Some Amazing Facts About Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

Shirdi is a unique village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, 76 km from Nashik. Is situated at this distance. Today, this village has transformed into one of the most visited pilgrimage centers. Shirdi was the home of Sai Baba, the great saint of the 20th century. Baba spent more than half of his life in Shirdi. That is, he spent more than 50 years of his life in this village and converted this small village into a big pilgrimage place, where devotees from place to place visit and pray to him.

Even today lakhs of tourists come to visit the Samadhi of Baba in Shirdi. In Shirdi, where Baba was seen for the first time in his Balayogi form, that place is called Gurusthan. Presently a small temple and shrine board has been built here. In Shirdi there is a Dwarkamai Mosque in the places associated with Sai Baba which Baba made his residence and stay here for almost 60 years. This Dwarkamai became like a pilgrimage for the people today.

Lendi Bagh is a small garden of Shirdi which Baba built with his own hands and irrigated each plant here. Baba used to come here every day and rest under the Neem tree in the garden. An octagonal lamp and light house known as Nandadeep has been built with stones in memory of Baba at this place.

When Should We Go ?

One can visit this holy temple in any season of the year. But the monsoon season is usually liked more, because the climate is appropriate during this time. The pilgrims often plan their journey on three main festivals - Guru Poornima, Dussehra and Ram Navami.

How to Go ?

There is no direct rail route to reach here. Shirdi can be reached by buses or other vehicles after rail journey to Manmad or Nashik in Maharashtra. Shirdi is 250 km from Mumbai and 90 km from Nashik. The nearest air service is from Mumbai-Pune.

Where to stay ?

Apart from many rest houses for staying in Shirdi, now four-star and three-star hotels have also been built.

Sage of fumigation is burning till today

Sai Baba at the fire lit their compound strength and it kept burning always fumigation putting wood. After Baba's samadhi, this fumigation continues to burn till date. Baba gave the name 'Udi' to the ash made from this fumigation. He used to distribute these ashes to the people to remove all kinds of sufferings. Even today, the pilgrims who come here accept Udi as Prasad. Near the mosque is Baba's Chavadi, where one day Baba used to rest.

Today 's Shirdi

Shirdi is famous worldwide today. Here from four o'clock in the morning, people stand in rows, so that they can bow to the idol of Baba located in the temple. Along with the darshan of Dwarakamai Mosque, Chavadi, people also salute Baba's Dhuni. The items used by Baba, his clothes, palanquin, shoes, wheelchairs etc. are kept in a museum.

Apart from this, Khandova Temple, Shakroi Ashram, Shani Temple, Changdev Maharaj's Samadhi and Narasimha Temple also attract tourists to Shirdi.

Usually devotees stand in line from dawn to get a glimpse of the tomb and statue of Sai Baba. There is a huge crowd on Thursday, on this day there is special worship of Baba's idol. The temple opens daily with prayers at 5 in the morning and closes with prayers at 10 o'clock in the night. It has a large hall with a capacity of 600 devotees. The first floor of the temple has precious pictures of Baba's life which are open for viewing.

The dining hall

The dining hall built by the Sai Temple Trust at Sai Prasadalaya Shirdi is a good example of communal harmony. Here, thousands of devotees sit together and eat food without any discrimination. This dining room is located a short distance from the Sai Baba temple. You will be surprised to know that you can eat very well on just 5 rupees token.