Shirdi Tourist Guide

Shirdi Overview

Shirdi is a town and falls under the jurisdiction of municipal council popularly known as Shirdi Nagar Panchayat, located in Rahata Taluka (Sub-division) in Ahmednagar District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Sai Baba of Shirdi was a spiritual master, regarded equally by both Hindu and Muslim devotees. Sai Baba chose to make the nondescript village of Shirdi his home. Despite his appearance as a Muslim fakir, he quoted eloquently from Hindu scriptures and treated devotees of all religions, castes, and creed equally. Sai Baba of Shirdi has remained one of the predominant forces of inspiration for the seekers of spirituality in India.  the small town with a registered population of a little over 36,000 people provides employment to thousands of migrant laborers and soothes the souls of devotees who queue up for hours to seek the blessings of the departed saint. 

Hotels in Shirdi

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Recommended Hotels in Shirdi

1. St Laurn Hotel Shirdi

2. Sun-n-Sand Shirdi

Why you must visit Shirdi

Shirdi is very well visited place where a huge crowed find throughout the year.  Sai Baba's presence is seen all over this town. There are several places in Shirdi to visit which are connected with the Holy Saint Sai Baba in some way or the other. It is an important pilgrimage center as it was once the abode of the noted Saint Sai Baba, who used to reside here. Due to its religious significance, it attracts a huge number of pious devotees who flock to Shirdi to seek the blessings of Sai Baba every year.  There is lots of places to visit and get darshan like Shani shingnapur, Trimbakeshwar.   

History About Shirdi

Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master who was regarded by his devotees as a saint, fakir, and satguru, according to their individual proclivities and beliefs. He was revered by both his Hindu and Muslim devotees, and during, as well as after, his life it remained uncertain if he was a Muslim or a Hindu. Shri Saibaba of Shirdi lived between 1838 and 1918, whose real name, birthplace and date of birth are not known,  He lived in a mosque and after death his body was cremated in a temple.  Life Of Sai babaHis philosophy ingrained 'Shraddha' meaning faith and 'Saburi' meaning compassion. According to him Shraddha and Saburi were the supreme attributes to reach the state of godliness. It is believed that at a tender age of 16 yrs Shri Saibaba arrived at the village of Shirdi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra and remained their till his death. He found shelter in Khandoba temple, where a villager Mahalsapathi in the temple addressed him as Sai or Saint. Saibaba of Shirdi lived an extremely simple and austere life, sleeping on the floor of temple and later taking a ruined mosque as his shelter. With his arrival to Shirdi. 

About Shani Shignapur

Shani Shingnapur  is a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Situated in Nevasa taluka in Ahmednagar district, the village is known for its popular temple of Shani, the Hindu god associated with the planet Saturn. The spectacle of the deity in black stone is overwhelming. A unique aspect of this place is, that no temple structure houses the Shanidev. There is only a simple platform on which stands the swayambhu idol, in black stone. Unlike other pilgrimage centres, devotees here can perform puja or abhishek or other religious rituals themselves. Therefore, these elements have a profound influence on us. These planets thus control us continuously. God Shani occupies the seventh place in the constellation of the nine 'grahas' which control the world.   Devotees are allowed to enter the temple premises after taking a bath. Only males are permitted inside the temple. Prayers are offered by the devotees in traditional dhotis at the Shani Shingnapur Temple.

Best time to visit Shirdi

One of the renowned holy town nestled amidst the hues of Western Ghats, Shirdi is mostly frequented by Hindu devotees. If you want visit to the holy abode of Shri Sai Baba, then anytime between July to February would be an Ideal pick. Winters are the best time to visit Shirdi as the weather is pleasant and is a great time to enjoy your pilgrimage and sightseeing in Shirdi. The average temperature during this time of the year falls between 8 degrees Celsius to 34 degrees Celsius.

How to Reach Shirdi

By Flight: The nearest International Airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, roughly four and a half hour drive from Shirdi. Connecting flights to major Indian cities like, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh.

By Bus: Shirdi is well connected to adjacent cities and districts by state owned buses, private deluxe and semi deluxe buses. Taxis, mini-vans and cabs can also be hired to reach here. There are buses from almost every district, taluka place of Maharashtra to shirdi.

By Train: Kopergaon Railway Station, 16 kilometres away, is the nearest railway station to Shirdi. Kopergaon is well-connected to major cities of India through rail.  Other stations near Shirdi that are used for connecting to major cities in India are Manmad Junction (57 km). From theses two stations regular bus and taxi services can be hired to reach Shirdi. 

About Temple timing

• Timing/ Aarti

• 04:00 AM - Temple Open

•  04:15 AM - Bhupali

• 04:30 AM - Kakad Aarti (Morning)

• 05:00 AM - Bhajan in Saibaba Mandir

• 05:05 AM - Mangal Snaan (Bath) of Saibaba

• 05:35 AM - Aarti Shirdi Majhe Pandharpur

• 05:40 AM - Darshan in Samadhi

• 08:00 AM - 10:30 AM - Satyanarayan Pooja

• 09:00 AM - Abhishek

• 11:30 AM - Dhuni Pooja

• 12:00 PM - Mid day aarti

• 04:00 PM - Pothi in Samadhi Mandir

• 09:00 PM - Chavadi and Gurusthan closes

• 08:30 PM  - 10:00 PM - Devotional Song in samadhi Mandir

• 10:30 PM - Shej Aarti

• 11:15 PM - Mandir Closes

Places to visit in Shirdi

Dixit Wada Museum: Dixit Wada museum offers visitors an interesting insights into his simple and pious life. It was established by Kakasaheb Dixit in the year 1911 on Ram Navami with Baba's permission. When the museum’s construction was completed, Dixit took up residence in a small room on the first floor, leaving out the rest of the building for the use of the devotees.

Gurusthan: Gurusthan (place of the Guru) is the place where Sai Baba spent most of his time when he first came to Shirdi. It is said that the Baba believed that the tomb of his own Guru is located by the neem tree. he Gurusthan area has a statue of Baba, a pair of marble padukas on a pedestal and a Shivalinga. Installed in 1974, the statue of the Baba was carved by the grandson of the sculptor of the Samadhi Mandir statue and was donated by Y. D. Dave.

Khandoba Temple: The Khandoba Temple is among the thirteen main temples of Khandoba. It is said that the temple priest Mhalsapati spotted Sai Baba in front of the temple and said Yaa Sai which means Welcome Sai. People started referring to him as Sai Baba after the incident. Lord Khandoba is regarded as a folk deity possessing attributes of Shiva, Bhairava, Surya and Kartikeya Skanda. He has been depicted either in the form of a Lingam or as an image riding on a bull or a horse within the Khandoba Temple.

Chavadi: The Chavadi Mandir was originally a place wherein taxes were collected, village records kept and visiting officials put up. The literal meaning of chavadi is ‘village office’ and this temple was a place for accommodating pilgrims and also used for storage of books until the late 1930s. A large portrait of Sai Baba painted by Amabaram from Gujarat is placed inside the Chavadi Temple. The temple also has a bed wherein the saint was given his last bath after he passed. This bed is considered as sacred and is covered with palanquin and is taken out every Thursday.

Samadhi Mandir: The Samadhi Mandir is situated in Shirdi and has been named after the famous saint Sai Baba. The body of the holy saint Sai Baba rests in this temple.  The divine statue of Sai Baba was built by Late Balaji Vasant in 1954 and is situated within the Samadhi Mandir. The temple can accommodate 600 visitors in its assembly hall. The temple remains open overnight on special occasion like Gurupurnima, Ramnavami and Dassera. A palkhi with Sai Baba’s photo is taken out from the temple every Thursday and on special occasions. The temple is among the main attractions of Shirdi and is visited by many worshippers, historians and travellers throughout the year.

Where to eat in shirdi

Sai Sagar Food Court: This restaurant is the best The food quality is very good, and there is a wide variety to choices of food items to choose.  it is close to templ with Ac people get attracted due to mass attraction

Rajdhani Thali: This is a good restaurant to have a Indian Veg Thali with variety of food items. The food was well prepared and delicious. Mix of Authentic Rajasthani and Gujarati Cuisine.

Rajdhani Restaurant: Rajdhani Restaurant boasts of excellent dishes coupled with meticulous service. Tourist must visit and enjoy thier lunch and dinner 

Festivals and Events in Shirdi

There are three major festivals in Shirdi and attract thousands of devotees from across the world. These are Ramnavami (end March), Guru Purnima (Full Moon) and Shirdi Vijayadashmi.  These are the only days when the Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi opens for the whole night. Every Thursday, a palakhi bearing a photograph of the sage is taken out from the temple.  In the festival season, more than 1,00,000 devotees visit the Temple everyday.

Shirdi to shani shingnapur

Shani Shingnapur. Located at a distance of 65 kms from Shirdi in the Ahmednagar district, the Shani Shingnapur Temple is dedicated to Lord Shaneshwar or Lord Shanidev.  To travel Shani Shingnapur from Shirdi head towards Sakori, Rahata, Kolhar BK,  Rahuri. From Rahuri take a left turn to reach Shani Shingnapur from Sonai.