Shirdi Sai Baba was the Indian yogi, guru, and fakir devoted by
Hindu’s and Muslims. Loads of Hindu followers wrote the many religious books
like Shri Sai Satcharitra. Hindus believe Sai Baba as a living form of Lord
Krishna whereas rest devotees believe Sai Baba as Lord Dattatreya. Lots of
devotees consider that Sai baba was the Sat guru, a Qutub or the liberal Sufi
Pir. No provable details are available concerning Sai Baba's origin place and
date.
One more fact is nobody knows the real name of Sai Baba. Baba got
the name "Sai" when he came to Shirdi, which is a small town situated
in west area of the Indian state Maharashtra. The local priest of the temple
Mahalsapati recognized Baba as a Muslim Pir. He greeted baba with Ya Sai which
means welcomes Sai. In Persian language, Sai or Sayi is the title given to
their saints. Though, Sai is also referred as Sanskrit word as it is taken from
the term Sakshat Eshwar.
Devotees of Sai baba are everywhere today as lots of proofs of Sai
Kripa are available, which proves that he was the incarnation of God.
Presently, people are coming throughout the world to Shirdi every year and
praying to baba. Baba is very much admired Saint, particularly in India. People
around the world are worshiping the Baba. Sai Baba taught an ethical system of
love, helping others, forgiveness, donations, happiness, inside harmony, and
dedication to God and spiritual leader.
The teaching elements of Baba were combined for Hinduism and Islam both. Baba gave a Hindu name to his mosque as Dwarakamayi. He practiced Muslim and Hindu rituals, trained people using words, which illustrated from equally customs. The admired epigram of Sai Baba is "Sabka Malik Ek, which means One God rules all. Baba forever voiced "Allah Malik" which means God is King.
The teaching elements of Baba were combined for Hinduism and Islam both. Baba gave a Hindu name to his mosque as Dwarakamayi. He practiced Muslim and Hindu rituals, trained people using words, which illustrated from equally customs. The admired epigram of Sai Baba is "Sabka Malik Ek, which means One God rules all. Baba forever voiced "Allah Malik" which means God is King.
Baba came and went many times from Shirdi to other places. However,
in 1858 Baba came back to Shirdi and this time he adopted his well-known manner
of dressing, which contains the knee-length single piece kafni and cotton cloth
to cover the head. Baba’s contribution for mankind is special and every person
today turned as a devotee of baba.
Sai Samadhi Mandir: This temple is covering the last remains of Baba
so this temple is recognized as Sai Samadhi Mandir. The construction of this
temple was done by rich merchant Sreemant Gopalrao from Nagpur. He left the
body on October 15th, 1918 and then onwards this place holds immense worship
for Baba's supporters and followers.
Dwarakamayi Mosque: this is the mosque located on the right side of
Sai Samadhi Mandir. Here Baba lit up lights every night. The huge stone is
located on this mosque, which was used to take support while sitting by baba.
Chavadi: situated close to the Dwarakamayi Mosque is another place
to visit in Shirdi. This is a small house of two rooms known as chavadi. Sai
baba spent almost every night in this house, and some proofs like seat (asan)
is available there on which Baba uses to take a rest. Baba’s favourite wooden
plank and wheel chair is also available in this house. At the time of Baba’s
funeral his body was bathed in Chavadi.
Gurusthan: this is the holy spot placed under the tree Neem.
Devotees can see the huge portrait of Sai Baba is Gurusthan, which is placed in
front of shivling and Nandi cow. The burning incense in Gurusthan is also
praised by devotees.
Khandoba Temple: this temple is situated at the Ahmednagar to
Kopergaon highway road. Khandoba temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. This Shirdi’s
oldest temple is must-visit spot for visitors of Shirdi.
Mahadev, Shani and Ganesh Temples: these temples are located in an
adjacent row. These are old temples of Shirdi and loads of devotes are visiting
these temples everyday.
Some other places to visit in Shirdi are Shani Shingnapur, Adul Baba
Cottage, House of Laxmibai Shinde, Dixit Wada Museum, Thursday Palki
Procession, Jangli Maharaj Ashram, Upasani Maharaj Ashram and Lendibagh.
Attaining Shirdi:
If you are
traveling from Pune then you have to travel for 184 kms distance to reach Shirdi.
However, Ahmedabad (567 km distant), Kullu (270 kms away), Mumbai (184 km away), Manali (274 km away),
and Hyderabad (582 km distant) are having bus and train service for Shirdi.
By Train: Train
is the best and easiest source of travel in India. Shirdi railway station is
only 10 kms far from the Shirdi Sai Baba temple. Direct trains from various
cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore are available for Shirdi. However, booking of ticket should be done in prior because people from around the world
are reaching Shirdi at regular intervals. You can get the trains for this
religious place from Kopargaon, Manmad, Nashik, Aurangabad, Chennai and Hyderabad.
By Air: the
big airport that is serving the international as well as domestic flights is Mumbai.
CSIA (Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport) is directly linked to almost
every big city of India. CSIA is only 245 kmd away from this place. Flights from
Singapore, Colombo, and Hong Kong and gulf countries are available frequently.
By Bus: Road
service of Maharashtra is properly managed by the local administration. If you
are looking for bus service to reach Shirdi then you can hire the state buses
or can do the online booking with luxurious travel buses. A/C buses from Hyderabad, Nashik, Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune are available from Shirdi.