A sleepy little village in the interiors of Maharashtra, Shirdi came into prominence when an old sage died in 1918. The saga of Sai Baba of Shirdi started in the middle of the last century when, as a boy of about 16 years of age, he first appeared here under a neem tree (Azadirachta indica) absorbed in a hard penance. For the next 60 years, He devoted his life for the upliftment of the poor and suffering. His origin, religion, and early life are shrouded in mystery, and though He is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva, his teachings transcended all religions and beliefs.
Today, all places, persons, and possessions connected with him have become objects of veneration by millions of devotees who throng to Shirdi every year from all parts of the world. Sai Baba’s shrine has been incorporated as one of the holy places in the world’s map of pilgrimage.
Samadhi Mandir : The Mandir is built with stones and Baba’s Samadhi is built with white marble stones. A railing is built in marble around the Samadhi, full of ornamental decorations. In front of the Samadhi are two silver pillars full of decorative designs. Just behind the Samadhi is Sai Baba’s marvelous statue made of Italian marble, which shows him seated on a throne. This idol was made by the late Balaji Vasant.
This statue was installed on 7th October 1954. Above the statue is an open, silver umbrella. The front of the Mandir has an assembly hall where about 600 devotees can be accommodated. Here is a show-case where various things handled by Baba are kept. On the first floor of the Mandir are pictures depicting the life of Baba.
The routine of the temple starts at 5 o’clock in the morning with Bhoopali, a morning song, and closes at 10 o’clock in the night after Shejarati is sung. Only on three occasions the temple is kept open overnight .ie. on Gurupoornima, Dassera, and Ramnavami. Every Thursday and on each fesitival, a Palkhi with Baba’s photo is taken out from the temple.
If there is one thing that you never need to worry about in Shirdi, it’s accommodation. The place simply teems with hotels to suit every conceivable budget -- from the nominally priced accommodation (for a few rupees) offered by the Sansthan to the 5 star services offered by the Sun N Sand Hotel.
It is useful to note that Shirdi has only one 3 star, one 4 star and one 5 star hotel: Sai Leela, Goradia’s and Sun N Sand, respectively.
Hotel Goradia’s Pvt Ltd
Address : Pimpalwadi Road, Behind Sai Udyan
Hotel Sun N Sand
Address : Village-Nighoj, Post-Shirdi, Taluka- Kopergaon.
Hotel Sai Leela
Address : 9/5A, Pimpalwadi Road, Shirdi, Maharashtra.
Shraddha Park Inn
Address : Pimpalwadi Road, Shirdi, Maharashtra.
Hotel Sai Sahavas
Address : Opp. Gondkar Complex, Pimpalwadi Road, Dist. Ahmednagar, Shirdi.