Shirdi - The Land Of Sai

Shirdi, mostly known for the great saint Shirdi Sai Baba

, is a popular destination of pilgrims throughout the year. Shirdi, situated in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, is a small town spread over an area of 3 sq km. The earlier history of Shirdi, known as the 'Land of Sai', is not known. It shot into fame only during the 20th century after his death.

Sai Baba, who was born in 1838, first visited Shirdi when he was sixteen. He stayed there until his death in 1918. A temple, spread over an area of 200 sq metres, was constructed in Shirdi in 1922 in Baba's memory. The Temple is spread over an area of 200 sq metres. An estimated 25000 pilgrims visit the temple daily.

The Temple complex includes Shri Khandoba Temple, Gurusthan, Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai, Chavadi and Lendi Baug. Maruti Temple and Shani Temple, constructed under the supervision of Shirdi Sai Baba, are the other places of attraction in Shirdi.

Shri Khandoba Temple is revered for the idol of Khandoba, along with those of Banai and Mhalsai. When Sai Baba set his foot in Shirdi for the second time, Khandoba was the place where he was welcomed. When he first landed in Shirdi, he was seen at Gurusthan. A reference to this effect is seen on a Neem tree situated in Sai-Charitra. The Baba used to rest beneath the shade of a Neem tree in the mornings and afternoons at Lendi Baug (garden).

Samadhi of Abdul Baba contains the mortal remains of the man who used to read Quran to Sai Baba. At a few minutes' distance from the cottage of Abdul Baba, Maruti Mandir is located. At this temple, Sai Baba used to conduct satsangs.

Mortal remains of Tatya, who was the son of Bayjabai, the woman whom Sai Baba referred to as his mother, are buried at Shri Tatya Kote Samadhi. Bhau Kumbhar's Samadhi houses the mortal remains of Bhau Maharaj, a devoted follower of Shirdi Sai Baba.

The State Government along with the Shirdi Municipal Council and Shri Sai Baba Sansthan are planning to provide infrastructure development in Shirdi, keeping in view of the 100th death anniversary of Sai Baba on the day of Dusshera in 2018.

The nearest airport to Shirdi is Nasik (75 km). Kopargaon, situated on the Daund-Manmad line is the nearest railway station (16 km). But Manmad, situated at a distance of 58 km from Shirdi, has better train connections. Shirdi is located at a distance of about 297 km from Mumbai and 82 km from Ahmednagar. Accommodation options in Shirdi range from high-end hotels to budget hotels. The temple town has two five-star, three four-star, 11 three-star and 17 two-star hotels besides scores of budget hotels.

by: Rashmii

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