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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.
Climate :- Winters are the best season to visit the town, the months
from September to April being the ideal period. The daytime temperature is
pleasant during this period making the days excellent for visiting the
tourist attractions of the town. The summers can get very hot causing
unpleasantness. Cotton clothing is apt for summers and light woolens suffice
for the winter season.
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HOW
TO REACH
By 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.
By 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.
By Road :- Shirdi is very well connected by a network of
roads and road transport to all major towns of Maharashtra and
surrounding areas.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to visit Shirdi is October To May.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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'.
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Maruti Temple :- Baba was having a splendid place
in his heart for the Maruti temple. Baba used to regularly visit this
temple.
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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." |
WHERE TO EAT
There are so many good restaurants with different delicacies, and all the
major hotels has their own specialty restaurant and bar.
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