Shirdi

Shirdi, the graceful abode of Sai Baba, is a religious town that allures devotees day and night. Sited about 300 kms from Mumbai, the town has a mystic aura about itself, which never fails to captivate even a casual sightseer. This small town is spread over an area of 2 sq kms in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Sai Baba, a great saint who lived at Shirdi for the period of 80 years and then left this corporeal world, is the main source of inspiration behind the regard and reverence for this town.

Regarding travel and tourism, Shirdi is a major religious place in India and never-ending queues outside the temple substantiates this fact. Today, Sai Samadhi Mandir is thronged by the devotees to get a glimpse of Sai Baba, whose blessings are said to heal the deepest wound. The most remarkable verity about this place is that here you will find people from all religions and communities, without any kind of discrimination, since Baba treated every person in the same manner.

Beside the shrine is the Dwarkamai, a Masjid or mosque where Sai Baba spent most of the time of his life. Till date, the hallowed fire -"dhuni" smolders here and its ash or "udhi" is given to devotees, who smear it on their foreheads. 'Guru Sthan' is the memorial, where the legend's spiritual guide took 'Samadhi'. Here, a neem tree represents the place where Sai Baba sat for the first time when he came to Shirdi. Chavadi, a place nearby, is the setting where Baba used to spend every alternate night. A large portrait of the Saint and a wooden bed are placed here.

Lendi Gardens is the place for meditation, where Baba used to come for a walk every day. To be found near the main bus stop of Shirdi is Khandoba Temple, the oldest temple in the holy town. The by-lanes, forming a labyrinth in Shirdi, are lined with shops selling religious paraphernalia, including pictures of Sai Baba himself. The devotional songs of Sai Baba reverberate in the streets of Shirdi. With firm belief and conviction, devotees come to Shirdi to seek the divine blessings of Sai Baba.

Accommodation
Accommodation facilities, both private and government, are easily available here. Being visited by numerous devotes and tourists round the year, Shirdi has more than enough places to stay. Ranging from Hotels, Guest houses to lodges, you can choose the best option as per your budget and requirement. All these places are dotted with facilities to ensure you a comfortable stay. For those who want to stay in Luxury hotels at Shirdi there is Sun N Sand Shirdi, a five star hotel. Other popular hotels at Shirdi include Hotel Goradias Shirdi, Sai Leela Shirdi, Sai Sahavas and Shraddha Park Inn Shirdi. Some of the So, visit Shirdi and get enthralled by the sheer mysticism of this holy land.

Location:	300 kms from Mumbai, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra
Attractions:	Samadhi Mandir, Guru Sthan, Khandoba Temple etc
Best Time to Visit:	June to August
How to Reach:	One can easily reach Shirdi by hiring private taxis or taking tourist buses from Mumbai.

Source: http://www.mumbai.org.uk/excursions/shirdi.html