The temple of Shirdi Sai is a beautiful shrine which was built over the Samadhi of shri sai baba. ShIrdi is situated at the distance of 296 KM from the city of Mumbai (India).Shirdi is well known for the temple of Sai Baba.In the year of 1922 it was established to carry out the services of Sri Sai baba. Shirdi is a village in Ahmad Nagar district of Maharashtra, it is said that at the age of 16 years Shri Sai Baba arrived at the village of shirdi and remained there till death. Sai baba got shelter in the temple named as Khandoba where Mahalsapathi (villager) addressed him as sai.Sri Sai baba of shirdi lived here from 1838 to 1918, but nobody knows about  his birth place, date of birth and real name.that is still  unknown. He was a spiritual guru and was respected with both Muslim and Hindu followers.He passed his life span in mosque and after the departure of soul his body was cremated in a temple .

‘Shraddha ‘was the philosophy of sai baba which means faith and ‘saburi’ means compassion. According to him these two were the highest characteristics to attain the state of godliness.

History

Many years ago at the commencement of 18th century a young man with sparkling eyes came to shirdi and took shelter in a mosque. He was completely unknown for anybody. Nobody knew from where this stranger had come.

The villagers become so curious about him and started offering food to that man.But they didn’t ask anything to him. Gradually he started expressing his views with some elder villagers.He used simple language so that Everybody could understand his  language, he had a very  special kind of  skill in solving the problems of needy ,his magnetic and influensive expressions , this all soon made him known as Shri Sai Baba, and very soon the glory of baba moved all around , a lot of people flocked to the village  and the village named as shirdi become the center of pilgrimage.as the presentation and gifts flowed in ,the ceremony and pomp of the worship of sai were  evolving and every day  sai baba distributed all the offerings among  the poor and needy people.The spiritual glory of the saint was unaltered and undisturbed  and calm.

People also understood that sai baba was an extraordinary person with godly powers which a normal human being could not possess. Baba taught about the principles of faith and love in humanity to his disciples. He was distress over the fact that mostly people came to him with their own personal problems and not for the attainment of salvation. According to him which could only be attained by the true service of humanity.

He was the firm believer in uniformity of religion, he never made any discrimination on the ground of religion, cast and creed. He never returns those people empty handed who came to him in their hour of grief and need. He performed miracles to lighten the sufferings of poor. On one occasion he lighted a lantern with water and on the other occasion he restored the eyes of a blind elderly.

As there is the end of all good things’ Baba departed his soul on his own will on 15th of October 1918 ,leaving behind millions of followers crying. His body was kept in the Samadhi mandir known as booty which was built by his followers before his death.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport to shirdi is located at Nasik city which is at the distance of 75 KM from shirdi  and is well linked with various major cities of india.Aurangabad is the other closest airport situated approximately 144 KM far from shirdi

By Rail

Shirdi has access to the central railway line. One can deboard at either kopergoan (18 km) or manmad (60km) railway station.

By Bus

Shirdi is well linked by road. One can move to shirdi either by state transport buses or by car, private taxis rental cars etc

Getting Around Shirdi

Taxis and auto rickshaws are easily available for local transportation. One can get services ofrental car agencies from Mumbai to shirdi as PM chains, Raj travels, travel cool, Mohan tours and travels et

Attractions

Samadhi Mandir

This is the memorial where baba went into Samadhi. The entire construction of the temple is with stone while Samadhi is made up with white marbles with amazing decorations. An idol ofsai baba is seated on the throne behind the Samadhi which is made up of pure Italian marble it looks as if baba is abut to speak to his devotees. The visiting hours of the temple are 5 AM to 10 PM. The temple is open whole night on Ramnavmi, Dussehra, and guru purnima, and on every Thursday a palki with the photograph of baba is taken out from the temple which is worth seeing.

Shirdi Sai Museum

Sai museum in shirdi is kept under the maintenance of sai baba sansthan of shirdi. It has a rich depository of all personal belongings of baba .devotees from all over the world come to visit the museum which is the part of dwarikamai.

A lot of things which were very close to the guru have been kept in the museum very carefully. It has some coins which baba gave to malsapati  who was the priest of Khandoba, the padukas, and two utensils which were used to feed people in  crowd.in these utensils one was big and other was small . The big was used to serve a group of 100 people and small was used to serve food for 50 people.

A grinding mill has also been kept in the museum which was used by baba. It has its own significance and philosophy of baba. This grinding put forward the concept of bhakti  and dharma which must come collectively for the ultimate salvation. The mill explained that with the faith on bhakti and dharmaman could attain the state of godliness.

Some personal articles used by baba have been kept in the Samadhi temple. One can see a chair in the museum that was used by baba regularly and a cot on which baba took last bath after his end, an earthen pot that was used by baba for begging , the chimta which was used by baba while singing ,and a pot I which baba stored water is here and  full with water even today

Dwarikamai-The Holy Place

This is the place where sai baba used to live and stayed here till the end of his life The mosque is located on the right side of Samadhi mandir where baba meet his devotees. The ‘Dhuni’ burnt by baba has been burning approx 100 years. The ash named as ‘udi’ is collected and distributed among the devotees twice daily. A big portrait of baba is kept inside the mosque at his sitting place

Gurusthan – Resting Place of the God

This is the mark under the neem tree where baba was first seen he himself said that this is the place of almighty so the pace was called gurusthan. The portrait of sai baba has been kept on a raised platform for worship

Lendi Baug-The Flower Garden

There is garden named as ‘lendi baug’ situated to the northwest of Samadhi temple. It was abarren land but turned into garden by baba himself. He watered the garden and spends few hours in meditation. The garden has amazing collection of flowers and is maintained by devotees.

Timings and other Important Information

Daily program at Sai Temple at Shirdi.

The worship schedule begins early in the morning which continues till late night. The worship includes numerous rites and rituals for baba. The gurusthan, dwarikamai, and chavdi open for devotees at 4:30 AM while Samadhi mandir opens at 5 am. At 9 pm gurusthan and chavdi close. The upper part of dwarikamai closes at 9: 45 pm and at last Samadhi temple closes at 10:45 pm till the next day.

Important Festivals Celibrated in Shirdi Sai Temple

There are three main festivals celebrated in shirdi they are of 2-4 days each. They are celebrated with respect and devotion, named as ramnaumi (march/April) guru purnima (July) and vijayashmi (September) .the programme of music, bhajan, puja, public prayana and processions with rath and palki are held with great zeal. The Samadhi mandir remains open full night during one of these days with dwarikamai. One can enjoy bhajan, and quawali at numerous places in shirdi

Ramnavmi

The festival of Ramnaumi is ne of the important festival which is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. It is said that in 1897 it was the proposal of goplarao gund to hold it in urus in the name of baba to show his gratitude towards him for a child which he got after several childless years. Baba accepted the celebration of his urus, if it is celebrated on ramnaumi. This was really an innovative idea through which he brought Muslims and Hindus on the common platform.those who are familiar may know that urus is a festival of Muslims which is celebrated to pay tribute to the saint

Gurupurnima

Gurupurnima is the best time to visit shirdi .this is an important festival which baba told his devotees to celebrate. This is the time when devotees from all over the world congregate in shirdi to seek the blessings of baba . Vyas puja is also held during gurupurnima in the honour  of rishi Veda vyas  the author of Mahabharata

Vijayadashmi

The festival of vijaydashmi is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm in shirdi. This is the day when baba departed his soul. In shirdi this festival is also known as Sri Sai punyatithi. A lot of people came to shirdi during this festival , and numerous religious activities are organized  as Brahman bhojan with dakshina . This  year the festival is going to celebrate from 20th -23rd October. Baba agreed to celebrate his urus on the condition that if it is celebrated on Ramnaumi

Tips for Devotees

A reception center has been opened opposite the S.T bus stand  for proper assistance and guidance to the devotees.

There is the biggest accommodation complex named as new Bhakta Niwas which has the capacity of 542 rooms of different categories. It is at the distance of about 01 KM from the mandir complex. The facility of free bus service has also been provided between the new bhakta niwas and the mandir complex round the clock. There are the facilities of canteen, parking space, non cut electricity and 24 hrs water supplies with full security. Solar hot water system is also available there.

Donatio

One can willingly donate online to Sri Saibaba sansthan trust shirdi for numerous activities.
The different donation funds are:

One can get the receipt of donation on his/her address

There is also the facility of donation through debit or credit card

The common devotees are taken care by the trust which provides them accommodation at very cheap rates such as a simple room with common facilities (without attached bathroom –toilet)is available only at Rs 50/-having the capacity of four persons and the charges of A.C rooms are Rs 700/-per day.

Accomodation

One other place of accommodation is the dwarawati bhakti niwas which is at the distance of two minutes walk from the bus stand. There are 334 rooms, dormitories, and large rooms having the capacity to accommodate 6-10 people. It has also 80 A.C rooms the complex provides all facilities like 24 hrs water supply electricity supply with generator back-up, parking and security.

Weather and Time to Visit

Shirdi has temperate climate throughout the year but the best time to visit the place is from June –September.

Winters (December-February) and the temperature during this period is 34o c and 8oc mostly people prefer to visit this period.

Summers (march- May) and during this period the temperature is 40o C and 20o C .generally people avoid visiting during this period.

Monsoons (June –august) the place experiences scanty of rainfall.

From October to March is the pleasant time to visit temple during this period the place has moderate climate .

Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust

PO: Shirdi Tal. Rahata Dist. Ahmednagar,  Maharashtra State, India

Phone : +91-2423-258500 ( 30 lines)

Fax No. : +91-2423-258870   P.R.O Office  +91-2423-258770

E-mail:saibaba@sai.org.in 

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