SHIRDI

Shirdi is a town in the Ahmednagar district of the state Maharashtra in India. It has acquired fame as a place of pilgrimage because the Shirdi Sai Baba lived there and is buried there. Some Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs consider him a saint with miraculous powers.

Shirdi is basically a religious tourist center. Thousands of pilgrims flock to Shirdi. There are several places of tourist attractions in Shirdi but it is the shrine of Sai Baba that is the hub of activity.

The abode of the great saint of the 20th century Sai Baba who lived in Shirdi for more than 50 years of his life has made this small village in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra a big pilgrimage site for the devotees of the saint from all around the world.

The story of Sai Baba entering this small village is unique enough the way his miracles were. He came to Shirdi along with a marriage party and then stayed back. He was denied entry into a temple by a priest taking him to be a Muslim from his dress. So throughout his life the saint stayed in the Mosque of Shirdi but was a regular visitor of few of the temples in Shirdi. No one ever came to know what his religion was. He believed in God and asked people to keep faith in the almighty. He had miraculous curative powers and advised people of all the faiths, creed and caste to about brother hood, harmony, cleanliness and faith in the almighty.

Due to this people from all castes, creeds and religions come to Shirdi to take the blessings of the great saint. The small place which is barely a 100 km from Nashik today is a bustling pilgrimage centre of India. Nearly every nook and corner of the small village has some affiliation with the great saint. Even today the last few surviving elders of the village vividly recall the miraculous wonders of the sage. Sai Baba left for the heavenly abode in 1918 and his Samadhi is visited by thousands daily.

Getting Around

Air: The nearest airports are Mumbai (260 Kms), Pune (185 Kms) and Aurangabad (125 Kms). Flights for all the major cities in India and abroad can be taken from Mumbai.

Rail: The nearest railway station is Manmad (60 Kms) on the Central Railway which is connected to many parts of the country with Express trains. The nearest railway station is Manmad (60 km) on the Central Railway, which is connected to many parts of the country with express trains. Most of the trains touching Nasik Road railway station also touch Manmad. Shirdi has railway reservation office for trains from Manmad. Taxis and buses are easily available at Manmad railway station for transfer to Shirdi. Regular taxi service also operates between Manmad railway station and bus stand.

Road: Shirdi is very well connected by a network of roads and road transport to all major towns of Maharashtra and surrounding areas.

City Map of Shirdi

ALL LISTING(S) ARE IN ALPHABETIC ORDER Pooja/ Aarti details :

• 5 am- Bhupali
• 5:15 am - Kakkad Aarti
• 6 am - Holy Bath
• 7 am - Darshan begins
• 9 am - Abhishek;
• 8 am/10:30 am/ 1:30 pm - Satyanarayan Pooja
• 12:00 (noon) - Mid Day Aarti
• Sunset - Dhup Aarti
• 10 pm - Shej Aarati

(NOTE: Mandir close after Shej Aarti)

Essential attractions in Shirdi

Shri Saibaba's Samadhi Mandir:

This is the place where sacred body of Baba is resting in Samadhi. Shri Gopalrao Butty of Nagpur constructed this building, This place is also known as 'Butty Wada'. It consists of Shrine and of a beautiful idol of Shri Saibaba. The articles handled by Baba are preserved and displayed here in a special show room. All rituals consisting of Pooja, Abhishek and Daily four Artis are performed here.

Shri Gurusthan Mandir:

This is the place where Baba first appeared to the world as boy of 16 years and this place is supposed to be Baba's Gurusthan. The famous Margosa tree is here which has a reference in “Sai Sat–Charitra”. It is an experience of devotees that there aliments are cured by burning incense hear.

Dwarkamai:

Baba stayed at this place continuously for 60 years. Innumerable devotees got blessings of Shri Saibaba at this place. The Shila on which Baba used to sit is located near by. Also Sacred fire lit by Baba is still kept burning here. Udi distributed to the devotees now is only from this Dhuni. Baba used to prepare food with his own hands here for distribution to devotees.

Chawadi :

On every alternate day Baba used to proceed in procession from Dwarkamai to this place at night and halt and sleep here. Now also on every Thursday Palanquin procession of Baba’s Photo Holy Padukas and Satka is taken to this place.

Lendi Baug :

This is the place where Shri Sai Baba used to go for stroll. Nandadeep is kept constantly burning near the Pimple tree planted by Shri Sai Baba himself. There is also Datta Mandir in this garden and Shri Sai Baba’s beloved horse 'Shamkarna' is taking Eternal rest here. There is also a well here called as 'Baba’s Shivdi'.

Maruti Temple :

Baba was having a splendid place in his heart for the Maruti temple. Baba used to regularly visit this temple.

Shri Khandoba Mandir :

This place is near Shri Sainath Hospital. Baba stepped here in Shirdi at the foot of banyan tree near Khandoba Temple along with Chand Patil’s wife’s Nephew's Marriage party. Pujari Mhalsapati welcomed Him by calling “Aao Sai.”