Top 10 Places to Visit in Shirdi

2. Gurusthan

In his well-known book, the Shree Sai Satcharita, Govind Raghunath Dabhol­kar, says, “Nobody knew the parents, birth or birthplace of the Sai baba. He was first seen under a Neem tree, seated in an asana.” Sai baba said the tomb of his Guru was located by the Neem tree and he always acknowledged that place. It is among the most holy and important places of Shirdi. Baba’s Paduka are also enshrined here.

3.Dwarkamai

This Mystical and holy destination is probably the only Mosque that houses a Temple inside it. Sai baba did not discriminate between castes, status, or religions. Dwarkamayee is right at the entrance of the Sai Samadhi Mandir. This is where God solved problems, met with the people who came to him to get cured of their sickness, anxiety and worries. In Dwarkamyee, Sai’s Dhuni (the fire that produces the ‘Udi’ - the sacred ash) remains perpetually burning. Dwarkamayee also houses a beautiful portrait of Sai baba, which assumes life like qualities when one is in its presence. In the yard, one can feel his presence on the very stone that he used to sit on.

4.Khandoba Mandir

Khandoba Temple holds special importance not only for its ancient origin but also for being associated with Sai Baba. It is located on the main road in Shirdi. Baba came to Shirdi for the frst time with the marriage procession of Chand Patil. When the marriage party halted at the entrance gate of Khandoba Temple, the man priest Mhalsapati welcomed Baba saying "Aao Sai" (come in Sai)

5. Lendi Baug

What used to be a vacant wasteland, Sai baba converted into a garden and named it after a rivulet called Lendi which used to run through. In this place of love, he meditated under the shade of the twin trees, Peepal and Neem. It is also where he maintained a permanent lamp (Nanda-deep), which was maintained by his attendant Abdul and remains perpetually lit. The garden also has the tomb of Shyam Sundar, Sai baba’s horse whom baba loved so much that when the horse was being beaten, Baba cried out. The marks of the whip lashes appeared on Sai baba’s back. Shyam Sundar always bowed to Sai baba when he was alive. Outliving Baba, Shyam Sundar also bowed to Sai baba’s Samadhi when he died.

6. Chavdi

Sai baba spent his day alternately between Chavadi and Dwarkamayee. The inside of this building is partitioned into two areas: one where Baba used to sleep and the other for devotees to gather and worship.

7. Upasani Maharaj Ashram

7. Upasani Maharaj Ashram

Upasani Maharaj Ashram was the abode of a saint by name Upasani Maharaj. He was an ardent disciple of Saibaba. The samadhi of Upasani Maharaj is located in this premise

Situated in Lendi Bagh, there is a temple of Lord Dattatreya, the Perfect one, the Adi-Guru—the First Teacher. Shree Dattatreya is the incarnation of the divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and is considered one of the most ancient Gods in the Hindu pantheon. Sai baba is also revered as an incarnation of Shree Dattguru.

9. Khandoba Mandir

Khandoba is an avatar of Shiva and this temple is located on the outskirts of Shirdi. It was here that Sai baba was first welcomed into Shirdi, as the priest of this temple, Mhalsapati, greeted him with ‘Aao Sai’, and so he was.

10. Dixit Wada Museum

Home to many items used by Baba himself, this museum is a must visit for every one. One can see Baba’s Padukas, the Grinding Stone he used, the Chair he used to sit on, the two Utensils he used to feed the people who came to him, the Earthenware and the Water Pot which is filled to the brim even today, and the Chimta he used when singing.

Every Thursday (Guruvaar), Sai’s Palkhi procession starts from the Samadhi Mandir. The procession follows the footsteps of Sai baba, going first to Dwarkamayee and then to the Chavadi, and then back to the Samadhi Mandir. In the Palkhi, are the portrait of Sai baba wrapped in a Royal Robe, his Sacred Staff and his Paduka kept on a silver platter. The Palkhi is covered by a big parasol.

12. The Mahadev temple and the Tiger’s Tomb

Some traveling Dervishes who had a caged Tiger as an exhibit heard of Sai baba as a hakim. They brought the Tiger to be healed as it was sick. Baba asked the animal to be brought to him. Freed from the cage and chains that bound its movement , this ferocious animal approached the steps of Dwarkamayee, thrashed its tail to the ground three times after staring at Sai baba, gave a terrific roar and fell down dead. Sai baba said, the animal had been in the their debt from a previous birth and was now cleared of it. He then gave them 150 rupees and asked them to bury the Tiger in front of the nearby Mahadev temple.

Experience a magical holy journey only at Sai Teerth, India’s first immersive theme park dedicated to the most worshipped secular saint of all times - Saibaba. Sai Teerth by Malpani Group is one of the modern wonders, which combines devotion with technology and entertainment. Four custom-built, world-class themed attractions amaze visitors with their grandeur, innovation, and attention to detail. Teerth Yatra – A spiritual journey across 10 devotional temples of India.  The show timings from starts from 11:00 to 5:15 and has four shows Teerth Yatra, Lanka Dahan, Sabka Malik Ek, and Dwarkamai.

Among the most sacred places to visit in Shirdi, the Shri Sai Samadhi Mandir is the final resting place or Samadhi of Sai baba. By far, the biggest attraction, the Samadhi itself and the railings around it are built in white marble stones. Two silver pillars adorn the front of the Samadhi stone. Behind the Samadhi, the exquisite life-sized statue of Baba in his sitting pose was commissioned and built by the Late Balaji Vasant. As he is Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj, an unfurled silver parasol always provides him with cover. It is said that when the owner wanted to install an idol of Muralidhar (Shree Kirishna) on the land where the temple currently stands, Sai baba himself appeared as Muralidhar. Which is why his Samadhi is laid in this land.