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History

Shirdi is a small village in Kopargam taluk in Ahmadnagar District of the Maharashtra State. When Sai Baba, the great ascetic first arrived from Panthri village in Maharashtra in 1858 to Shirdi, it was only a tiny hamlet of 80 thatched houses with mud walls. A man of principle, Sai Baba, as he was lovingly called by his Hindu and Muslim followers, devoted his entire life in teaching the common path of Hinduism and Islam. He always believed and professed “Sabka malik ek” (meaning one God governs all). He spent the last years of his life in Shirdi until he attained the ‘mahasamadhi’ (left his physical body) on 15 October 1918. Even years after his death, devotees throng this religious place round the year to pay their tributes

Shirdi is an important spiritual and religious destination for both Hindus and Muslims, as the town of the revered saint Sai Baba. The history of the town is notable only for the life of this saint.

In 1854, locals discovered a 16-year-old boy meditating under a neem tree. The tranquility, wisdom, and spiritual powers of this young boy attracted many followers and he spent the next six decade of his life in this village. Sai Baba was a much-loved father figure for the entire community. In his lifetime, Sai Baba worked tirelessly in service of the poor and wretched. He performed many miracles and helped innumerable lost souls. The wealthier among his followers often paid rich homage to the saint, and he just as predictably donated this money to the poor. Sai Baba’s message was carried forward by these followers and the little village attracted many more visitors.

Sai Baba died in Shirdi in 1918, since when the town has gained importance as a spiritual destination. Unremarkable in its architecture or layout, the town is nothing more than one main road and a maze of by-lanes, but it radiates a kind of peace that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Getting Around
Not a very big town, Shirdi has grown around its main attraction - the Sai Baba temple - almost all major sights and sounds are all within walking distances from anywhere in Shirdi. Cycle rickshaws are available easily, and are the best way to explore locally.

Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir

The great Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir is located at the heart of the quaint town of Shirdi. When Sai Baba, the great ascetic first arrived from Panthri village in Maharashtra in 1858 to Shirdi, it was only a tiny hamlet of 80 thatched houses with mud walls. A man of principle, Sai Baba, as he was lovingly called by his Hindu and Muslim followers, devoted his entire life in teaching the common path of Hinduism and Islam. He always believed and professed “Sabka malik ek” (meaning one God governs all). All his life he opposed religious orthodoxy and worked in spreading communal harmony. He spent the last years of his life in Shirdi until he attained the ‘mahasamadhi’ (left his physical body) on 15 October 1918. Even years after his death, devotees throng this religious site round the year to pay their tributes.

The temple complex highlights the mausoleum of Shri Sai Baba constructed in pure white marble by a wealthy Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao Buti from Nagpur in 1917-18. He wished to set up the idol of Muralidhar (a Hindu deity), but legend has it that there came a makeover of Baba on the Muralidhar idol, and thus came to be the samadhi (memorial) of Sai Baba. Browse the temple and appreciate its exquisite silver pillars adorned with elaborate designs. You will also come across an impressive collection of photographs and artifacts on the first floor recounting the life of the saint. Just behind the samadhi is the life-giving statue of Sai Baba in Italian marble that shows him seated on a throne, with an open silver umbrella over him. This beautiful statue was carved by late Balaji Vasant and put up on 7 October 1954. Pilgrims can assemble at the huge prayer hall in front of the main building that accommodates up to 600 devotees, while a section of the hall showcases different things used by Sai Baba in the course of his life.

Dixit Wada Museum

A very interesting museum, Dixit Wada located at the centre of the Sansthan complex in Shirdi, is a store house of memorabilia of the great ascetic, Sai Baba. It is a charming and compact museum housing an impressive collection of rare black and white photographs of Sai Baba. You will also come across a display of his kafni (the long robes), leather padukas (footwear) and his smoking pipe. Look-out for the gramophone records, water tumblers, cooking utensils and a bathing stone which were all used by Baba. After paying your obeisance at Samadhi Mandir, a trip to the Dixit Wada Museum is highly recommended for every first-timer to Shirdi.

Maruti Temple

The old Maruti Temple was of special significance to Sai Baba as he used to come here religiously. It is located half way between Dwarkamai and Chavadi, just a few minutes from Abdul Baba’s cottage. Sai Baba would hold satsangs (religious sermons) here along with Devidas, a bal yogi (young devout) who used to reside in this temple about 10-12 years before Baba’s coming to Shirdi. It is believed that Maruti Temple is the only temple besides Khandoba in the Shirdi village to have direct association with the life of the benevolent saint, Sai Baba. According to legend, Baba used to often make mysterious signs towards Maruti Temple while passing it in a palanquin procession. Interestingly, this is a south-facing temple which is quite uncommon in Hindu religion. Visit this temple for its old-world aura, and many fascinating legends.

Surface

There are many buses connecting Shirdi to cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Nashik. The road connectivity between Mumbai and Shirdi is good, except in certain stretches. Convenient overnight buses also ply on this route. It takes around 7 hours from Mumbai to Shirdi by bus. You can even drive to Shirdi or hire a taxi from one of the many car rental companies. This small town is accessible via the Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10, approximately 83 kilometers (52 miles) from Ahmednagar and 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Kopargaon. Shirdi is approx. 240 kilometers (150 miles) from Mumbai on the Eastern Express Highway.

Train

Shirdi is accessible on the Central Railway line; get off at Manmad (65 kilometers/41 miles from Shirdi) or at Kopergaon (18 kilometers/11.25 miles).

Air

Shirdi does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airports are at Mumbai (296 kilometers/185 miles) and Pune (183 kilometers/114 miles).