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Brief -
  
 
Who is not familiar with this renowned abode of Saibaba? Devotees belonging to every faith, throng here to pay their respects to his memory. A holy place, famous for the mystic saint Sai Baba, Shirdi has none of the regular tourist attractions, but thousands of Indians and non-Indians visit the tiny town, to seek blessings, at the shrine of Shri Sai Baba. This seer appeared mysteriously in Shirdi and dedicated his life, to helping the poor and the sick. Devotees regard him as an incarnation of Lord Shiva, but his teachings transcend all religions and beliefs. Worshipped with great reverence, he is especially famous, amongst all the Indian film industrialists and businessmen.
  
 
 
 
History -
 
 

Until 1918, Shirdi was a sleepy little village, tucked away in the interiors of Maharashtra. In that year, an old sage died, leaving behind grieving villagers. Even today, the last few surviving elders of the village, vividly recall the miraculous wonders of the sage. This revered sage Sai Baba, was their mentor and prophet. Shirdi has none of the regular tourist attractions, but thousands of Indians and non-Indians visit the tiny town, to seek blessings at the shrine of Shri Sai Baba. This seer appeared mysteriously in Shirdi, sometime in the middle of the 19th century and dedicated his life, to helping the poor and the sick. Devotees regard him as an incarnation of the Lord ,but his teachings transcend all religions and beliefs. On 15th October, 1918, Shri Sai Baba entered samadhi.

  
 
 
 
Culture -
 
 
Sai Baba's fame, has spread far and wide. His devotees are scattered all over the world. They regularly visit Shirdi to pay their homage to this great Saint of Shirdi. Sai Baba's shrine has been incorporated, as one of the holy places in the map of the world's pilgrimage centers. Sai Baba preached no particular religion. In fact, he believed in and respected all religions. Devotees belonging to every faith, throng here, to pay their respects to his memory. Thursday is the special day, and Ramnavmi, Guru Pournima and Dassera fairs are organised on a large scale.
  
     
  Climate & Geographical Location -  
  It is hot and sultry in summer and cool and pleasant in winter. Shirdi is 97 Km away from Nashik.  
 
 
 
How to Reach -
  
 
Shirdi is well connected by rail, road and air. By air, the nearest airports are Mumbai at 260 Km, Pune at 185 Km and Aurangabad at 125 Km. By rail, the nearest railhead is Kopargaon at 15 Km on the Manmad-Daund section. But the convenient railhead is Nasik as it is well connected to Mumbai, Nagpur, Raipur, Jamshedpur, Kolkata and other parts of the country. By road, State transport buses ply regularly from Mumbai. Nashik, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Pune, Kopargaon. MTDC runs a bi-weekly round trip bus service to Shirdi from Mumbai. Taxis and buses are easily available at Manmad station for transfer to Shirdi.
 
 
 
 
: T O U R I S T   P L A C E S :
  
 
 
 
Samadhi Mandir -
  
 
Babas Samadhi, built with white marble stones, has a marble railing around it, that is full of ornamental decorations. Two silver pillars hold fort in front of the Samadhi, while just behind it, is Sai Baba's marvellous statue, seated on a throne, made of Italian marble. The temple routine starts at 5.00 in the morning, with Bhoopali, a morning song, and closes at 10.00 pm after Shejarati is sung. The temple is kept open overnight only on three occasions - on Gurupoornima, Dassera and Ramnavami. Every Thursday and on each festival, a palkhi (palanquin) with Babas photo is taken out from the temple.
  
 
 
 
Dwarkamai -
  
 
Dwarkamai is situated on the right side of the entrance of the Samadhi Mandir. Shri Sai Baba came to Shirdi with a marriage procession and stayed at Dwarkamai, till the very end of his life. Here, he solved problems of the people, cured their sickness and worries. Before Baba's arrival in Shirdi, Dwarkamai, was an old mosque, in a dilapidated condition. People believe that Baba turned it into Dwarkamai and proved that God is One.
  
 
 
 
Gurusthan -
  
 
Sai Baba first came to Shirdi in the form of Bal Yogi - a child ascetic. He was first spotted, seated under a Neem tree, which later came to be known as Gurusthan. The renovation of Gurusthan, was done on September 30, 1941. There is a small shrine in Gurusthan, which has a big portrait of Baba, on an elevated platform, as well as a marble statue. In front of the portrait are a Shivling and the Nandi. Photos of 12 Jyotirlingas are kept in the temple. At a short distance, lies the Babas Chavadi. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day.
  
 
 
  Lendi Baug -  
 
At some distance from Gurusthan, is the Lendi Baug, a garden built and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a Nalla (drain), which used to previously flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a Neem Tree.
  
 
 
 
Khandoba Mandir -
  
 
This temple is situated on the main road. It is in front of this temple, that Baba was welcomed with the words, Aao Sai, when he stepped in Shirdi. The temple has icons of Khandoba, Banai and Mhalsai.
  
     
 
Others -
  
 
 
 
SHANI SHINGNAPUR - Have you ever heard of a village having doorless houses? Shani Shinganapur, a village is famous as a pilgrimage, as well as for its doorless mystery. The houses here have gaping, rectangular spaces at the facade of every home.