Shirdi

The Abode of Sai Baba

Planning for a trip to Shirdi? Still, confused as to which places to visit in Shirdi?

If you are looking forward to visiting Shirdi, then I assure these are the places near Shirdi which you cannot miss to visit:

Let me tell you the most interesting facts about Shirdi.

As everyone knows, the place is known for its religious importance all around the globe. Sai Baba was born in Shirdi. So, popularly, Shirdi is known as “Land of Sai“. The place has many heritage sites which attract tourists from foreign as well. Shirdi is considered to be a benchmark place in terms of religious perspective making an impeccable remark on the minds of people.

 SAI BABA SAMADHI MANDIR

Shri Sai Baba is revered as one of the greatest saints ever seen in India, endowed with unprecedented powers, and is worshipped as a God incarnate. SAI meaning Sakshaat Ishwar – GOD THE ABSOLUTE.  He was an Indian spiritual master who is regarded by his devotees as a saint, a fakir, a satguru and an incarnation (avatar) of Lord Shiva.

To his devotees, Baba is nothing less than a GOD. This has been a matter of experience and not imaginary.

“I look on all with an equal eye” – Sai Baba

An outstanding aspect of Sai Baba is that he is beyond distinctions of religion, caste or creed. He embodied all religions and preached the “Universal religion of Love”.

Sai Baba Samadhi Temple premises of Shri Saibaba is spread in approximately 200 sq. meters. It is situated in the heart of Shirdi village and is a major center of pilgrims from all over the world. On an average, daily 25,000 devotees visit Shirdi village, to have the Darshan of Shri Saibaba. In the festival season, more than 1,00,000 devotees visit the Temple every day.

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 DWARKAMAI SHIRDI

Shri Sai Baba came to Shirdi with a marriage procession. Lord Sai baba stayed at Dwarkamai till the very end of his life. Dwarkamai is situated on the right of the entrance of Samadhi Mandir. Here god Sai Baba solved problems of the people, cured their sickness and worries.

The first level of Dwarkamai has a portrait of Baba and a big stone on which Baba used to sit. This level has two rooms. One contains the chariot and the second a palkhi. Just in front of the room where the chariot is kept is a small temple. A saffron flag flies over it. The second level of Dwarkamai has a square stool made of stone, which Baba used for taking a bath.

The main attraction of this place is the oil painting of Shri Sai Baba sitting in a carved wooden shrine. This level also has the grinding stone and the wooden vessel called Kolamba in which Baba used to keep the Bhiksha brought from the village

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 SHANI SHINGNAPUR TEMPLE

Shani Shingnapur is a village located in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra. It is about 35 km from Ahmednagar. It is famous, far and wide, as the shrine of countless devotees. The number of its unbelievable miracles finds its place of pride in The Guinness book of World Records.

The spectacle of the deity in black stone is overwhelming. A unique aspect of this place is, that no temple structure houses the Shanidev. There is only a simple platform on which stands the Swayambhu Idol, in black stone.

Unlike other pilgrimage centres, devotees here can perform puja or abhishek or other religious rituals themselves. One of the unique aspects of the village Shiganapur is that houses here have no door- frames or locks on them for safety. They are in fact not needed. The people here believe that it is the benediction of the god that no crime ever occurs in this village.

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 KHANDOBA TEMPLE

Khandoba temple is well maintained neat and calm place. It is 15 ft long and 15 ft in breath commemorated with a small shrine and Padukas as its base.

A stone idol of Lord Khandoba is located in the central shrine of the temple. Also, Idols of Lord Sai Baba and Mhlasapti are inscribed as a remembrance of the event of Lord Baba coming to Shirdi.

When it comes to visiting this place for daily rituals now, two aartis at 12 noon and 6:00 PM are performed daily.

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 DIXITWADA MUSEUM

Showcasing some of Sai Baba’s personal belongings, the Dixit Wada museum offers visitors an interesting insight into his simple and pious life. One must visit this place as it is considered one of the important heritage sites of India.

It was established by Kakasaheb Dixit in the year 1911 on Ram Navami with Baba’s permission.

The museum displays a number of black and white pictures of Sai Baba with his disciples and some of his personal belongings like:

• Robes
• Pipe
• Leather Padukas (footwear)
• Gramophone Records
• Cooking Utensils
• Water Tumblers.

Visiting these beautiful and cultural heritage sites will surely make you feel invigorated and sacred. These places, with its peaceful environment, are the best place one can visit with their family!!

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