Shirdi is a small village in Ahmednagar district. Shirdi has become famous all over India for its association with the renowned Saint Shri Sai Baba. Pilgrims belonging to all faiths, throng here all the year around.

 

AREA: 1.3 Sq. km.      

BEST SEASON: Throughout the year.  

STD CODE: 02423

The nearest airport is Aurangabad (144 Km/90 mile) which is connected by Indian Airlines and private airlines with other cities / towns. The convenient rail heads are Nasik(123 Km/76 mile) and Manmad (60 Km/37 mile). Shirdi is well connected by Road with Mumbai via Nasik-Sinnar and Manmad.  You can get the taxis from Dadar-Mumbai (Journey Time-7 hours) up to Shirdi or you can get  the Luxury Coach for Shirdi  or take a train up to Nasik and take a taxi for Shirdi.

ROAD DISTANCES:

Mumbai -Shirdi	300 Km	187 mile
Aurangabad - Shirdi	144 Km	90 mile
Manmad - Shirdi	60 Km	37 mile
Pune - Shirdi	203 Km	127 mile
Nasik - Shirdi	122 Km	76 mile
Ahmednagar -Shirdi	80 Km	50 mile

 

IN AND AROUND SHIRDI TEMPLE:

Samadhi Mandir: The Mandir is built with stones and Baba's Samadhi is built with white marble stones. A railing is built in marble around the Samadhi and is full of ornamental decorations. In front of the Samadhi are two silver pillars full of decorative designs. Just behind the Samadhi is Sai Baba's marvelous statue made of Italian marble which shows him seated on a throne. This idol was made by late Balaji Vasant. The routine of the temple starts at 5 o'clock in the morning with Bhoopali, a morning song, and closes at 10 o'clock in the night after Shejarati is sung. Only on three occasions the temple is kept open overnight. ie. On Gurupoornima, Dassera, and Ramnavami. Every Thursday and on each festival, a palkhi with Baba's photo is taken out from the temple.

Dwarkamai: Shri Sai Baba came to Shirdi with a marriage procession. He stayed at Dwarkamai till very end of his life. Dwarkamai is situated on the right side of the entrance of Samadhi Mandir. Here he solved problems of the people, cured their sickness and worries. Before Baba's arrival in Shirdi, Dwarkamai was an old mosque in a dilapidated condition. Baba turned it into Dwarkamai and proved that God is one.

Gurusthan: Sai Baba first came to Shirdi in the form of Bal Yogi - a child ascetic. He was first spotted seated under a Neem tree. This place came to be known as Gurusthan.  The renovation of Gurusthan was made on 30th September, 1941. The present temple was built after this period. There is a small shrine in Gurusthan. On a elevated platform of this shrine a big portrait of Baba is placed. On the side is a marble statue of Baba. In front of the portrait is a Shivling and the Nandi. Photos of twelve Jyotirlingas are kept in the temple. The branches of the Neem tree have come out through the roof of the temple.

At a short distance lies Baba's CHAVADI. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white belonging to him.

Lendi Baug: At some distance from Gurustahan there is a Lendi Baug. This Baug was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name a Nalla (a drain) which used to previously flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a Neem Tree.

 

 

Khandoba Mandir: This temple is situated on the main road. In front of this temple Baba was welcomed by Poojar Mhalsapti, of this temple, Saying "Aao Sai", when Baba stepped in Shirdi. In this temple there are icons of Khandoba, Banai and Mhalsai.

 Daily Programmes: 

Kakad Arati	5.15 a.m.
Holy Bath of Shri Sai Baba	6.00 a.m.
Darshan Begins	7.00 a.m.
Satyanarayana Pooja	9.00 a.m.
Abhishek	9.00 a.m.
Noon Arati	12.00 noon
Pravachan or Pujan	4.00 p.m.
Dhuparati	Sunset
Bhajan, Keertan	9.00 p.m.
Shejarati	10.00 p.m.

Facilities and Services at Shirdi for Tourists:

• Reception centres at the S.T. Bus stand.

• Medical facilities at well-equipped Sainath Hospital run by the Shirdi Sansthan.

• Accommodation of the Sai Baba Sansthan-Bhakti Niwas, Keshav Mandir, Mangal Karyalaya, Sai Nath Chhaya, Sai Niwas Guest House, Sai Prasad, Sai Udyan, Samadhi Mandir, Sevadham, Shanti Niwas.

 

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS:

• Executive Officer, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi, P.O. Shirdi-423 109. Kopargaon, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.

• Mumbai Office-Chairperson, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi, 'Sai Niketan', 804 -B, Dr. ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai-400 014. Maharashtra, India. Also further details available at    http://www.saibaba.org/ , Email:admin@saibaba.org