About Shirdi
Shirdi is a small town that falls under the jurisdiction of Shirdi Nagar Panchayat, located in Ahmednagar District in the state of Maharashtra. It is located on the Ahmednagar to Manmad State Highway Number 10. Shirdi is well-known as the popular pilgrimage destination as the shrine of the late 19th century guru Sai Baba is situated here.
History of Shirdi
Shirdi was the abode of the great saint Sai Baba. He lived in Shirdi for more than 50 years of his life and developed the small village into a big pilgrimage spot for devotees who traveled from all over the world to visit this site.
Sai Baba came into this village at the age of 16 and dedicated his entire life for the elevation of the poor suffering people. The entire village has some association with Sai Baba.
The great saint breathed his last in 1918 and his Shrine is visited by thousands today.
Shirdi Demographics
| Time Zone | GMT/UTC +5:30 |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Ahmednagar |
| Area | 12.98 sq km |
| Population | 26,169 (as per 2001 census) |
| Elevation | 504 m (1,654 ft) |
| Main Languages | Marathi, Hindi, English |
| STD Code | 2423 |
| Climate | Summer 20 to 40 ° C / Winter 8 to 34 ° C |
Shirdi Tourism
Every activity in the town of Shirdi revolves around the temple complex and the shrine dedicated to Sai Baba. The town remains full all most through out the year with devotees from across the world. Devotees visit here to seek the blessings of Sai Baba and get a darshan of his life-size statue. There are special pujas and darshan of the Sai Baba statue on Thursdays. Devotees visit the Dwarkamani Mosque where Baba used to meditate and sleep on alternate nights. Close to the mosque is the eternal flame that burns night and day. There are other important temples in the area such as the Gurusthan, Shani Mandir, Kandoba Temple, Narsimha Mandir, etc. Several festivals like Ramnavami, Gurupurnima, Vijayadashmi, etc are also held here which attracts lots of tourist. The streets contain lots of shops that sell many items related with Sai Baba and his life.
FAQ's about Shirdi
When is the best time to visit Shirdi?
You can visit Shirdi throughout the year. The place is famous for its celebration of Ramnavami, Gurupurnima, Vijayadashmi and Muharram.
How many days are enough to visit the Shirdi?
Two to Three days are sufficient to explore the town of Shirdi.
What is the daily Aarti's schedule?
Aarti is held four times a day at the Samadhi at 4.30 am, noon, sunset around 6.30pm and 10.30p.m.
Where to obtain authentic information and books on Sai Baba?
Books containing authentic information in various languages are easily available at reasonable prices at the Book shops near the Samadhi Mandir.
Where to buy Puja articles from?
Essential Puja articles are available at various shops on the border of the Temple Complex.
Does Shirdi have any emergency medical services?
Medical facilities are available at the 'Shri Sainath Hospital' and a primary health center is placed near Samadhi Mandir.
Do we require any special tickets for darshan in the Mandir?
There are no tickets or fees for Darshan in Shirdi.
Shirdi Travel Tips
- If you plan to visit during festival days make sure to book Hotels and travel in advance.
- Do not miss the food provided by prasadalaya, its simple food served as Prasad of Baba.
- Sri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust Shirdi provides more services and facilities for the cost paid.
- Beware of touts who will offer accommodation and temple tours.
- Shirdi can be dusty at times, so people with allergies should carry a dust mask.
- Explore the town on foot, since all interesting sights are located within walking distance.
- Alternately, you can hire a car from your hotel to take you around town.
Last Updated on : 22/08/2013
