Shirdi situated in Maharashtra is a place which is known as the home of Sai Baba. If you have never gone to Shirdi for Baba's darshan before, then you should plan to go here once. Once you come here, you will also realize how charming this place is.
Every year lakhs of people go to see Baba. The special thing about Shirdi is that you will not have to worry about accommodation and food here. Arrangements for langarprasad and accommodation have been made in the temple. The temple of Sai Baba is very big.
Where is the temple located?
The temple is located in Rahatataluka town of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state. This place is known as Sainagar Shirdi.
Good time to visit Shirdi
Thursday is considered auspicious for seeing Baba. This day is called in the name of Sai Baba. But on this day there is a lot of crowd in the temple. If seen, the temple remains crowded throughout the year. Here you have to stand in a long line even to get a laddu of Prasad.
Not only this, a family member can take only one packet of laddu. If you want more Prasad, you will have to ask other members of your family to stand in line. Besides, you also have to pay for this Prasad.
Food arrangement
Here you get free food. The meal includes dal, chapatti, rice, two types of vegetables and sweets.
Living arrangements
Sai Balaji Bhakti Nivas is 1.4 km from Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. This place has been made for the devotees to stay. But you can stay here absolutely free only during festivals like Diwali, Ram Navami, Dussehra etc. If you are planning to go here except during these festivals, then you will have to pay for it.
But still, the cost of living here is quite low. You can stay here for 250 to 600 rupees. Therefore, it is quite easy to travel to Shirdi cheaply. You can also book a room online cheaply at www.sai.org.in online room booking.
Darshan time
This is most important because often people reach the temple without knowing the timing of darshan and they have to wait for a long time.
Temple darshan time: Devotees can have darshan of Sai Baba only from 5.00 am to 10.00 pm.
How to reach Shirdi
You can come here with the help of train, flight and bus.
If you are going to Shirdi via train, Kopargaon railway station is the nearest one. It is 16 km distance from Shirdi. After landing here, you can go with the help of an auto, cab or bus.
You can take a Maharashtra Shirdi Airport ticket through the flight. It is situated in Kokadi village.
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