Against one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, the Baton — first lit in Shirdi — was ceremonially illuminated again. Discourses traced the kinship of Sai Baba, Gandhi and Mandela: that humanity rises when division falls. Voices from many traditions blended into a single prayer.

Johannesburg shaped movements. Visits to Gandhi’s South African heritage and a meeting with peace activist Ela Gandhi — granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi — brought two legacies into conversation: Satyagraha and Sai Baba’s universal brotherhood.

In a city shaped by the Indian diaspora and Gandhi’s early years, Sai Katha, healing sessions and a Mahashivratri gathering filled the Durban Hindu Temple. A broadcasting partnership carried bhajans into South African mornings, and a screening of the film Shirdi Sai Baba introduced new audiences to the message.

In August 2025, at a podium that has hosted Nehru, Mandela, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, Aushim Khetarpal launched the Sai Baba Peace Awards with Bart S. Fisher and Dr. Sanjana Jon — turning a spiritual mission into a global institution for peace.

At the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, during the sixtieth anniversary of Nostra Aetate, spiritual leaders and changemakers gathered for unity and human fraternity. The anthem We Are The New World rose across the hall; guided by Cardinal George Koovakad, Pope Leo XIV blessed the delegation and received the Lamp of Light.

In Tirana, Sai Satcharita – The New Testament was presented to Baba Mondi, Spiritual Head of the Bektashi World Order. Two traditions of compassion and coexistence met — a living symbol that the world is one family.

When the light of Sai Baba travels across borders, it carries a message that transcends religions, languages and nations — the message of peace, love and humanity. In Tapah, more than 500 devotees gathered to witness the Sai Baba Peace Torch Ceremony, organised under the aegis of the Shirdi Sai Baba Peace Foundation — a memorable expression of India–Malaysia friendship and spiritual solidarity.

Led by Aushim Khetarpal, Head of the Shirdi Sai Baba Peace Foundation, the chapter brought together diplomatic representation, Malaysian Hindu leadership and devotees. As the torch entered the gathering, devotees came forward to touch and hold it, while others stood with folded hands in prayer — the flame becoming a bridge connecting hearts across cultures and communities.

Aushimji reiterated the Foundation’s universal message: peace does not belong to any one religion, community or nation — it belongs to everyone. Whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Parsi or of any other faith, every individual shares the same identity: that of being human. Sabka Malik Ek.

Following Malaysia, the Peace Torch continues its international journey towards The Hague, Baba Mundi, the Vatican and South Africa, before returning to India for the planned culmination of the initiative.