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Shirdi is that mystical magical town near the holy city of
Nasik, close to Mumbai. This hallowed town exudes such intense
devotion, that even the casual visitor is bound to be charged
with fervour. Shirdi was the abode of the saint Sai Baba, who
lived here for eighty years – and died here over eighty years
ago. It is said that Sai Baba himself calls his devotees to
Shirdi and that his blessings can heal even the deepest wound.
The town is tiny – just 2 square km of main street and a
labyrinth of by-lanes – but packs in much passion.
Pilgrims throng for a brief “darshan” at Samadhi Mandir, the
shrine of Sai Baba where his mortal remains were interred. The
queues outside the mandir are endless, the throng inside is
maddening, and the devotion intense. Next to the shrine is the
peaceful Masjid where Sai Baba spent most of his life. The
sacred fire called “dhuni” still burns here and its ash or
“udhi” is smeared on devotees. The Chavadi is a small building
where Sai Baba used to spend every alternate night.
The Guru Sthan is the shrine where the Baba’s spiritual leader
took samadhi (gave up his body). The neem tree at the Guru
Sthan where Sai Baba first sat when he came to Shirdi, is said
to have absorbed miracle powers. The Lendi Gardens where Sai
Baba went for a walk and sat in meditation is a spot where
devotees come to pray. The Khandoba Temple, near the STA bus
stop, is the oldest temple in Shirdi.
The streets of Shirdi are paved with shops selling Sai Baba
memorabilia, especially the unforgettable pictures of Sai Baba
himself, with his piercing eyes, snowy beard and benevolent
smile. For assistance in Shirdi, contact the Shri Sai Baba
Sansthan, a charitable organisation with a rest house,
canteen, locker facilities and an assistance counter at the
bus stand
Making tracks
Shirdi is on the Ahmednagar-Manmad Highway, 250 km from Mumbai
and 75 km from Nashik. You can fly into Nashik and then take a
bus, taxi or train to Shirdi. Shirdi is accessible on the
Central Railway line; get off at Manmad (65 km from Shirdi) or
at Kopergaon (18 km). MTDC runs buses from all major
destinations.
Best time to go
Pilgrims flock to Shirdi at any time of the year. Shirdi has a
dry climate that swings to extremes, from a high of 40° C in
May, to a low of 7° C in January. But the monsoon months -
June to August - are pleasant, with scanty rains. Though the
shrine is open though the week, Thursday is Sai Baba's special
day.
Room with a view
Accommodation is never a problem in Shirdi - from the MTDC
hotel, tourist rest houses, dharamsalas and ashrams, to five
star accommodation - the town is totally geared for pilgrims.
Hotels offer special packages and check-in/check-out timings.
You can stay in comfort and clean surroundings at one of the
charitable sansthas and dharamsalas for just a handful of
rupees. Stay clear of touts!
Money talk
The shops open as early as 7 a.m. and close late, at around
10:30 p.m. Shirdi does not have any banks or moneychangers and
you will need to go to Nashik to change your foreign currency.
Most of the large hotels accept international credit cards.
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