Location : Maharashtra
Tourist Attractions : Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai,
Gurusthan
Local Tongue : Marathi, Hindi
STD Code : 02423
Best time to Visit : Throughout the year
About Shirdi
The
blissful land of Sai Baba, the Shirdi town is situated in Rahata Tahasil in
Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra. It is 296 Km fro Mumbai and falls on the
Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10 at 83 Km. from Ahmednagar. The town is
popularly known as the abode of guru Shirdi Sai Baba and date backs to the
legend of 19th century. It is an important pilgrimage center of the people
and devotees of different religions hanker after to seek the blessing of Sai
Baba. The Shirdi town gets enlighten with the festivals of Guru Poornima,
Ramnavami and Dussehra. Beside this pilgrims carry out a procession, every
Thursday, wherein a decorated chariot with an image of the saint is brought
out from the temple.
Sai Baba & Pilgrimage to Shirdi
God of millions, Sai Baba was a great saint of ancient India. The name 'Sai
Baba' has been given to the unknown saint by his his Hindu and Muslim
disciples. It is believed that the heavenly soul took birth in the Panthri
village of Maharashtra state in 1838. He was a man of principle and his
whole life went on with the teaching the common path of Hinduism and Islam.
According to him one God governs all( Sabka Malik Ek). He was a strong
opponent of religious orthodoxy and worked a lot for communal harmony. After
spending his childhood days in the company of saints the Panthri village, he
moved on to Shirdi sometime during the year 1858. He had spend the last
years of his life in Shirdi until he attained the mahasamadhi on October 15,
1918. Even after his death, devotees the place is the land of his immortal
soul and makes a religious trip here. With the passage of time more people
visited the pilgrimage place increasing its popularity among all.
Pilgrimage Attractions in Shirdi
Samadhi Mandir
The Samadhi Mandir particularly highlight the mausoleum of Shri Sai Baba. It
is located at the heart of the divine Shirdi village and was constructed by
a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. According to history, the mandir
saw the image make over of Baba as Murlidhar and thus became the Samadhi
Mandir of Baba. The main Samadhi of Baba is built in white marble stones,
ornamented attractive decorations. The first floor of the temple has the
collection of the pictures and articles reflecting the life of the saint. An
assembly hall within the temple complex is so big that it can manage a
gathering of at least 6,000 devotees. The visiting time of the temple lies
between 5am to 10 pm sharp.
Dwarkamai
Situated near the Samadhi temple,Dwarkamai is the holy place where Baba
spent most of his day hours. It is situated on the right side of the
entrance of Samadhi Mandir. The place was well known as the meeting spot of
Baba with the distress people of the area. Here he used to distributed holy
prasadam to the devotees which cure sickness and solve thousand problems.
Dwarkamani has been divided into two level, the former has a portrait of
Baba and a big stone where he used to sit, while the later has a stool made
of stone, where Baba used to take shower. The main attraction of the place
lies in the oil painting, which represents Shri Sai Baba sitting in a carved
wooden shrine. There are also many scenes and collectibles which clearly
depicts the life style of the fakir Sai.
Gurusthan
The term Gurusthan means the place of God. It refers to a neem tree located
in the Shirdi village. It is said that when Baba stepped into the village,
he first sat and medidated under its shade. A small shrine, near the tree
has been set up as a tribute to the fakir (Sai Baba). Since then the place
has caught religious significance and worshipers from all around the world
visit the place every Thursday and Friday, so as to offer prayer at the very
place.
Khandoba Mandir
Dedicated
to Sai Baba, this Khandoba Mandir is among the sacred shrine in the Shirdi
village. It is located near the Sri Sainath hospital and is nearby the
charming Lendi Baug garden of the area. There is a banyan tree near the
temple and history indicates that Baba came along with a marriage party and
he set under a banyan tree. The temple has the sculptured images of
Khandoba, Banai and Mhalsai. Religious saga also included the precious time
when the priest of the temple offered Baba to stay in the temple for
sometime. Visitors can visit the temple anytime between 5 am to 10 pm.
Tourist Services at Shirdi
The tourist department at Shirdi town facilitate the visitors with a range
of free and paid services. Places like the tourist reception center at S.T
bus stand, medical facilities at Sainath hospital run by the Shirdi Sansthan
avail the devotees, the best possible and economic way to any of their
requirements.
Hotels close to Shirdi village
The pilgrimage town of Shirdi is developed with a number of popular hotels
like Hotel Sai Sahavas (3 star equivalent, situated Opp. Gondkar Complex
just 130 km from airport, 19 km from railway station & 1 km from bus
stand), Shraddha Park Inn (3 star, situated on Pimpalwadi Road just 144 km
from airport), Hotel Sai Leela (3 star, situated on Pimpalwadi Road just 16
km from railway station & 0.5 km from bus stand), Sun-N-Sand Hotel (5
star, situated in Kopergaon) and Hotel Goradia's (4 star, situated in
Ahmednagar just 120 km from airport & 60 km from railway
station).Pilgrims can also arrange a comfortable time at the Keshav Mandir,
Mangal Karyalaya, Sai Niwas Guest House, Sai Udyan and Shanti Niwas.
Shirdi Travel (Air/Rail/Road) Information
By Air :The nearest airport to the Shirdi town is located
150 Km away at Aurangabad, Visitors can connect the the pious land through
regularly plying state transport buses and private taxis. A daily flight
between Delhi and Aurangabad departs Delhi at 13:00 and arrives Aurangabad
at 16:40. International visitors can schedule their trip via Mumbai
International Airport in the Maharashtra state of India.
By Rail :Manmad, located 60 Km from Shirdi is the nearest
railhead. A number of trains operate from the station and connects Shirdi
town with other Indian cities . Daily trains between Delhi-Manmad are the
ASR DR Exp, Jhelum Exp, Punjab Mail, MNGLA LKSDP Exp, Karnataka Exp and Goa
Exp. Another convenient railhead is at Kopargaon, 16 km from the town.
By Road :A six hour drive from Mumbai will led you reach
the Shirdi town. Direct buses are also available between Mumbai and Shirdi.
One can also opt to hire a taxis or board a train upto Nasik and can reach
the desired pilgrimage center.
Distance of Shirdi from Major Cities
Mumbai : 296 Km
Aurangabad : 126 Km
Ahmednagar : 97 Km
Nasik : 112 Km
Pune : 183 Km
