Shirdi - Land of Sai OR Shirdi Sai Baba OR One God governs all

STATE - MAHARASTRA
   
DISTANCE - 100 KM From Nasik, 290 KM From Mumbai

 
CONNECTION
 
By Air : Nearest airports are Mumbai (260 km), Pune (185 km), and Aurangabad (125 km). Flights for all the major cities in India and abroad can be taken from Mumbai.

By Rail : The nearest railway station is Manmad (60 km) on the Central Railway, which is connected to many parts of the country with express trains.

By Road : We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
 
ABOUT SHIRDI
 
Shirdi is a small village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. The small village is 100 km from Nashik. It is today a hustling pilgrimage center of India. Shirdi was the home of Sai Baba, the great saint of the 20th century. The saint lived in Shirdi for more than 50 years of his life. He made the small village a big pilgrimage site for devotees. Devotees throng from all over the world.

Sai Baba entered this village when he was 16 years of age. He appeared under a neem tree and was engaged in a hard self-mortification. The saint devoted his entire life for the upliftment of the poor and the suffering. The saint’s origin and early life are covered in enigma. He is believed to be an embodiment of lord Shiva.
 
PLACES OF INTERESTS & RELIGIOUS PLACES IN SHIRDI
 
The Sai Baba temple : The Saibaba temple is situated in the heart of Shirdi village spreading in approximately 200sqmts, attracting thousands of pilgrims from across the world. The temple premises has several of important sites connected to Saibaba of Shirdi that are venerated by all the devotees.

kanyakumari Temple : Located at distance of 5 kms away from Shirdi, Sakuri is a must visit place for people who believe in Upasani Maharaj & Godavari Mata. Shri Upasani Maharaj was a prime disciple of Sai Baba and his ashram the Kanya Kumari Sthan is located in Sakori. It was in Sakori that Meher Baba, a Zoroastrian master was initiated by his guru Shri Upasani Maharaj.

Khandoba Temple : Khandoba temple holds a special place in Shirdi, since this was the site which saw the coming of Saibaba in his tender years dressed in kafni. It is believed that when this young man, with flowing beards and sparkling eyes, approached the temple premises as one of the guest of a wedding party, the temple priest Mhalsapati greeted him as 'Ya Sai'. This name led to the appellation and evolution of one of the most admired spiritual gurus of India.

Samadhi Mandir : Samadhi Mandir houses Saibaba's tomb and was originally constructed as a wada (large private house) during Saibaba's last years. The Samadhi Mandir has the statue of Saibaba all in white marble sitting in relaxed, natural and majestic demeanor gazing at the millions of devotees who throng the temple for his blessings.

Dwarkamai : Dwarkamai in one of the cherished treasure troves of Shirdi associated with Saibaba. When Shri Sai Baba came to Shridhi with a marriage procession, he stayed at Dwarkamai and remained there till the very end of his life. It is situated on the right of the entrance of Samadhi Mandir. Here Saibaba used to heal the sufferers and the sick.

Ellora caves : The Ellora caves, locally known as ‘Verul Leni’ is located just 100 kms from Shirdi The name Ellora itself inspires everyone as it represents one of the largest rock-hewn monastic-temple complexes in the entire world. Ellora is also world famous for the largest single monolithic excavation in the world, the great Kailasa (Cave 16). The visit to these caves is enjoyed maximum during monsoon, when every stream is filled with rainwater, and the entire environ is lush green.

Bhimashanker : A famous pilgrimage site on top the ghats. It is one of the Jyotirlings of Shiva and has a beautiful temple with a huge bell, a relic of the Portuguese time. Nag Phani, the highest point, is nearby and commands an excellent view. Bhimashankar is a thickly forested area. Bhorgag is a small hill fort. Located just 200 kms from Shirdi.

Trimbakeshwar : This small town houses the Trimabakeshwar Temple which belongs to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The special feature of this Jyotirlinga is that it has three faces viz. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Rudra. The entire temple structure and architecture is exquisite and appealing to look at. Located just 18 kms away from Nasik, there are various modes of transport available to reach Trimbakeshwar. People who wish to conduct the narayan nagbali pooja or the kalsarpa yoga pooja arrive at Trimabakeshwar Temple.
 
WHEN TO GO SHIRDI
 
The best time visit shirdi June to August.
 
WEATHER FORECAST
 
Summers (March to May) have maximum and minimum temperatures of 40°C and 21°C, typically people avoid visiting during the hot months of April and May. Monsoons (June to August) offer scanty rainfalls and may be opted for sightseeing and Ashram visit. Winters (December to February) have a maximum and minimum temperature of 32°C and 8°C, most of the travelers prefer this period.
 
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS IN SHIRDI
 
Ramnavami : Ramanavi is one of the most important festivals celebrated with great excitement and fanfare. In the year 1897 Goplarao Gund proposed holding in Urus in name of Saibaba in gratitude of a child which he was granted after so many childless years. Saibaba conceded to celebrate his urus on the condition that it be celebrated on Ramnavami. This was indeed an ingenious touch of Saibaba bringing together the Hindus and Muslims together. People may know Urus is a Muslim festival that is celebrated to honor a saint.

Gurupurnima : Gurupurnima or Full Moon is also a wonderful time to visit Shirdi. It is the time to honor the Guru and seek his special blessing. Quite a significant festival in Shirdi Guru Purnima was the only festival which Saibaba has asked his devotees to celebrate. This is the time devotees all across the world converge in Shirdi to seek Saibaba's blessings. There is also Vyasa Puja that is held during Guru Purnima, in honor of Ved Vyasa who wrote the epic Mahabharata.

Shirdi Vijayadashmi : Vijayadashmi is a big festival in Shirdi, venerated as a holy day when Shri Saibaba left his mortal body for heavenly abode. The festival is also celebrated as Shri Sai Punyathithi in Shirdi attracting great number of devotees from all over the world. Various religious activities are arranged Great number of people flock to Shirdi during this Festival. During this festival 'Brahman Bhojan' is arranged with Dakashina (Donation to Guru). This year the festival is celebrated from 20th to 23rd October.