Once Tarkhad family went to Shirdi and had Baba's darshan in the Masjid (Dwarkamai). At that time, Baba told a devotee who was trying to take Baba's photo, "Please go to my Bhau's (Tarkhad’s) place where you will find me alive in the photograph in the Mandir." Tarkdad and his son, Jyotindra were very happy to hear that statement from Baba. As per Baba's declaration, there is no difference between Baba and his photo. People who were unable to visit any Sai Baba temple or Shirdi, can have a photo of Baba, if necessary by download from the internet and pray before Baba's photo as Baba's photo is tantamount to Baba being present in that photo. Any prayer to Baba's photo is the same as prayer offered to Baba Himself. This is a fact which was proved in the case of Appasaheb Kulkarni, Tarkhad family and in several other cases.
To emphasize this aspect, few examples are given below:
When invited, Baba attended Hemandpant's shimaga dinner in the form of his photo, representing Baba’s presence. Once Shama sought Baba's permission to go to Kashi and Prayag, Baba gave permission and also said, "we would be ahead of (you)", conveying that Baba's photo which was hung in the house of a priest in Prayag, represented Baba’s presence there, much before the arrival of Shama in Prayag. All these indicated that keeping a photo of Baba is tantamount to Baba being present there in person. As Baba is all-pervasive and omnipresent, based on the intensity and sincerity of one's devotion, Baba would even appear in one's dream and even otherwise Baba would prove his presence..
Om Sai Ram..