Hi Everyone… Om Sai Ram! Going to Shirdi Sai Baba Temple has almost become a routine trip for my
family last 5 years, we always plan to visit shirdi on every 26 January (independence day)
due to holiday with 1-2 office leaves., I get to go there at least once a year.
This year, as usual, it was an on-the-spur-of-the-moment-decision, and off we
went, with a private bus hired at the last moment. We started at around 10:30PM,
and without halting anywhere enroot, reached Shirdi at around 8:00AM.
We finally reached Shirdi at 12 PM which meant we had a whole day to spend in Shirdi.
Shirdi is a holy place which was blessed by the appearance of a modern day saint, Sai Baba, some 120 years ago. Through His blessings, He liberated people of their sufferings and sorrows and also performed numerous miracles.
After spending 65 years in the service of mankind, Sai Baba
took Samadhi in Shirdi itself, where a huge temple stands today - The Samadhi temple - from where the
Baba continues to inspire new hopes and happiness amongst His believers. We
have captured this scene in video as our memories. Watch now here:
Video about Samadhi Temple taken by Mobile phone from
outside Shirdi temple
Where Should We Stay (Accommodation)?
Let me tell you there is no shortage of accommodation in
Shirdi. But it is suitable to book your rooms in advance if you are planning to
visit on special Thursdays, weekends, festivals and holidays. We checked in
into our pre booked room at sai ashram bhaktniwas which is situated
at a walking distance of 5 min from the Samadhi temple. The rooms are quite
spacious and clean, the service good.
Where Should We Eat?
Now talking about eating in Shirdi then there is number of
hotels on the way of road side. It depends on your budget. Apart from that The
Sai Devotees take the food as Prasad with great satisfaction. Many generous Sai
devotees with trustful involvement donate meals for all the Sai Devotees with
free of cost during the time of heavy rush. The facility of Prasad bhojan of the
"SHRI SAI PRASADALAYA" which was earlier situated next to the samdhi
mandir, has been permanently at walking distance.
At present, in the Sai
prasadalaya, everyday 25 to 30 thousand Sai devotees take meal as a Prasad.
During the time of vacation and festivals of Lord Saibaba the number of Sai
devotees hikes up to 55 thousand. Free Prasad meals are served to poor, blind
handicapped & sages. Like this, approx 1000 persons are served everyday
with this facility. Expenses for a plate of Prasad meal is around Rs. 15/-.
Saibaba Sansthan provides Prasad meals to all Sai devotees to Rs. 10/- only.
Apart from this, Children below age 10 are charged Rs 3/- for the same. The
prasadalaya’s yearly expenditure is Rs 30 cores.
How to reach Shirdi?
Shirdi is well connected by roads to most cities in
Maharashtra. It is situated at a distance of 400 km from Indore, 190 km from
Pune and about 100 km from Nashik.
Share your travelling story with us......