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SHIRDI
A small village in
Ahmednagar district, Shirdi has become famous all over India on account of its association
with the renowned Saint Shri Sai Baba. Pilgrims belonging to all faiths, throng here all
the year around.
AREA: 1.3 Sq. km.
BEST SEASON :
Throughout the year.
STD CODE: 02423
REACHING SHIRDI
The nearest airport is Aurangabad
(144 Km/90 mile) which is connected by Indian Airlines and private airlines with other cities /
towns. The convinent rail heads are Nasik(123 Km/76 mile) and Manmad (60 Km/37 mile).
Shirdi is well connected by Road with Mumbai via Nashik-Sinnar and Manmad. You can
get the taxis from Dadar-Mumbai(Journey Time-7 hours) up to Shirdi or you can get
the Luxury Coach for Shirdi or take a train up to Nasik and take a taxi for Shirdi.
ROAD DISTANCES:
| Shirdi-Mumbai |
302 Km |
187 mile |
| Shirdi-Aurangabad |
144 Km |
90 mile |
| Shirdi-Manmad |
60 Km |
37 mile |
| Shirdi-Pune |
205 Km |
127 mile |
| Shirdi-Nashik |
123 Km |
76 mile |
IN AND AROUND SHIRDI TEMPLE:
Samadhi Mandir: The
Mandir is built with stones and Baba's Samadhi is built with white marble stones. A railing is
built in marble around the Samadhi and is full of ornamental decorations. In front of the
Samadhi are two silver pillars full of decorative designs. Just behind the Samadhi is Sai
Baba's marvelous statue made of Italian marble which shows him seated on a throne. This
idol was made by late Balaji Vasant. The routine of the temple starts at 5 o'clock in the
morning with Bhoopali, a morning song, and closes at 10 o'clock in the night after
Shejarati is sung. Only on three occasions the temple is kept open overnight. ie. On
Gurupoornima, Dassera, and Ramnavami. Every Thursday and on each festival, a palkhi with
Baba's photo is taken out from the temple.
Dwarkamai: Shri Sai
Baba came to Shirdi with a marriage procession. He stayed at Dwarkamai till very end of
his life. Dwarkamai is situated on the right side of the entrance of Samadhi Mandir. Here
he solved problems of the people, cured their sickness and worries. Before Baba's arrival
in Shirdi, Dwarkamai was an old mosque in a dilapidated condition. Baba turned it into
Dwarkamai and proved that God is one.
Gurusthan: Sai Baba
first came to Shirdi in the form of Bal Yogi - a child ascetic. He was first spotted seated under
a Neem tree. This place came to be known as Gurusthan. The renovation of Gurusthan
was made on 30th September, 1941. The present temple was built after this period. There is
a small shrine in Gurusthan. On a elevated platform of this shrine a big portrait of Baba
is placed. On the side is a marble statue of Baba. In front of the portrait is a Shivling
and the Nandi. Photos of twelve Jyotirlingas are kept in the temple. The branches of the
Neem tree have come out through the roof of the temple.
At a short distance lies Baba's
CHAVADI. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two
parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a
white belonging to him.
Lendi Baug: At some
distance from Gurustahan there is a Lendi Baug. This Baug was made and watered daily by
Baba himself. It got its name a Nalla (a drain) which used to previously flow there. Baba
used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a Neem Tree.
Khandoba Mandir: This
temple is situated on the main road. In front of this temple Baba was welcomed by Poojar
Mhalsapti, of this temple, Saying "Aao Sai", when Baba stepped in Shirdi. In
this temple there are icons of Khandoba, Banai and Mhalsai.
Daily Programmes:
| Kakad Arati |
5.15 a.m. |
| Holy Bath of Shri Sai Baba |
6.00 a.m. |
| Darshan Begins |
7.00 a.m. |
| Satyanarayana Pooja |
9.00 a.m. |
| Abhishek |
9.00 a.m. |
| Noon Arati |
12.00 noon |
| Pravachan or Pujan |
4.00 p.m. |
| Dhuparati |
Sunset |
| Bhajan, Keertan |
9.00 p.m. |
| Shejarati |
10.00 p.m. |
Facilities and
Services at Shirdi for Tourists:
- Reception centres at the S.T. Bus stand.
- Medical facilities at well-equipped
Sainath Hospital run by the Shirdi Sansthan.
- Accommodation of the Sai Baba
Sansthan-Bhakti Niwas, Keshav Mandir, Mangal Karyalaya, Sai Nath Chhaya, Sai Niwas Guest
House, Sai Prasad, Sai Udyan, Samadhi Mandir, Sevadham, Shanti Niwas.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES:
- Executive Officer, Shri Sai Baba
Sansthan, Shirdi, P.O. Shirdi-423 109. Kopargaon, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.
- Mumbai Office-Chairperson, Shri Sai Baba
Sansthan, Shirdi, 'Sai Niketan', 804 -B, Dr. ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai-400 014.
Maharashtra, India. Also further details available at http://www.saibaba.org
, Email:admin@saibaba.org
 
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