Located at a distance of 280 km from Mumbai, the pilgrim
city, Shirdi attracts tourists and devotees from all across the world to its
holy lands. It is a town located in the district of Ahmednagar in Maharashtra
and lies 185 km off the coast of the Arabian Sea. This was the place where the
saint Sai Baba lived till attaining Samadhi in the year 1918.
Shirdi is a major pilgrimage centre and scores of tourists
throng the city throughout the year. Festivals like Guru Poornima, Baba’s death
anniversary and Dussera witness lakhs of devotees visit this place. Baba’s
death anniversary is commemorated in the month of October each year, the
particular date depending on the Hindu calendar.
There are many pilgrimage places in the city. Here’s a peek
view on some of them
Dwarkamayi
(Masjid)
This is the mosque where Baba lived, preached, performed his
miraculous deeds and maintained his “Dhuni” (a sacred fire that still stays
lighted). If you are here to feel the true vibrancy of the saint, the Masjid
will impart you the essence of Baba’s aura.
Samadhi
Mandir
The primary monument visited, this is where Baba’s remains have
been buried. Baba promised he would listen and help his followers relive them
from suffering and pain even from his tomb; devotees visit his shrines to
attain absolution and fulfillment.
It is located in the heart of the town and has a free entry.
After the Samadhi Darshan, devotees visit the Gurusthan where Sai Baba was
first seen meditating by the people of Shirdi. The temple premises also have
samadhis of some of the devotees of Sai Baba.
Chavadi
This place is located next to Dwarkamayi. Each alternate
day, Baba slept in the Chavadi. Till date, Baba’s footprints are carried in a
ceremonial procession from Dwarkamayi to Chavadi on every Thursday night.
Khandoba
Raya temple
For the first time here Mahalsapati welcomed Sai Baba for
the first time, recognizing that he is not an ordinary saint. This place is
located on the highway and it is barely at a distance of 7 walking minutes from
the temple.
Getting
There
Aurangabad happens to be the closest airport. However, the
Sai Baba Sansthan owns a helipad, with permission prerequisites met; Shirdi can
be reached by helicopters too.
Kopergaon station is at a distance of 15 kilometers from the
town and extremely well connected with a numerous state buses, taxis and cabs
plying every minute specially to bring in the tourists.
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