Shirdi, once a small village of Maharashtra, approximately 289 kilometres from Mumbai, Shirdi is a pilgrimage destination considered holy by the All Religions of India & the World. A large number of devotees come here all through the year to visit the shrine of Shirdhi Sai Baba. Moreover, there are some more holy shrines closely related to Sai Baba here. Easily accessible from the nearby towns, Shirdi is an important pilgrimage destination from Mumbai (Bombay).

Shani Shingnapur

Main attraction: THE TEMPLE OF " LORD SHANESHWAR"

Considered one of the most ‘awakened’ spiritual centres in Maharashtra no less than 10,000 people visit here on any given day. However, on Saturdays (considered auspicious for worshipping Saturn) an estimated 25,000 people visit the village. During the yatra days (three times a year) about three lakh people visit the village on a single day. Only men are allowed to worship the deity; women cannot mount the platform housing the deity.

According to legend about 156 years ago, in a heavy downpour the Panas Nala (stream) was flooded. A black idol flowing along the stream got stuck in the thorny zizyphus plant, about 150 meters from this village. The flood abated and the idol was spotted by shepherds. They poked the idol with their sticks and it started bleeding. On being intimated about the incident the villagers ran to the spot.

The legend states that on two consecutive nights a villager had recurring dreams in which the idol asked to be consecrated in the village. They did. However a divine voice warned them that no roof should be built over the idol nor should it be moved from the place where it was initially installed.

The village headwoman (sarpanch) reiterates the legend. ‘‘There have been no robberies in the village. When someone has tried they have gone blind and unless they confessed they were unable to leave the village,’’ she says narrating an instance of attempted robbery in her house. ‘‘We keep our money in banks that have been built outside the village. When married daughters come to visit us they are warned not to carry any locks with them. They must bring their belongings in bags, not suitcases,’’ says Sable.

Though the entire village is green with lush standing crop, the area where the deity is installed is open without even a single tree. Residents claim a tree planted by a devotee to provide shade to the idol just withered away despite adequate care. Since then no tree or greenery grows in the precincts of the idol.

How To Reach

By Air: Mumbai & Aurangabad are nearest airport to Shirdi.

By Rail: Nashik is the closest railway station at distance of 90 kms from Shirdi.

By Road: Mumbai - 289 Kms, Aurangabad - 150 kms.