8 Best Things To Do In The Pilgrimage City Of Shirdi, India

1. Shri Saibaba Sansthan Temple

The pious environment of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Temple offers eternal peace and tranquillity to the pilgrims. This glittering gold colored temple has an enchanting marble statue of Sai Baba, seated on a throne with a silver umbrella. Photography inside the temple is not allowed. Pilgrims get free laddu, or indian sweets and udhi, or sacred ash, after their blessing.

Every devotee needs to get a biometric pass, (which is free of charge), to enter the temple and they need to arrive at the entry gate number at the given time slot prescribed on the pass. Biometric passes can be obtained from many locations, such as the PRO office and different Bhakta Niwas, or ashrams. Be aware of cons roaming outside and claiming to be able to get free passes easily, if you buy offerings from their shop. The pass is free and easily available.

Shri Saibaba Sansthan Temple

Address: SH-10, Taluk Rahata, District Ahmednagar,

Website: Shri Saibaba Sansthan Temple

2. Gurusthan

Gurusthan is just behind the Samadhi Temple in the same temple complex. After visiting Samadhi temple when devotee comes out from the main temple, they reach Gurusthan.

Gurusthan is the place, where Sai Baba first appeared to the world as a 16-year-old boy. It is situated under the sacred Neem (Azadirachta indica) tree which provided shelter to Sai Baba. Leaves of this Neem tree are sweet to taste as opposed to other Neem trees. Nowadays the people are not able to get the Neem leaves as the leaves are collected by a net rather than falling down.

Gurusthan

Address: Shridi

Website: Gurusthan

3. Baba's Chavadi

Chavadi is the place where Sai Baba used to rest when he was in Shirdi. Devotees visit this place, after receiving their blessings from the temple of Sai Baba. Chavadi has a very calm atmosphere and one gets a feeling of inner peace here. Divided into two parts, one area has a wooden bed, with a portrait of Sai Baba, while the other has a white chair, that belonged to Sai Baba. There is a storyboard inside the temple and the place is well-maintained, despite being more than 100 years old.

There are two entrances, one for men and one for women and in the evening, people come here for prayer and meditation. These days, there is a procession, with a large crowd of devotees accompanying the idol of Sai Baba, every Thursday. The Palki, or palanquin, is decorated with beautiful flowers and the idol of Sai Baba is placed inside. The procession begins from Samadhi Mandir, travels to the Dwarkamai Mosque, and then proceeds to Chavadi.

Baba's Chavadi

Address: 100 meters (328 feet) away from the main temple complex

Website: Baba Chavadi

4. Dwarkamai Masjid

Sai Baba spent most of his time here, at the Dwarkamai Masjid. The shila, or stone, on which Sai Baba used to sit, is located near the mosque and the sacred fire, or dhuni, lit by Sai Baba, is always kept burning inside the mosque.

During his lifetime, Sai Baba used to give sacred ash to devotees, with the belief that it will cure them of sufferings of any kind. It’s a nice, serene, calm place. The place is maintained the same way it used to be, years ago when Baba was alive.

Dwarkamai Masjid

Address: Just behind the main Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir

Website: Dwarkamai Masjid

5. Shani Shingnapur

The Shani temple attracts thousands of visitors every day who come to receive the planet Saturn’s, or Shani Dev’s blessings. Saturn is prayed to here, in the form of a black stone, in an open yard. People offer mustard oil to Shani Dev and the idol is not approached by women, who instead view and pray from a distance.

You’ll be amazed to see the houses without doors and windows in this village and only curtains cover the entrances and windows. It is believed that Shani Dev punishes thieves immediately, therefore, incidents of theft are rare in Shingnapur. Beware of shop owners, though, as they are frauds. Do not visit the shops and bring offerings like oil or incense, on your own.

Shani Shingnapur

Address: Around 70 km (43.5 miles) from Shirdi

Website: Shani Shingnapur

6. Maruti Mandir

Maruti Mandir is located inside the Sai Temple compound, near the exit gate that leads to Dwarkamai. There is a huge, south facing Hanuman statue in this neat and peaceful place and a visit to the temple makes one feel energetic and pious. One is not allowed to touch the idol. Sai Baba is supposed to have worshiped Lord Hanuman, here.

Maruti Mandir

Address: Inside the Sai Temple compound

7. Dixit Wada Museum

The Dixit Wada Museum is inside the Samadi Mandir of Sai Baba and many things which were used by Sai Baba are kept there. Here, you will get to see things like Sai Baba’s clothes, shoes, cooking utensils, cooking pot and sandals. The whole museum can be covered in less than half an hour, on weekdays. It is well-maintained and nicely organized.

Dixit Wada Museum

Address: Inside the Samadi Mandir of Sai Baba

8. Wet N Joy Water Park

Wet n Joy Water Park is a good water park with thrilling rides, mega wave pools, a rain dance feature and lots more. It is good for all kinds of people, including families and solo travelers.

There are three big water pools, with rides and you can simply bring your kids and enjoy. There are around 10 rides on offer, all of them equally fun and well-maintained.

Wet N Joy Water Park

Address: 2 km (1.2 miles) from Shirdi

Website: Wet N Joy Water Park

Eternal peace and happiness

The aura of the temple city of Shirdi will make you realize eternal peace and happiness. The neat and clean premises of the main temple and the regular sound of Baba’s devotional songs will relieve you of your pains and sorrows and bring you peace of mind.