Friday 8 April 2016

Shirdi: The humble abode of Sai Baba

To read the series from start please click here
 We started our bus journey from Trimbakeshwar towards Shirdi .As it was direct bus it did not enter Nasik city and bypassed it. We were on the same Nasik-Pune road from which we had come in the morning but this time in opposite direction. At Sinner, the road bisects. Left side road goes towards Shirdi, straight road goes to Pune. As we were approaching Shirdi, the condition of the road was improving. Last few kilometers have four lanes. The bus took around three hours to complete the journey of 114 KM. We reached Shirdi around 5PM.
Mandir entrance
The moment we get down at Shirdi, some humble human approached us and promise to show a cheap, neat and clean hotel. They also offer us to have quick darshan from back gate as it is very crowded due to vacation and it may take hours for darshan. They came one after another. We simply refused them. These people are actually touts. You’ll find them almost at any place of repute, especially at religious destination. All you have to do is to purchase prasad from their shops. But it is always better to ask and fix rates beforehand.
 
Now without wasting any time we want to have darshan but before it we had to deposit our bags and luggage. For all of us, it was first visit to Shirdi and we were not familiar with the area. So we entered in the enquiry office in Sainath Mangal office. There were many clock rooms available for luggage and one separate clock room for mobiles and cameras. Two canteens were also there serving eatable items at subsidized rates. A mineral water bottle was available for Rs. 7, tea for Rs.3. This building is huge and earlier it was Saiparsad Bhakat Niwas. Now it has been turned into Sainath Mangal office and also has few guest houses.
 
After depositing our belongings we hurriedly went for darshan as the time of evening Aarti was near. During Aarti, darshan are closed for general public and only few people are allowed who have pre booked for Aarti.
 
 One can book Aarti online for Rs. 500 and can take part in any Aarti he/she wants. Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust has made it extremely convenient for Sai devotees to book Sai Baba Darshan and Aarti online. At times devotees do not know about various facilities offered by Sai Baba Trust and fall prey to touts and anti-social elements. It is very convenient to book Sai Baba Darshan and Aarti online. It saves a lot time and hassle of figuring out what and how to go about darshan and Sai Aarti.
There are four Aarti that take place at Sai Baba Temple during different times of the day.
  1. Kakad Aarti (Morning: 4.30  – 5)
  2. Madhyan Aarti (Noon: 12 – 12.30)
  3. Dhoom Aarti (Evening: At Sunset)
  4. Shej Aarti (Night: 10.30 – 10.50)
Depending on your convenience and availability of tickets, you can choose any of the four Sai Aarti. Kakad Aarti is the most preferred and popular of all. Once you have booked Sai Aarti online or any other service, you can easily modify or cancel if there is any last minute change in your program.
To book Sai Baba Darshan and Aarti online, all you need is to sign up or register on http://online.sai.org.in/.
The temple premise is large and for darshan one has to cross few barricades and when we reached in a big hall near the main Samadhi temple, doors were closed in front of us. We were told that cleaning work has started for Aarti preparation so we have to wait for one hour and doors will reopen only after Aarti. We were already very tired due to long bus journey and two hours stand to wait for darshan in morning at Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling. Now again waiting was like adding insult to injury. As no other option was available, we sat on the floor.
 
(The dynamics of darshan at Shirdi also dependent on number of devotees at that particular time. Generally During lean season (July – October) it is not very difficult to have smooth darshan.)
 
 After five minutes, suddenly door was open and we were asked to go for darshan- as there was some delay in Aarti. We entered from one side and have darshan and came out from another door, just opposite to entrance. After darshan we also went to Dwarkamai, Chavadi and Gurusthan. These all places are on the backside of Samadhi temple. There is also one canteen serving snacks, tea and coffee. After spending one good hour there we came out and start searching for accommodation. We came to know that there is one new huge accommodation complex built by Sai Sansthan is opened for public and we can get room there. We hired an auto and reached there. The complex is huge, neat and clean with plenty of parking space. It is named as Sai Ashram Phase-1. We went to reception and book one non AC room with three beds. We stay there for one night and next morning we left for Shani Signapur.
 
Shirdi:
Shirdi is among the most popular religious places in India. It is a small town situated in Kopergaon, district Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.  Located around 250 km from Mumbai, the humble abode of Sai Baba attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year.
 
It was a small village but when baba came to this place it was converted in a small town. Sai Baba, as believed came to Shridi at the age of 16 and remained there for life. Initially he wanted to stay at Khandoba’s Temple but temple’s priest did not allow him to stay there and eventually he stayed at a mosque, and gave it name as Dwarkamayi. He spent most his time under a Neem Tree, which can be found in the temple complex. Sai Baba breathed his last on 15 October 1918 and was buried there. Today, Shirdi has a well laid out temple complex and a beautiful shrine dedicated to Sai Baba.
How to reach Shirdi? `
Shirdi can easily be reached by rail, road and air.  Mumbai is the major nearest airport to Shirdi, which is 250 km away. Pune, 200 km and Aurangabad, 140 km are other airports near Shirdi.The temple town of Shirdi has recently been linked by train to other parts of India. Sainagar (SNSI) is the closest railway station, which is just 10 km away from Sai Temple. As there are only few trains for Sainagar, your second best bet is Kopargaon (KPG), 14 km away. Manmad (MMR), 55 km away and Nasik Road (NK), 85 km away are other railway stations that you can get down at and reach Shirdi. 
 
Stay option:
Though there is no dearth of hotels in Shirdi but if you are looking for neat and economical stay options in Shirdi, the Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan (Shirdi Sai Baba Trust) offer clean, comfortable and economical accommodation options in Shirdi. Shirdi Sai Baba Trust runs three well known ashrams. All these three ashrams are within close vicinity of Sai Baba Temple. Accommodation in these ashrams is comfortable and peaceful. Moreover the accommodation offered is hygienic and safe. The three ashrams have a combine inventory of more than 2500 rooms and both AC and non AC rooms are available. A room can accommodate anywhere between 2 to 6 persons. The trust has three stay options in Shirdi viz. Sai Ashram, Dwarawati and New Bhakta Niwas.
 (The following information is taken from the small guide book, which I purchased from Shirdi.)
Accommodation in Dwarawati, Shirdi
Built in 2008, Dwarawati is close to the Bus stand. It is approximately 300 meter away from Sai Baba Temple. Dwarawati has 320 rooms, dormitories and large rooms to accommodate small groups or families of six to ten people. There are 80 air-conditioned rooms as well. Dwarawati is also well equipped with the facilities like 24 hr. water supply, electricity supply (with power back-up), parking and security. You can get a basic room for as little as Rs. 125. Air-conditioned room can be booked for Rs. 800 – 1000.
Accommodation in Sai Bhakta Niwas, Shirdi
The New Bhakta Niwas has 542 rooms of various categories. This complex is located on the highway and the trust runs round the clock shuttle service between temple complex and New Bhakta Niwas to ferry the devotees.  It is about half a kilometer from Sai Baba Temple towards Ahmednagar. This complex is well equipped with canteen facility, parking space, 24-hr water supply, electricity supply (with power back-up) and security.
Accommodation in Sai Ashram, Shirdi
It (Sai Ashram Phase 1) is the newest of all and has 1536 rooms, which can accommodate up to 9000 devotees. Of 1536 rooms 1152 are common rooms with attached bath room and 384 air-conditioned rooms.  Besides, the ashram has a common services block where you have restaurant for Sai devotees. The Sai Ashram also has an Open Air Theatre (OAT), which can accommodate up to 2000 devotees for Sai Kirtans, Bhajans and other cultural programs.
Accommodation in any of the above ashrams can be booked online. Rooms online booking purely depend on availability of rooms. Sai Baba Trust online room booking is very easy. All you need to do is register/sign up on http://online.sai.org.in/.
What is the best time to visit Shirdi?
Keeping in mind the weather of the region, October to March is the best time to visit Shirdi. The temple gets really crowded during summer vacations in May-June and during festivals especially on Ramnavmi, Gurupurnima and Vijayadashmi. Besides, a large number of devotees also visit on Thursdays, which is considered Sai Baba’s day.  A procession of Sai Baba is taken on every Thursday at 9:15 p.m. If you prefer to visit during lean season, August and September are good months. Monday and Friday are lean days when temple is not too crowded.
 
Admn office

Entrance of Smadhi temple

Entrance of Smadhi temple


Entrance of Smadhi temple

Sai Ashram with ample parking space

Reception of Sai Ashram


Room rates of 2013. Now reduced to about half

replica of SAI Temple kept at reception



Below are Some pictures of Well decorated Ashram with beautiful Plants and flowers









 

Main gate of Sai Ashram

12 blocks each having 128 rooms

My friends

me@ Sai Ashram
 
Stay tuned for next post on Shani Shignapur........

49 comments:

  1. बहुत बढ़िया सहगल साहब ।
    बिलकुल सही सलाह मैं भी हमेशा ट्रस्ट द्वारा उपलब्ध कमरों को ही प्राथमिकता देता हूँ ।
    और जितना systematic यहाँ है शायद ही कहीं और हो ।
    बढ़िया जानकारी बढ़िया पोस्ट ।
    जो भी शिरडी जाता है मैं उसे त्र्यम्बकेश्वर और घरेष्णेश्वर जरूर भेजने की कोशिश करता हूँ ।
    आप भी किया करो :)

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    Replies
    1. संजय जी सही कहा आपने यहाँ सब कुछ अच्छी तरह मैनेज है .और इस टूर पर तो मैंने तीन ज्योतिर्लिंग किये थे , पिछले साल भी शिर्डी गया था परिवार के साथ तब सिर्फ त्र्यम्बकेश्वर कर पाया था . धन्यवाद .

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    2. मैंने भी तो नरेश भाई शिर्डी पे ही डेरा जमा कर अपनी पूरी मण्डली को यही से 3 ज्योतिर्लिंग करवाये थे ।
      बहुत बढ़िया रहा था ।

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    3. जी संजय जी यहाँ रूकना और खाना सस्ता पड़ता है यदि आप ट्रस्ट में रुके हों तो . और इसे केंद्र बना कर आस पास के स्थानों पर आराम से घुमा जा सकता है .

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  2. Very Well Written Naresh ji, reminds me my journey to Shirdi & Shani Shignapur .. jai Sainath

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Pankaj ji for your encouraging comments.

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  3. Nice write up Naresh ji. The description with minor details could be very handy and useful for the first timers visiting the place. The pics are beatiful and in plenty both. Thanx for sharing 😊💐💐

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  4. Nice write up Naresh ji. The description with minor details could be very handy and useful for the first timers visiting the place. The pics are beatiful and in plenty both. Thanx for sharing 😊💐💐

    ReplyDelete
  5. ओम साई राम। बहुत अच्छा लेख नरेश जी।

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    Replies
    1. धन्यवाद बीनू भाई .

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  6. ॐ साई राम
    छोटी से छोटी जानकारी भी आपने इस पोस्ट में डाली है ,जो वहा जाने वाले नए यात्री के लिए बहुत फायदेमंद है ।हम वहा रात को पहुचे थे पर जानकारी के आभाव में और समयभाव के कारण बस स्टैंड के सामने होटल में रुक गए थे । साई आश्रम उससे अच्छी लग रही है ।
    आप जितना अच्छा हिंदी में लिखते है उतना ही अंग्रेजी में भी ।
    जय भारत माता की

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. धन्यवाद किशन जी .साईं आश्रम बहुत बड़ा और सुन्दर बना हुआ है .यहाँ की रख रखाव भी बहुत अच्छी है . जहाँ तक हो सके यहीं रूकने की कोशिश करनी चाहिए.

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  7. As usual, very well written. Good description with beautiful pictures. Go ahead- G

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  8. Nice post with detailed information. Pictures are also very good.

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  9. Very nice written post, its always a soothing experience to read about Baba's dhaam Shirdi...Om Sai Ram

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  10. nice post and fully knowledgeable naresh ji

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  11. Sorry Naresh ji . I don't accept Sai as God or Hindu deity so will not read this post and will not comment . हाथ जोड़कर क्षमा चाहता हूँ !! बुरा मत मानियेगा प्लीज

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  12. No problem. I too consider SAI a Saint only. Not God.

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  13. नरेश जी बिना ऑनलाइन बुकिंग यदि हम काकड़ा आरती के दर्शन के लिए जाते है तो क्या दर्शन हो पाएंगे??

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  14. Healthcare system is often criticised for it being "efficiently" accessible only to an elite group of people.
    madhusudan naidu

    madhusudan naidu muddenahalli

    ReplyDelete
  15. People generally indulge in social initiatives with a hidden agenda. Swami, in his subtle form, continues to drive his devotees to strive hard for the elevation of needy people.
    madhusudan naidu

    madhusudan naidu

    ReplyDelete
  16. Healthcare system is often criticised for it being "efficiently" accessible only to an elite group of people. Swami, in his subtle form, drives his devotees to work for good and quality health care for all in an unbiased manner. Healthcare system is often criticised for it being "efficiently" accessible only to an elite group of people. Swami, in his subtle form, drives his devotees to work for good and quality health care for all in an unbiased manner.

    madhusudan naidu

    madhusudan naidu muddenahalli

    ReplyDelete
  17. The team under the drive of his subtle form continues to work for providing quality healthcare to the deserving people. Take a look at our initiatives on health care front.
    madhusudan naidu

    madhusudan naidu muddenahalli

    ReplyDelete
  18. The team under the drive of his subtle form continues to work for providing quality healthcare to the deserving people. Take a look at our initiatives on health care front.
    madhusudan naidu

    madhusudan naidu muddenahalli

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    madhusudan naidu

    madhusudan naidu muddenahalli


    madhusudan naidu

    madhusudan naidu muddenahalli

    ReplyDelete
  20. very Nice! Download Sai baba latest image: Sai baba Image

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