Shirdi, a little town in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, is one of the country’s holiest locations. The shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba is well known and the main draw. Include these top 15 places to visit in Shirdi to explore. It can be visited all year round; October to November is ideal.
You can reach Shirdi:
By Air: It takes about four and a half hours to drive from Shirdi to the closest international airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai. In addition, you may take connecting flights to important Indian cities such as Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Indore, Kolkata, Jaipur, Kozhikode, Lucknow, and Madurai.
By Road: Shirdi has a railway station named Shirdi Railway Station that connects to the significant Maharashtra cities and is about 10 kilometres from the Sai Baba temple. Numerous important cities, including Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Bangalore, Nasik, Thane, Nagpur, and Aurangabad, are easily accessible from this location.
By Transport: Shirdi can be reached in a variety of ways. Shirdi is well connected through the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and some private travel services. It is located 35 kilometres from Pangri, 56 kilometres from Sinnar, 86 kilometres from Ahmednagar, 216 kilometres from Nasik, and 188 kilometres from Pune, 233 kilometres from Vashi, and 238 kilometres from Mumbai.
14 best places to visit near Shirdi for a spiritual experience
Amruteshwar Temple
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A popular place to visit in Shirdi is the Amruteshwar Temple. It is one of the older temples of Lord Shiva and is situated 115 miles from Shirdi, close to the banks of the holy river Pravara. It was constructed in the ninth century A.D. by the Shilahara dynasty.
Built of black and red stones, this distinctive architecture is based on the Hemadpanthi architectural style. The temple also features lovely walls and ceilings that are ornamented.
Along with praying, visitors are attracted by the architecture and the long-standing customs. Moreover, people may quickly get to their destination whenever they want because the area is well-connected by buses.
See also: Top 15 places to visit in Maharashtra
Tiger Valley
The distance between Shirdi and this half-thrill, half-amusement Tiger Valley is about 215 kilometres. The Tiger Valley in Khandala is a stunning place to visit in Shirdi for those who love trees and romantic couples looking to take some mind-blowing pictures. Your voice will reverberate over the vast, greenish area due to the formation of the stones.
Tiger Valley is a sight to behold if you’re looking for adventurous locations to explore close to Shirdi. People should come here and see this great masterpiece once if they want to feel busy or stressed. They will become more aware of the natural environment and experience living in another world.
Khandoba Mandir
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Devotees revere the Khandoba Mandir for its long history and sanctity. Shirdi Sai Baba is keenly relevant since it features well-known representations of Khandoba, Banai, and Mhalsai. Daily ceremonies are done at noon and six. The devoted followers of Sai Baba would never miss visiting this shrine, located directly across from the Shirdi bus stop.
Once utilised for fire-walking, a rectangular sandpit is in front of the temple. But this custom has been abandoned. Instead, people now travel here to get God’s blessings and a tranquil mind.
Entry Timings: 5:30 AM- 9 PM
Gurusthan
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Sai Baba first appeared to the world as a 16-year-old lad in Gurusthan. The location is beneath a Neem tree. Along with a Shivalingam and the Nandi bull directly in front of it, it also includes a shrine with a picture of Sai Baba. It is a popular place to visit in Shirdi.
Dwarkamai
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One of Shirdi’s treasures for the faithful is Dwarkamai. The famous Sai Baba spent a considerable portion of his life there, including his final moments, and is said to be the heart of Shirdi. Because Baba lived there as God on Earth, as his followers prefer to refer to him, it is a treasure to all of them.
Lendi Garden
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Sai Baba once welcomed the renowned Lendi Garden. This vibrant area is home to a shrine, lovely graves, and a glowing lamp that Baba lit and set between. Then, unexpectedly, Baba made spending time alone one of his daily rituals at this location.
This lovely greenery is intended for family travellers and flower enthusiasts. Given that Lendi Garden is close to the Shirdi-Manmade State Highway, tourists who enjoy visiting areas close to Shirdi will spend quality time here. A lovely fountain has been erected in the garden’s middle to emphasise its attractiveness.
Entry Timings: 8 AM-7 PM
Dixit Wada Museum
The Dixit Wada Museum in Shirdi is the most well-known museum there. Sai Baba’s attire, including his kafni (a long robe) and his padukas, as well as some of the older inventions like gramophone records, smoking pipes, and cooking utensils, are also preserved in the museum (sandals). On the other side, it also shows vintage photos of Sai Baba and his followers.
This magnificent museum, situated in the heart of the Sansthan temple, promises to provide visitors with an unforgettable experience. According to historical records, Kakasaheb Dixit erected this museum in 1911 with Baba’s approval. This museum will, therefore, undoubtedly transport you to the 1900s.
Entry Timings: 10 AM-6 PM
Chavadi
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If we go back in time, Chavadi in Shirdi served as a gathering place, a court, or an office, as well as a location, to collect taxes and keep track of village business, among other things. In addition, it served as a storehouse and guest house after Baba’s passing. Chavadi has evolved into a public shrine dedicated to Baba since the 1930s.
Both pilgrims and tourists come to this well-preserved location to experience peace. One side of the chamber is designated for males to enter and pray, and the other side is designated for women to enter and pray separately. There are several attractions close to Shirdi, and Chavadi is one among them. It is worth taking your family there.
Entry Timings: 3:30 AM-9 PM
House of Laxmibai Shinde
Laxmibai Shinde, as we all know, was Sai Baba’s most devoted supporter. She consistently worked in the Masjid every day. Every television and book Sai Baba episode has featured her persona. Laxmibai Shinde, astonishingly, was the only female to enter the mosque after the curtain had been drawn.
A glass-top box with nine coins inside is the most important item in her home. Baba gave her Rs. 9/- before he passed away. Some see it as the nine different kinds of devotion, while others see it as the nine qualities of a good disciple. This location is adjacent to the main temple and Dwarakamai.
Entry Timings: 7 AM-10 PM
Wet N Joy Water Park
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The Wet N Joy Water Park is a one-stop location where all age groups may instantly find something to occupy themselves with. It is the ideal entryway for family travellers, located 5 kilometres from Shirdi, where they can experience tornadoes, freefalls, and water rides without getting wet.
This amusement park is one of the best locations to visit nearby Shirdi during the holidays because it is safe and secure. People have had access to good meals at lower prices than their competitors when it comes to food. Additionally, they provide pick-up and drop-off services for travellers.
Entry Fees: During weekdays (Rs. 899/- for adults and Rs. 799/- for kids); during weekends (Rs. 999/- for adults and Rs. 799/- for kids)
Entry Timings: 10 AM- 6 PM
Abdul Baba Cottage
The hamlet, which was initially owned by Abdul Baba, one of Sai Baba’s most ardent devotees, is located just across from Chavadi. This one is little, green in colour, and filled with numerous priceless memoirs of Baba and himself. A must-see location for its collection of priceless items relating to the two.
Upasani Maharaj Ashram
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Upasani Maharaj, a saint from the 20th century, founded the ashram. He was Sai Baba’s devoted follower. The ashram houses the samadhi of the Maharaj and one of his followers and is located off the Shirdi-Ahmednagar State route.
Shirdi’s Sai Heritage Village
Shirdi’s Sai Heritage Village is a singular fusion of Sai Baba’s blessings and the magnificence of nature. Visitors experience these moments as if they have come to life before their eyes since it displays the significant occasions that occurred throughout Sai Baba’s lifetime in the shape of statues.
Shri Tatya Kote Samadhi
The Shri Tatya Kote Samadhi is close to Lendi Baug and belonged to one of Sai Baba’s most devoted followers. So people come to this location to pay respect to one of Baba’s most loyal followers, and because it is not very busy, getting a darshan is simple.
FAQs
What are the tourist attractions in Shirdi?
Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple, Shani Shingnapur, Samadhi Mandir, Gurusthan, Dwarkamai, and Lendi Baug are among Shirdi's most popular tourist attractions.
How to commute within Shirdi?
Buses, taxis, and tourist cabs make up most of the transit options. The best way to move around the town is by bus. To land a helicopter on the helipad run by Shri Sai Sansthan Temple, one can also obtain permission from them. Only ten minutes of walking separates the helipad from the main temple. Another suggested method of transportation throughout the city is on foot, as Shirdi is a small town and all the temples are close together.
What is Shirdi famous for?
Shirdi is well-known as one of the most well-liked Sai Baba pilgrimage centres. Most visitors come to the village to see the Sai temple at Shirdi.
