Convenient Must Know Travel Tips That Would Definitely Ease Your Shirdi Trip

Shirdi is a holy town in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra. This town enshrines the tomb of Sai Baba, a popular saint and guru revered by millions of people from all faiths across the world. If you plan a trip to Shirdi in the near future, here are some very useful tips that your tour agency or even the experienced travelers to Shirdi might forget to inform you. Shirdi is among the most visited pilgrimage destinations in India

When to Visit?

The town stays dry throughout the year, except for monsoons (July-September). It is advised to avoid the hot summer months from April to June. Prefer monsoons or months from October-March (winters, can be extremely cool especially in December and January) when the weather is pleasant. Also note that Shirdi is usually crowded around the year. Thursdays attract more visitors, compared to other days of the week. Even Sundays are crowded most of the times. If you do not mind crowd, plan your trip during popular festivals like Guru Purnima (usually in July) and Ram Navmi (usually in March or April) or Dussehra (usually in October) which is also the Maha Samadhi Day of Baba.

How to Visit?

Shirdi has no airport. The closest airports include Nashik (83 km.), Aurangabad (114 km.), Pune (192 km.) and Mumbai (247 km.). The town is served by Shirdi Sai Nagar Railway Station with only two overnight trains. By road, it is well-connected to the metropolises like Mumbai and Pune and other major cities across India. The best way to reach Shirdi is by reaching either Mumbai or Pune by flight or train and then continuing by road. You can fly to Mumbai’s international airport and then cover a distance of approximately 245 km. by road (NH 3) in a Mumbai to Shirdi taxi or rented car. From Pune International Airport, the road trip via NH 160 and Kopergaon-Shirdi-Ahmednagar-Pune Highway in a taxi or rented Pune to Shirdi cab can take you roughly 3.5 hours for covering about 193 km.

Please note that long road trips in public transport might be uncomfortable. You must prefer to book private transportation, if comfort and safety are your preferences.

Places You Must Visit

Shirdi Samadhi Temple Complex is the main attraction as it houses Baba’s final resting place. Don’t forget to see ‘padukas’, the holy footwear of Baba kept on display. Other places you must visit include Dwarkamai (the mosque where Baba used to stay), Chawdi (where he would sleep every alternate night) Gurusthan (where he was first seen meditating) and House of Laxmi Bai Shinde (an ardent follower of Baba). The Museum near Guruasthan houses various articles used by Baba.

Prayers and Offerings

Aartis (prayers) at the main temple are held at 04:30 a.m., 05:35 a.m., 12 noon, around 05:30 p.m. (sunset) and 10:30 p.m. The temple open for general darshan at 07:00 a.m. Darshan is not allowed during aartis and other rituals like holy bath. Offerings can be made in the form of coconuts; flower garlands, sacred clothes and other items that can be purchased from shops near the complex (prefer to buy from Sri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust). It is advised to make monetary offerings using cheques and drafts. 

Other Important Tips

Long queues are inevitable and you may expect the waiting time of 2-3 hours on average. Buy special passes (INR 100) to avoid queues. The trust offers accommodations, but the cheaper options can be availed ranging from dormitories to AC rooms across the town. It is advised to keep your valuables and luggage locked and safe.

Mobile phones are not allowed inside the main temple. Shooting pictures and videos is not allowed during aartis and it’s better to ask permission. It is a good idea to eat food (called prasada) at the trust’s kitchen (offered at subsidized rates as low as INR 10). Most of the restaurants around the temple offer pure vegetarian foods. You are advised not to consume non-vegetarian food and alcohol near or before visiting the sacred places.

Remember that visiting Shirdi is purely a religious activity and an absolutely life-changing experience. Be patient and keep faith in Baba who definitely pays attention to everyone’s prayers.