Shirdi

Shirdi is known as the residence of Sai Baba, popular Muslim saint, Sai Baba. A little village in the interiors of Maharashtra, Shirdi is located 85 km north of Ahmadnagar district and 296 km from Mumbai. On an average, 50,000 people visit Shirdi daily, and during holidays the rush is even more. 

Sai Baba's origin is completely unknown. The saga of Sai Baba of Shirdi started when he first appeared Shirdi under a neem tree at the age of 16 and undertook severe penance. For the next 60 years, he devoted his life for poor and the downtrodden. His simple expressions and his ability to solve the problems of the poor, soon made him famous as Shri Sai Baba.

He didn't even bothering about religion and made peace between conflicting people and always encouraged them to follow their own religious path. He drew devotees from all over the country, although he never traveled. Sai Baba strongly believed in the uniformity of religion and he never distinguished anyone on the basis of caste or creed. Some people believes that he is the incarnation of Shiva or Dattatreya . Sai Baba Sai Baba was an expert in Yatha Yoga. He spent most of his time at Shirdi in a mosque. And he took a Samadhi here on a Dussehra day in 1918. Ever since, thousands of devotees have been turning up in Shirdi daily irrespective of their religion. 

Today, Shirdi is a famous pilgrim centre with several hundred thousands of people from all places and from all creeds lining up for a visit of the spot where Sai Baba renounced his life. 

The Sai temple is the second richest shrine in the country today. Built of stones, the temple complex has many other places of interest apart from the main temple such as Chavadi, Samadhi Mandir, Gurusthan, Khandoba mandir, Lendi garden and the samadhis of Baba’s followers. Devotees worship the idol of the saint, sculpted in white marble and elevated on a silver plated throne, flanked by glider lions. Made up of pure Italian marble it seems like Sai Baba is about to speak to his devotees. A glass chamber to the left, where various things handled by Baba are kept including a gramophone and his umbrella. The temple can be visited from 5 am till 10 in night. On Guru-Poornima, Dussera, and Ramnavami festivals, the temple is open overnight. Each ceremony is accompanied by processions, special foods etc.  Every Thursday, a palkhi with Sai Baba's photo is taken out from the temple, which is worth a watch.

Samadhi Mandir
The black marble Samadhi contains mortal remains of Sabi Baba, his head lying to the north and his feet to the south. It has beautiful decorations. Close to the Samadhi mandir is Dwarkamai Masjid, which is the original residence of the saint. A sacred fire lit by him still burns here and its ashes are distributed among devotees.

Shri Gurusthan Mandir
This is the place where Sai Baba first appeared to the world as a 16 year old boy. The famous Margosa (Neem) tree is here which has a reference in 'Sai Sat-Charitra'. A shrine built here houses the statue and portrait of the guru. 

Chavadi Mandir
Close to Gurusthan Mandir is the Chavadi Mandir. It is here Baba used to sleep on alternate days. A white chair and wooden bed belonging to him can be seen here.

Maruti Temple
This is the place where Baba used to regularly visit this temple.

Lendi Baug 
It is a calm and quiet garden where Shri Sai Baba used to meditate. Nandadeep is kept constantly burning near the Pimple tree planted by Shri Sai Baba himself. 

Data Mandir
There is a Datta Mandir in Lendi Baug and Shri Sai Baba's beloved horse 'Shamkarna' is taking eternal rest here. There is also a well here called as 'Baba's Shivdi'.

Khandoba Mandir
It is here Baba was declared as a saint.