A lot of detailed information regarding travel to Shirdi

[Guest guest]

Om Sai Ram

Since past many years, alot of Sai devotees have sent me an email to inquire

details abt their travel to Shirdi.One of my friends, Sai devotee- Rohit Behal

did send out a helpful mail yesterday regarding this issue . However, there were

many details that I had in addition to the information that he provided. So , I

have combined  all the information that Rohit Behal sent yesterday and the

information that I have been giving out to devotees and put all the important

details in one mail. The below mail will be very useful to everyone travelling

to Shirdi specially the ones travelling from foreign countries. So save this

email and fwd it to Sai devotees whom u think may benefit from it. If for some

reason, there are any broken links in this email - You can always access this

info at http://sairadio.blogspot.com/ or http://debu7366.blogspot.com/

May Sai baba's blessings always be with us .

Sai bhakt

Deepa H

 

Mumbai to Shirdi - Airport/Taxi/Bus/Trains and other important details::

Devotees going to Shirdi by Air:

The distance between Mumbai to shirdi is approx 260 kms. Mumbai airport is also

the closest international airport to reach shirdi. So Sai devotees who wish to

come to india especially for shirdi darshan can come to mumbai and then take a

Bus ,taxi ,train or a flight to shirdi.The nearest airport to shirdi used to be,

Aurangabad ( 126 kms ) but very recently major steps have been taken to have the

airport close to the Samadhi mandir .The airport is scheduled to come up at

Kakadi village, around 15 kilometres from Shirdi in Ahmednagar district. But As

for now ,most devotees who travel from abroad have to reach Mumbai airport

first. And then take a flight to Shirdi. You can also go to shirdi from Pune .

The only airlink to the holy city is a Jagson Airlines 26-seater helicopter

service that connects Mumbai and Shirdi with a daily service. Make sure you book

ur air ticket in advance by going to

http://www.jagsonairline.com/schedule.htm -

 

Devotees going to Shirdi by bus::

The easiest way to get to Shirdi is by bus. It takes up to 7 hrs. If you fly

into the Mumbai airport, hire a taxi (the ones that are in lines at the very

front of the airport) to take you to the Dadar Bus Stand. The cost is about

Rs.-150 to Rs.-200 (make sure they turn the meter on). There are also people who

will try to redirect you to their own " private " taxis. These " private " taxis

charge between Rs. 400 to Rs. 600 just to take you to the Dadar Bus Stand. At

the Dadar Bus Stand, there are long lines of small ticket counters that sell bus

tickets to Shirdi. Preferably, try to get an A/C direct bus ( around Rs.-300

-however, the prices keep changing with time so....this is just a rough

estimate). If you are not able to get an A/C direct bus, get a non-A/C direct

bus (Rs.-150).[Prices may vary a little] Buses leave almost every 3 hours from

Mumbai to Shirdi. So your wait will not be long. The buses make about 2 stops

for food. The restaurants are

non-vegetarian. So make sure you pack some snacks and bottled water for the

trip. Keep an eye on your luggage! Some buses goes to Nasik and then to shirdi

others take a short cut avoiding nasik.Bus route - Mumbai- Nashik- Niphad- Yeola

- Shirdi. Distance between Pune to shirdi - 190 KmsBus route - Pune- Kalamba-

sangmner- Talegaon- shirdiDistance between Aurangabad to Shirdi 126 kms.Bus

route - Aurangabad- Vaijapur Yeola- Kopargaon-Shirdi. Try to get a bus that

departs before 11am so you will not arrive too late at Shirdi. There are buses

to shirdi which starts even at 11 pm but if you are travelling alone -Plz be

aware that it is not safe specially for female Sai devotees .Ofcourse everyone

says Saibaba is there to protect. But still You also need to plan your trip

safely.If your flight arrives late night to Mumbai airport or too early in the

morning, better stay in a friends house or in a hotel in mumbai . There are few

near the airport. I really

don’t have any idea about the budget of the Hotels in mumbai. But they can be

quite expensive. If your flight arrives early morning 2 am to 4 am , wait in

airport for 2 hours and then take taxi to Dadar to take Bus to Shirdi.Theres a

cabin inside airport campus itself to book taxi or you can check

http://www.merucabs.com/ .

For Private Bus (Volvos) Related queries ie - Bookings,Fares,Route,Pick-up/Drop

Point - http://www.redbus.in/

For State Transport Buses -

http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/shirdi/how_to_reach.asp

Mumbai To Shirdi Route Map -

http://www.shirdihotelsonline.com/mumbai-shirdi-india-map/

Also check out the below link

http://www.travel.bixee.com/cheap/bus-tickets/from/Mumbai/to/Shirdi/20090428/Non\

e/1/0/0/#bus-Mumbai-Shirdi-20090428--1-0-0-1

http://www.onlinebustickets.in/bus-from/shirdi-to-mumbai/

 

Devotees going to Shirdi by taxi/cab::

Hiring a car can take you shirdi with in 5 to 6 hours.Cabs from Mumbai to Shirdi

cost abt Rs 3500 to 6000 INR for one way. ( approx 90 $ to 150 $ ) .. Must be

within 12,000 R.s for two way if you return within a day...I found these

websites while browsing online- I have never used any of them for my travel nor

do I know anything much abt them but here r some links for you to check out

http://www.travelcool.co.in/MumbaiShirdiMumbai.aspx

http://classifieds.karnataka.com/bangalore/travels/travel-agentstour-operator/au\

rangabad-mumbai-shirdi-nasik-pune.html

http://www.shirditaxi.info/

http://lucknow.quikr.com/c-Cars-Bikes-Rent-A-Car-Taxi-Services-MUMBAI-PUNE-SHIRD\

I-MUMBAI-TAXI-CAB-09867306024-W0QQAdIdZ63353459

http://www.ecabs.in/SHIRDI/tabid/378/language/en-US/Default.aspx

 

Devotees going to Shirdi by Train::

Sai Nagar Shirdi Railway station :A new Railway station has been build in shirdi

called Sai Nagar. Its just 3-4 kms from the Main saibaba temple in shirdi.

Go to this link to find the fares and seat information for trains going to

Shirdi.On the upper left hand corner, choose from the from and to station

options and press search trains. For example if u r in Mumbai, type that and for

shirdi -type , -Sainagar

http://indiarailinfo.com/train/2896

also www.indianrail.gov.in/index.html &

http://www.trainenquiry.com/ to check for train seat bookings or availability.

For booking train tickets online

http://www.irctc.co.in/

You can also go to

http://www.irctc.com/

http://www.yatra.com/

http://www.cleartrip.com/

 

Things to know during your travel to Shirdi:

A majority of the people do not speak English inside or outside of the Temple

Complex at Shirdi. Most of the people who speak English are the ones who run the

larger hotels. Purchase anti-diarrheal medications before you leave to Shirdi.

The Temple Complex has two main places for you to keep your shoes (cost is 1

rupee). If you are wearing chappals or sandals, you have to store them at a

separate shoe counter. This is perhaps the most confusing part of the ashram. I

would suggest you buy some cheap sandals, mark you name on them and find a place

to put them in case you get confused about the shoe counters. Just remember

where you put your sandals, because when you come out of from the Darshan area,

you are on the opposite side of the Temple Complex. I was not able to find any

sort of public internet facilities when I was at Shirdi. Shirdi does have

telephone services for local, state and international calls. When booking a

return bus ticket to Bombay,

make sure you get the earliest bus (it takes 7 hours to get to Bombay) and make

sure the bus is A/C (costs around Rs.-300-400). Try to sit on the left hand side

of the bus so you can keep an eye on your luggage, which is stored in a

compartment below the bus. The boys who sell flowers, pictures and statues can

be very stubborn and will literally follow your for hours. If you would like to

help them out (most are very poor), make your purchases a few hours prior to

leaving Shirdi. Otherwise, you will attract large groups of sellers. A small

bundle of roses (about 3-4 roses tied together) costs Rs.-3, if you would like

to offer flowers in the temple.

 

Inside The Temple::

Once you go inside the Temple for Darshan, you can expect long lines if it is a

Holy Day or a thursday or a weekend. Otherwise, you will not have to wait long

at all. Avoid Holy Days (the lines are extremely long and the wait can easily

exceed 5 hours). You can expect police officers and Temple workers to be

screaming loudly at people to hurry up and move forward. I would suggest you get

in the furthest left-hand side line. In that line, you can touch Sai Baba's

actual samadhi and the silver chappals that are located there. You can offer

flowers and there are places where you can offer money. As soon as you offer

your flowers and touch his samadhi, kindly leave the area. Winters are the best

season to visit Shirdi. The months from September to April being the ideal

period. The daytime temperature is pleasant during this period, making the days

excellent for visiting the tourist attractions of the town. The summers can get

very hot (May-August). Make sure

you drink bottled water.

 

Map of temple complex can be found at :

http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/shirdi/map.asp

The temple premises of Shri Saibaba is spread in approximately 200 sq. mtrs.It

is situated in the heart of Shirdi village and is a major center of

pilgrimagefrom all over the world.On an average, daily 20,000 devotees visit

Shirdi village, to have the Darshan of Shri Saibaba. In the festival season,

more than 1,00,000 devotees visit the Temple everyday.The Temple premises is

renovated in the year 1998-99 and now is equipped with all necessary facilities

like, Darshan Lane, Prasada (Lunch and Dinner), Donation Counters, Prasad

Counters, Canteen, Railway Reservation Counter, Book Stall etc. The

Accommodation Facilities are also provided by the Sansthan.

http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/shirdi/accommodation.asp

 

Places To Visit In Shirdi::

Sai Baba's place Shirdi (Maharashtra State) is a very sacred, powerful and

important place of pilgrimage in India.

Khandoba Mandir: This place is near Shirsainath Hospital. Baba stepped here in

Shirdi at the foot of banyan tree near Khandoba Temple along with Chand Patil's

wife's nephew's marriage party. The then Pujari Mhalsapati welcome Him by

calling " Ya Sai " .

Gurusthan Mandir: This is the place where Baba first appeared to the world as a

boy of 16 years & this place is supposed to be Baba's Gurusthan. the famous

Margosa (Neem) tree is here. it has a reference in Shri Sai Sat-charita.

Devotees claim that their ailments are cured by burning incense here on Thursday

& Friday. So dont forget to burn incense there even if it is not a thursday or

friday.

Sai Baba's Samadhi Mandir: This is the place where Sacred Body of Baba is

resting in Samadhi. The articles handled by Baba are preserved & displayed here

in a special showroom. All rituals consisting of Pooja. Abhishek & daily four

Aratis are performed here. The Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually

owned by a millionaire from Nagpur and a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao,

also known as 'Butti Wada'. He wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar there.

However, according to the legends, Sai Baba manifested himself as Murlidhar and

the temple became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba. The Samadhi of Baba is built with

white marble stones. The railings around it are full of ornamental decorations.

The idol of Baba is a marvelous statue made up of Italian marble built by Late

Balaji Vasant in 1954. The temple has an assembly hall for about 600 devotees.

The first floor of the temple has the pictures depicting the life of the saint.

The temple opens on 5 AM

with morning prayers and close down at 10 PM with night prayers.

Dwarkamai (Masjid): Baba stayed at this place continuously for 60 years.

Innumerable devotees got blessing of Baba here. The Shila (Stone) on which Baba

used to sit is located nearby. Also Sacred Fire (Dhuni) lit by Baba is ever

burning here. Baba used to give Sacred Udi (Ash) to the devotees to solve their

problems in life. Udi distributed to the devotees now is only from this Dhuni.

Baba used to cook food here for distribution to devotees. Main attraction of the

site is the oil paintings of the sage. If possible, try to read Shri Sai

Satcharitra over here. You will find a lot of peace with in you after you do

that.

Chawdi Mandir: On every alternate day Baba used to proceed in procession from

Dwarkamai to this place at night & halt & sleep here. Now also on every Thursday

Palanquin procession of Baba's Photo. Holy Padukas & Satka is taken to this

place between 9.15 p.m. & 10.00 p.m. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One

part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a

white chair belonging to him.

Lendi Baug: At some distance from Gurusthan, there is the Lendi Baug. This

garden was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a nullah

(a drain), which used to flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and

afternoon and take rest under a neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep, under

the neem tree and kept a deep (a lighting object) lit in that pit. An octagonal

deepgriha (lighthouse) called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone in

memory of this place. It constantly burns in a glass box. On one side of the

deepgriha is a pipal tree and on the other side is a neem tree. There is also

Datta Mandir in this garden & Shri Sai Baba's deloyed Horse

'Shamkarna'(Shamsunder) is taking Eternal Rest here. There is also a well here

called as 'Baba's Shivdi'.

Other Places: The Samadhis of Shri Tatya Patil Kote, Shri Bhau Maharaj Kumbhar,

Shri V.Padmanabha Iyer, Shri Nanawali & Shri Abdul Baba who were ardent Bhaktas

closely associated with Shri Sai Baba during His life time are located in

Sansthan premises near lendhi Baug.

In addition 3 other Temples are in Temples premises complex : 1) Shri Ganesh

Temple, 2) Shri Shani Temple & 3) Shri Mahadev Temple

Nearby Sites:

Situated around 5 km from Shirdi is Sakori. The place is home to the Upasini

Maharaj. Shanisinghnapur is 70 km from Shirdi. A temple devoted to Shani is

located there.

 

Staying in Shirdi :

Shirdi has a lot of good hotels as per one’s requirements.

5 Star accommodation : Sun-n-Sand hotel (http://www.sunnsandhotel.com/)

Mid-range luxury hotel : Sai Leela Hotel (http://www.hotelsaileela.com/)

MTDC Hotels : Pilgrims Inn Shirdi (http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/)

Shirdi Sai Sansthan’s Cheaper Accomodation : Shirdi Sai Sansthan provides

cheaper accommodation. For more details please visit the site

(http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/shirdi/shirdi/accommodation.asp\

)

For more hotels with their price details ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 4000:

http://www.holidayiq.com/Shirdi-Hotels-Resorts-Reviews-Rating-Tariff-550-20-yes-\

destination.html

 

Useful tips for travellers from foreign countries:

Special VIP Pass :

For overseas devotees, the Shirdi Sai Sansthan provides special passes, which

can be obtained from the PRO office, near to the Nanda-Deep.Foreigners can show

their passports to get the VIP pass.

Ipods, Mp3 players,Cameras & Mobile Phones :

Photography/video shooting is not permitted in the temple premises, and the

temple staff is quite strict about this rule.Cameras and mobile phones are not

allowed inside the temple. But there are locker facilities available, for

depositing the camera and mobile phones, within the temple complex. But if I

were you, I would just leave it in my hotel room or in my car.And specially your

ipods and mp3 players, I got stuck once for that so make sure all those hi tech

stuff is taken care of before you decide to go to samadhi mandir.

 

Driving directions from Mumbai to Shirdi::

http://www.oktatabyebye.com/travel-directions/driving-directions-from-Mumbai-to-\

Shirdi.html

 

For more information about the temple log onto:

http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/

Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, (Shirdi)

PO: Shirdi Tal. Rahata Dist. Ahmednagar

Pin-423109

Tel No:+ 91-2423-258500

Fax: office 91-2423-258870 & P.R.O, Office 91-2423- 258770.

E-mail: saibaba

URL : http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/

http://www.sai.org.in/

 

Daily program schedule in Shirdi::

http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/shirdi/dailyprograms.asp

 

Important festivals in Shirdi with dates::

http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/shirdi/festivals.asp

 

 

 

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu

 

Gurur Devoh Maheshwar;

 

Gurur Shakshat Parambramha

 

Tashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah "

 

May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and

remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck,

success and happiness with peace of mind.

Sai bhakt,

Deepa H

Blog dedicated to Shri Shirdi Saibaba : http://debu7366.blogspot.com/ 

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Saibaba temple directory: http://www.omsrisai.net/saitemples.php