A Complete Guide to Shirdi: The Land of Faith and Devotion
Maharashtra, known as the land of saints, is home to many spiritual leaders. Today, let’s explore one such sacred destination—Shirdi, a place associated with the spiritual guru Sai Baba, who shared the message of “Shraddha (Faith) and Saburi (Patience)” and “Sabka Malik Ek” (One God for All).
Located in Ahmednagar district, Shirdi is renowned for its Sai Baba temple, which holds great significance. Sai Baba first appeared under a neem tree at the age of 16, a spot now known as Gurusthan. He wore a simple white robe and a cloth tied around his head and would seek alms from five households daily. Baba performed various miracles, relieving the suffering of his devotees. For 60 years, he resided in Dwarkamai, serving people, showing love for all living beings, and preaching compassion, selfless service, and love.
Sai Baba passed away on Vijayadashami in 1918. After his death, his devotees built a temple in his memory. Established in 1922, the temple showcases a blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. The sanctum is adorned with gold, and the temple’s dome is also made of gold. Inside the main temple, there is a life-sized marble idol of Sai Baba in a meditative pose, with his right hand raised in a blessing gesture and his left hand resting on his lap.
The temple complex includes the Samadhi Mandir (Shrine of Sai Baba), a large prayer hall, and spaces for group worship and bhajans. Daily rituals such as Kakad Aarti (morning prayers), Madhyan Aarti (midday prayers), Dhoop Aarti (evening prayers), and Shej Aarti (night prayers) are conducted. The temple is open for darshan from 4 AM to 11 PM. VIP tickets for quicker darshan can be booked online via the temple’s official website. Prices for VIP darshan are as follows:
- Morning Aarti: ₹500
- Madhyan Aarti: ₹300
- Dhoop Aarti: ₹300
- Shej Aarti: ₹300
- Quick Darshan: ₹1,500
Adjacent to the temple lies Dwarkamai, where Baba lived. Here, the sacred fire (dhuni) lit by Baba continues to burn. Visitors can also see the stone on which Baba used to sit.
Nearby is Chavadi, where Baba spent his last days. Every Thursday, a grand procession recreates the tradition of Baba’s palanquin journey from Dwarkamai to Chavadi.
Another significant place in the temple complex is Dixit Wada Museum, built by Baba’s devotee Dixit. The museum houses rare photographs of Sai Baba, his belongings such as clothes, utensils, cooking vessels, and religious artifacts. Entry is free for all visitors.
For devotees, a large free dining hall called Sai Prasadalaya serves free meals from 10 AM to 9 PM. The hall can accommodate thousands of visitors at once.
Just 3 km from the temple is the Sai Heritage Village on the Ahmednagar Highway. This site recreates scenes from Baba’s life, such as feeding the needy, performing miracles, and his palanquin processions. The entry fee is ₹100 for adults, while children can enter free.
Another must-visit attraction is India’s first devotional park, located 5 minutes from the temple. This park offers a magical and immersive 3-hour experience for ₹475. Highlights include a short film on Sai Baba, a 5D movie depicting Lanka Dahan, and a miniature train ride that provides a virtual tour of major Indian temples such as Siddhivinayak, Meenakshi Temple, Golden Temple, and Puri Jagannath Temple. The evening laser show based on Sai Baba’s life is the park’s main highlight.
Travel to Shirdi:
- By Air: The nearest airport is Shirdi International Airport, 15 km from the temple, with direct flights from major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
- By Road: Shirdi is approximately 84 km from Ahmednagar. Buses and private cabs are available from cities like Mumbai, Aurangabad, and Nashik.
- By Train: Shirdi has its own railway station, Sai Nagar Shirdi, with trains like Sai Nagar Shirdi Express connecting it to Mumbai.
For accommodation, Shirdi offers a range of hotels, lodges, and guesthouses, including temple accommodations. Rooms at the temple premises cost ₹900 (AC) and ₹200 (non-AC). Sai Sansthan manages facilities such as Sai Baba Bhakt Niwas, Dwarawati, Sai Prasad, Sai Leela, and Sai Ashram, offering 2,552 rooms and 160 dormitories that can accommodate over 17,000 devotees daily. It’s recommended to book at least a month in advance for a comfortable stay.
– Prasad Shinde