22 Places to Visit in Shirdi

OTHER TOURIST PLACES IN INDIA

TOURIST PLACES IN THE WORLD

Are you planning to visit Religious place to spend your holidays? SHIRDI a Holy Land, in the State of Maharashtra, India is one of the best choices to spend your holidays peacefully. 
It comes under Ahmednagar District. Floating populations are huge in this Pilgrimage Place. Getting job is easy in this town, hence many are migrating to this Divine Land. This town is famously known as the "Home of the Saint Shri Sai Baba". This place is well known for being the workplace of "God's Child" Shri Sai who was a living Saint. His temple is always flooded with devotees. Before the Saint visited this place in mid of 19th century, no one knew about this place, infact it was just one of the villages in India with no much attention. There are more than 2000 sai temples around the World and the Temple situated here is the richest next to Tirupathi temple in India. Apart from this Divine Temple, for spiritual lovers there are so many holy sites to visit. Apart from divine places, tourist spots like Museum, Art Gallery, Water Park, Cafe, Food Outlets and Shopping's makes our trip here a memorable one. Its not a great place for Non Vegetarian lovers as we get only varieties of vegetarian foods in most of the food outlets. Many prefer to have food in the famous "PRASADALAYA" in the Sai Temple as the delicious meal served here costs only Rs.10/-. Also prasadams (Sacred Food Items) like "Ladoo" made of pure ghee, "Sweets" and "Cashew Nuts" are sold here from 6 Am till 10 Pm. "Marathi" is the language spoken by localites earlier, but at present the locals speak Hindi and English apart from Marathi. Along with Hindus, we can find decent number of Muslim Population living here following Sai's Principles. People here are found in Traditional attire. Hotels are available for pleasant and decent stay at all price tags. "PWD VIP Guest House" with 16 suits and "Irrigation Guest House" with 2 suits are also available. Since the rooms are very less in these guest houses comparing with hundreds of thousands of devotees visiting daily, its better to book your accommodation well ahead of your travel date. As this place is connected with divinity, there are no pubs or bars are available in this town, hence the booze lovers may get disappointed. Participating in "Bhajans and "Kirtanas" are the available options to spend night time for Night life lovers. 

How to Reach Shirdi? 

You can reach this divine destination by Air, Bus and Rail. Spread across 400 acres of land the Shirdi Airport is owned by MADC (Maharashtra Airport Development Company). At present "Alliance Air" operates flights from Mumbai and Hyderabad. Current airport is just 14 Kilometers away from the City. The other two nearest airports are Aurangabad and Pune which are approximately 115 Kilometers and 186 Kilometers away from this place. The Maharashtra State Transport Buses as well as Private Buses are running between all important cities and towns of Maharashtra to Shirdi. Also few buses are available to reach this town from few important Cities of India. There are several trains passing through Sainagar Shirdi and during summer Indian Railways operates special trains too. Other railway stations near to divine destinations are Manmad and Kopargaon. Buses are available from both Manmad and Kopargaon to reach your religious holiday destination.


List of 22 Sight Seeing Places in Shirdi : 

There are so many places in Shirdi to enjoy our trip, but the main 22 must see places in Shirdi are Sri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, Shri Saibaba Sansthan Temple, Dwarkamai Masjid, Baba Chavadi, Gurusthan, Maruti Mandir, Dixit Wada Museum, Khandoba Mandir, Wet N Joy Water Park, Lendi Baug, Adul Baba Cottage, Sai Heritage Village, Upasani Maharaj Ashram, House of Laxmibai Shindi, Mhalsapati's House, Shri Upasani Kanyakumari Sthan, Nana Walli's Samadhi, Shree Sai Hemant Art Gallery, Shri Tatya Kote Samadhi, Shri Shantinath Digamber Jain Kaach Mandir, Gyan Thirth Shri Parshvanath Digambar Jain Mandir and V P Iyer's Samadhi.

SRI BABA SAMADHI MANDIR is the divine place where we can see Baba's Tomb. This Holy Shrine was built by Shri S B Dhumal, a multimillionaire devotee. Shri Sai took Mahasamadhi on 15th October 1918. The building what we see now is twice that of what was constructed earlier. He has promised to his devotees that "I shall be active and vigorous even from the tomb". People to this place carry flowers, garlands, sweets, fruits and nuts to offer the child of God. There is a museum inside which displays belongings of Baba. Cooking Pots, Sandals (Most of the time Sai walks barefooted), Chillims, Clothes and a Silver Palanquin are kept for display. Arathi is held four times a day at Baba's Samadhi at 4.30 AM, 12.00 PM, 6.30 PM and 10.30 PM. 

SHRI SAIBABA SANSTHAN TEMPLE is spread across 200 square meters of land. It is one of the major pilgrimage centers in the World. After the renovation in the year 1999, the temple is well equipped and having the facilities like "Prasadalaya" for lunch & dinner, Darshan Lane, Donation Counters, Prasad Counters, Canteen, Book Stall, Accommodation Counter and Railway Booking Counter. Temple opens at 4.00 in the morning every day. "Khakad Arathi" takes place between 4.30 AM and 5.00 AM. "Mid Day Arathi" takes place between 12.00 PM and 12.30 PM. "Dhoop Arathi" takes place during sunset and "Shej (Night) Arathi" takes place from 10.30 PM to 10.50 PM. After night Arathi, a shawl is wrapped on the statue of Baba in the Samadhi Mandir, a Rudraksha Mala is put around His neck, a glass of water will be kept near Him and Mosquito net is hung. Temple closes at 11.15 PM every day after Night Arathi. Abhishekam takes place in 2 batches every day from 7.00 AM to 8.00 AM and from 9.00 AM to 10.00 AM. If it is over crowded, then more than 3 batch of Abhishekam takes place from 11.00 AM to 12.00 PM. Satyananarayan Pooja takes place in batches every day. On normal days in 3 batches and during peak time in 5 batches. Other programs which happens daily are Bhupali, Bhajan, Holy Bath of Shri Sai Baba also known as Mangal Snaan, Dhuni Pooja with Rice and Ghee, Pothi (Reading devotional books), Devotional Songs, Cultural Programs and Chavadi at respective time. Darshan Lines will be closed during Noon Arathi, Shej Arathi and Dhup Arathi. On every Thursday at 9.15 PM Palanquin Program is arranged. The Important festivals that are celebrated every year with great passion are Ram Navami during the month of March / April, Guru Purnima during the month of July and Vijayadasami during the month of September / October. Special Bajans and Parayna takes places during festival time.

DWARKAMAI MASJID is the place where SaiBaba, the God on Earth lived. First time visitors will be surprised to see the simple and unadorned structure home of God. Dwarkamai is a very special mosque and it is one of the treasures of Shirdi. Devotees can feel the positive vibrations while entering the Mosque. Those who visit here, can certainly achieve their goals. You can see different forms of prayers offered by devotees like by kneeling down, by doing japam, by reading sacred books and by meditating and so on. "Dhuni" is the most important part of Dwarkamai for many visitors as it is so closely associated with Shri Sai. It is the Sacred burning fire that Sai has built and has been maintained ever since. Sainath never worshiped this fire instead He just maintained it. On the right side of the Dhuni if we look carefully we can spot the mark with Silver Padukas where Baba used to sit during his days. He used to give "Udi - Holy Ash" from the Dhuni to His visitors. There are many cases of His devotees being healed of any pain or sickness by taking Baba's Udi. Udi is still collected from the fire for distribution in this temple. It is considered to be Sacred and also an emotional attachment among His devotees. Kolamba and the Water Pot used by Sai can be seen in the South West corner of the Mosque. Twice a day Baba used to beg for his daily food. He mostly visited five houses. He used to collect solid food in the cloth bag and liquid offering in a pot. After reaching the mosque, He used to offer some to Dhuni and empty it in the Kolamba. One can find "The Nimbar" with set of lamps on the Western wall of the mosque. These lamps were put there by Baba himself. This spot is very near to where He used to sit and is sacredly decorated with flowers and garlands. The Grinding Stone and a Bag of Wheat are kept in the North corner of the Western wall of the Mosque. He used this grinding stone rarely for grinding wheat. Near grinding stone we can see a cupboard where He used to keep his Chillims. He was very fond of smoking tobacco with the pipes made of clay. Some times He used to tell stories during these times. Portrait of Baba is kept on a platform and is the focus of worship. 

BABA CHAVADI is the place where Baba used to sleep. Regular Arathi to him while He was sleeping was made a custom. Devotees used to offer Arathi when He woke up in the morning, mid day and evening. This developed subsequently. Chavadi was also renewed during the time when Dwarkamai was renovated. Chandeliers made of Glass were suspended from the ceiling, Mud Walls were plastered, Mirrors were kept and Tiles replaced the Mud flooring. "Utsav", The Chavadi Procession takes places from Masjeed (Dwarkamai) to Chavadi. Chavadi is open for public from 3.45 AM to 9.00 PM. "Lalkari" (No direct translation available for Lalkari) is performed at specific places during the Chavadi Procession. It means chanting slogans at high voice or praising the Lord like Long Live Sai Baba. 

Specialty about GURUSTHAN is that it is the "PLACE OF GOD". It is the place where Sai came first, when he visited the holy land of Shirdi. It is one of the important places in this Holy City as Baba has mentioned Himself that His Guru's Tomb is located near the neem tree in Gurusthan. There is a underground tunnel under the neem tree which leads to Dwarkamai. This tunnel was found when some villagers were digging behind the neem tree for "Sathe Wada". After seeing the tunnel they got confused and asked about this to Baba. He immediately told them that not to disturb the tunnel since tombs of His ancestors are there. This is one of the must see places in this divine location, hence we should never miss to visit Gurusthan. 

DIXIT WADA MUSEUM is situated at the center of Sansthan Complex. Its a very compact and neatly maintained museum. Rare Black & White photographs of Sai are there in this divine museum. Baba's Long Robes, Leather Padukas, Smoking Pipe, Gramophone Records, Water Tumblers, Cooking Utensils and Bathing Stone can be seen here. 

LENDI BAUG is situated near the Gurusthan. Never miss to visit this place as this is one of the auspicious places of Shirdi. Baba used to take rest under a Neem Tree here daily. He made this Lendi Baug and He himself watered daily. He then dug a 2 feet deep pit under the Neem tree and kept an Earthen Lamp. "Nanda Deep" has been built in this place with marble stone in His memory. At the Baug's entrance, Samadhi's of Tatya Kote Patil, Nanavalli, Abdul Baba and Bhau Maharaj Kumbhar are there. They are ardent devotees of Sai Baba. 

WET N JOY PARK is located near Sun N Sand Hotel in Rahata. There are many attractions in this holiday spot to spend your holiday with family. Never miss to enjoy the following center of attraction of this water park. Anaconda, Bumpy Ride, Cyclone Ride, Dare Devil Drop, Family Ride, Kids Ride, Lazy River, Multi Racer Ride, Multi Play Station, Pendulum Slide, Rain Dance, Swing Chair, Thunder Wave Pool, The Blast, The Black Hole, The Bom-Bay and Wavy Ride are the 17 attractions in this Water Park. Park is open from 10 in the morning till 6 in the evening. Lockers are available to keep your luggage's safe at nominal cost. Only concerning rule is that they won't allow to take outside eatables, food and beverages.

Shirdi Sai Baba's 11 Assurances to His Devotees are: 

Whoever Puts his feet on Shirdi soil, his sufferings would come to an end. The wretched and miserable will rise to joy and happiness as soon as they climb the step of the mosque. I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body. My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees. I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb. My mortal remains will speak from my tomb. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me. If you look to me, I look to you. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it. If you seek my advice and help it shall be given to you at once. There shall be no want in the house of my devotee. 

Some of the Interesting Facts about Divine Shirdi: 

On an average 50,000 tourists visit this auspicious place. During important days like Gurupoornima, Ramanavami and Dussehra around 500,000 devotees visit here to seek the blessings of Sainath. Temple once owned by Shrimat Gopalrao, a Sai devotee who was a millionaire from Nagpur, is now owned and maintained by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust. New ashram to accommodate 15,000 devotees was constructed in the year 2012. For this one of the rich sai devotee donated Rs. 110 Crores. In 80's the famous Bollywood star Jackie Shroff played a role in the Hindi movie "Malik Ek". He gave up smoking and drinking during the entire shooting period. On 1st October 2017 India's Honorable President Shri Ramnath Kovind inaugurated the newly constructed Shirdi Airport at Kakdi. Here the average literacy rate is 70%. 

Shirdi Sai Sansthan is the second richest temple in India after Tirupathi. Many miracles happens in this religious town. No one knows the real name of Sai Baba. A devotee requested Sai Baba to take a picture of Him in his camera, but He refused several times and finally allowed that devotee to take the photograph of His feet. Taking advantage of this the devotee took the full photograph of Sai Baba and after developing the photo, he found only the Feet of Divine Baba. Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust is now offering Hospital Facility for all the devotees. 

OTHER TOURIST PLACES IN INDIA

TOURIST PLACES IN THE WORLD