Visiting Shirdi
This page last updated:23 September 2012
Visiting Shirdi
Shirdi is is a village north-east of Mumbai and has an extensive temple complex devoted to Shirdi Sai Baba. It is located by road on Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10 at 83 kilometres from Ahmednagar, and 15 kilometres from Kopargaon.
Shirdi may be reached by air to Aurangabad, and thence by road; or by Deluxe Bus, or by Rail to the newly opened ShirdiSaiNagar Railway Station, opened in 2009
Welcome sign at Shirdi
p>Every activity at Shirdi revolves around the
vast temple complex dedicated to Sai Baba. Devotees enter the complex through one of four gates:
This is Gate №1 - which is an entry into the temple premises and for Mukh Darshan, i.e, darshan of Baba's face from a distance - from the raised platform.
After entering Gate №1, you may freely roam in the temple premises, take Udi (sacred ash, as in Vibhuti) see Abdul Baba's Samadhi, Tatya's samadhi, Nanavali's samadhi, the Sai Baba Museum and walk to Dwarakamayi, but there is no entrance to Lendi Bagh or Baba's Well. This gate is opposite the Public Relations Office, adjacent Nanda Deep. There is no exit from this gate.
On the north side of the temple, on Pimpalwadi Road, is Main Gate №2 which was earlier used as an entry and exit gate. At present is closed and not in use. Instead, just besides it on the Pimpalwadi Road itself is the entry gate for all devotees without any passes. This entry takes one directly into the first waiting hall from where the darshan queues, after moving along through spiraling long stretch of steel barricaded halls and via stairs, finally leads upto the Samadhi of Baba.
Through the steel barricades at Shirdi
To the Samadhi of Baba
Gate № 3
On the east side, in the lane going inside from Pimpalwadi Road is Gate №3 which is used mainly for exit out of the temple premises towards Mukh Darshan, the Hanuman temple and Baba's Shri Chavadi.
If one enters through this gate, on the left hand side comes the Mukh Darshan entry while on the right hand side is an entrance used for the senior citizens special entry during peak periods.
This gate is also used as an entry for senior citizens, physically challenged persons and those who are unable to walk. One adult is allowed to accompany a physically challenged person to darshan.
NRI and Foreigners, if they produce evidence of nationality to the Guards on the Gate may be allowed to enter by this gate.
Devotees enter Dwarkamayi at Shirdi
Old View - Sai Baba Chavadi at Shirdi
Recent View - Devotees enter Sai Baba Chavadi at Shirdi
Current View - Devotees enter Sai Baba Chavadi at Shirdi
For devotees who want to just have a darshan of babas samadhi idol from far, they can enter the temple from a door marked as "Q" on the shirdi guide map above. This entry is just at the beginning of Main Gate №3 on the left hand side.
Entry to Hall for Darshan Queue at Shirdi
Getting there:
Approaching Shirdi by road
Plane
Nearest airport is Aurangabad ~ A new terminal has recently been constructed. This is serviced by Indian Airlines from Delhi and Mumbai. Jet Airways fly to Aurangbad from Mumbai, and JetLite fly from Delhi. Kingfisher Airlines fly to Aurangbad from Mumbai. A Rs 303 crore project has been announced, which includes the construction of an Airport at Shirdi Sai Nagar.
New Terminal Building at Aurangbad
Train to Shirdi
First Train to new Shirdi Sai Nagar Railway Station
The railway line was extended from Putumba to Shirdi, project commencing in 2003.
First train arrives at Shirdi Sai Nagar
The station is Shirdi Sai Nagar - trains ply to Shirdi from Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore and Viskapatnam. Online reservations available, here, and you can check for seat availability on www.trainenquiry.com
Shirdi Sai Nagar Railway Station
CST Time Table for train 2896 is available here. Be aware that additional services are put on during peak periods, and services may be extended beyond Sai Nagar to other destinations. Hence, you should check time tables very carefully.
Shirdi Sai Nagar Railway Platform
Car and Bus
Mumbai-Shirdi,296 kms. (Mumbai-Nashik-Niphad-Yeola-Shirdi - Around 7 t9 9 hours drive)
Taxi
PRINCE CARRIERS
635 M. JOSHI ROAD, PARSI COLONY, DADAR,
MUMBAI 400 014
Email: rusidinu [at-symbol] gmail.com
rusdin [at-symbol] vsnl.com
Tel: 91 98452 17884
91 90357 72090
91 98205 43027
Prince Carriers are located close to the airport at Mumbai. About twenty minutes away. They charge for a return trip from Bombay to Shirdi Rs. 4500/- for a non A/C car and Rs. 5600/- for an A/C car.
Sai Baba Museum at Shirdi
Accommodation
As for the accommodation in Shirdi the tariff is from Rs. 1500/- to Rs. 3000/- and it goes to upto Rs. 8000/- if you require a Suite. A Google Search on Accommodation AND Shirdi brings brings these results.
Golden Spire at Shirdi
Well used by Sai Baba at Shirdi
Shirdi Live Darshan
Shirdi Sai live darshan http://debu7366.blogspot.com:80/