subject: Course To Reach - Mumbai To Shirdi [print this page] Mumbai, which was earlier known as 'Bom Baia' and Bombay, has a long and diverse history. It was under the rule of many dynasties. Portuguese occupied Mumbai in 1534 and it later came under the British rule. It took a quantum leap towards modernization when the first train in India ran between Bombay Victoria Terminus and Thane in 1853. Mumbai is now the commercial capital of India.
Mumbai houses several heritage sites, particularly the Gateway of India. Other important sites Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Vasai Fort, Flora Fountain, Essel World, Water Kingdom, Prince of Wales Museum, Nehru Planetarium , Jehangir Art Gallery, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai Zoo, Taraporewala Aquarium, Chowpatty Beach, Juhu Beach, Vihar Lake, Hanging Gardens, Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Nariman Point, Marine Drive ('Queen's Necklace'), Mahalaxmi Temple, Iskcon Temple, Siddhivinayak Temple, Haji Ali Mosque, Film City, Kanheri Caves, Jogeshwari Caves, Mahalaxmi Race Course and Elephanta Island.
The distance from Mumbai to Shirdi, known as the 'Land of Sai', is approximately 296 km. The nearest airport is at Nasik situated at a distance of 75 km from Shirdi. Nasik airport has connectivity with Mumbai.
There is a railway station in Shirdi (Sainagar Shirdi), which is situated at a distance of 10 km from the town centre. Most convenient train from Mumbai to Shirdi is Shirdi Express (51033) which reaches there at 10.30 a.m. Running time of the train is about 12 hours.
Alternately travellers can catch a train from Mumbai to Manmad, which is 58 km from Shirdi, and from there take a bus or hire a taxi to Shirdi. There are several trains running between Mumbai and Manmad.
Buses and taxis ply from Manmad railway station to Shirdi. Shirdi can be reached by State Transport and private buses, a/c, non-a/c and deluxe, from Mumbai. Taxis are available from Mumbai to Shirdi which will cost about Rs.6000.
Shirdi, mostly known for great saint Shirdi Sai Baba, is a popular destination of pilgrims throughout the year. Shirdi, which is a small town spread over an area of 3 sq km, shot into fame only during 20th century.
Sai Baba, who was born in 1838, first visited the place when he was sixteen and stayed there until his death in 1918. A temple, spread over an area of 200 sq metres, was constructed in Shirdi in 1922 in Babas memory. An estimated 25000 pilgrims visit the temple daily.
Temple complex includes Khandoba, 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. Samadhi of Abdul Baba contains mortal remains of the man who used to read Quran to Sai Baba. No dearth of accommodation options in Shirdi.
