[ Edit ] Overview

Shirdi is synonymous with Sai Baba, the fakir saint. This tiny sacred town near Nasik was where Sai Baba was first spotted under a neem tree in deep meditation. The town is surrounded by an aura of spirituality and mysticism and attracts many followers.

Sai Baba came to Shirdi when he was 16 years old along with a marriage procession. But he stayed back in this little town and first took up residence in a Kandoba Temple where a villager respectably called him ‘Sai’ meaning Saint. Throughout his life he taught people the values of love, compassion, patience and worked for the upliftment of the poor. Sai Baba is believed to have stayed at Shirdi for 80 years. Today people come here in large numbers each day to pay homage to him at various temples in Shirdi.

As Shirdi is essentially a pilgrimage destination, all the important places to see revolve around the Sai Baba, his life and histoy.  The two most popular places for pilgrims to visit in Shirdi are the Samadhi Mandir and Dwarkamai.   The Samadhi Mandir in particular is the most important place for pilgrims to visit in Shirdi.  This temple is where special pujas and darshans are conducted and the famous marble carving of the Sai Baba sitting on a golden throne is located.  Please refer to the detailed Samadhi Mandir guide for details on temple timings and other special information.

In addition, pilgrims should also consider seeing the following in Shirdi:  Chavadi Mandir and the Sai Museum .  

Located about 300 kms away, it is possible to get to Shirdi as a Weekend Getaway from Mumbai.

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[ Edit ] History

Quick Facts

[ Edit ] State

Maharashtra

[ Edit ] Location

Shirdi is located in Ahmadnagar district, Maharastra.

[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit

Given that Shirdi is an important pilgrimage center, there is no best time per se to visit the city – i.e. it is visited throughout the year. 

However, for most devout pilgrims, the best time to visit Shirdi is between the months of September and November when many Hindu festivals occur. During this peak pilgrimage months, Dusserah and Guru Purnima are the important festivals, as well as the death anniversary of Shirdi Sai Baba. Sai Baba's death anniversary is commemorated during the month of October.  However, the exact date varies depending on the Hindu calendar.

Another point to keep in mind when planning a trip to Shirdi is that certain pooja’s are held only on certain days.  Ideally, it is best to plan a visit to Shirdi to include a Thursday when a special arti is performed at the Samadhi Mandir.

In terms of weather though, the best time to visit Shirdi is from December through March – the winter months.  Summer months (April to June), followed by monsoons (July and August), can be demanding travel as with the rest of India during those months. 

[ Edit ] Tourist Offices

Maharashtra Tourism development Corporation, Paryatan Bhavan, Golf Club, Old Agra Road, Nasik- 422002.

[ Edit ] STD Code

02423

Sightseeing

Chavadi Mandir

The Chavadi Mandir is significant to devotees not only given that the Sai Baba slept here on alternate nights, but also because it played a major role in the inception of formal worship of Baba. &...More>>>

Cottage of Abdul Baba

The house is where Baba‘s friend Abdul Baba used to live. Right opposite the Chavadi mandir, the descendants of Abdul Baba dust the holy Koran and portraits of both friends  with peacock feathers and spri...More>>>

Dwarkamai

Located to the right of the entrance to the Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai is a mosque where Baba spent approximately 60 years of his life and established his popularity and greatness.

It is tough to believe ...More>>>

Eleven Assurances of Sai Baba

Sai Baba left no written works.  His teachings were typically short, pithy sayings rather than elaborate discourses. 

Among the most notable of the Sai Baba's teachings are the eleven assur...More>>>

Guru Sthan

Sai Baba was first seen sitting under a Neem tree and the place was called Gurusthan. Later a temple was built at this spot which was renovated in 1941. This neem tree is where many devotees have been cured of their...More>>>

Lendi Baug

The park was made and tended to by Baba. Sai Baba lit an earthen lamp here called Deepgriha which is today enclosed in a glass pit to keep it burning. Lendi Baug also has a Samadhi of Shyamsunder, a horse that would...More>>>

Sai Museum

The Sai Museum is a must visit for all devotees of the Lord Sai Baba.  Maintained by the Sai Baba Sansthan of Shirdi, the Sai Museum has many of the personal belongings of the Sai Baba on display.  Th...More>>>

Samadhi Mandir

Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was owned by a millionaire from Nagpur,  Shreemant Gopalrao.  Originally,  Gopalrao wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar at this temple until he became an ardent followe...More>>>

Forecast

Sunday's forecast    Sunny. Temperature of 38°C. Winds W 16km/h. Humidity will be 31% with a dewpoint of 18° and feels-like temperature of 40°C. High: 38 °C Low: 23 °C

Monday's forecast    Mostly sunny. Temperature of 38°C. Winds WNW 16km/h. Humidity will be 40% with a dewpoint of 22° and feels-like temperature of 43°C. High: 38 °C Low: 22 °C

Tuesday's forecast    Partly cloudy. Temperature of 38°C. Winds WNW 19km/h. Humidity will be 48% with a dewpoint of 25° and feels-like temperature of 47°C. High: 38 °C Low: 22 °C

Wednesday's forecast    Partly cloudy. Temperature of 37°C. Winds WNW 18km/h. Humidity will be 46% with a dewpoint of 24° and feels-like temperature of 45°C. High: 37 °C Low: 22 °C

Thursday's forecast    Partly cloudy. Temperature of 37°C. Winds WNW 18km/h. Humidity will be 44% with a dewpoint of 23° and feels-like temperature of 44°C. High: 37 °C Low: 22 °C

Friday's forecast    Partly cloudy. Temperature of 36°C. Winds WNW 18km/h. Humidity will be 44% with a dewpoint of 22° and feels-like temperature of 42°C. High: 36 °C Low: 22 °C

Saturday's forecast    Partly cloudy. Temperature of 33°C. Winds NW 18km/h. Humidity will be 45% with a dewpoint of 20° and feels-like temperature of 36°C. High: 33 °C Low: 22 °C

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