Visiting Shirdi, A Trip To Remember

There have been many memorable events since last time I posted a blog. However I started this blogless spell with a visit to one of the most religious places in India, Shirdi. Famous as the 'KARMBHUMI' of Shri Satya Sai BABA, whom both the Hindus and Muslims worship with equal devotion.

It was in the month of November,2010 that I suddenly felt an urge to visit this serene place about which I had only so far heard about. It took a day's planning and an hour's packing to get on the way. It was to be an overnight bus journey, something which I hadn't done for a long time. But that is the only option if you are to catch the morning prayers upon reaching Shirdi.

The bus left at 9:15 exact from Vishal Nagar and was expected to reach Shirdi by 4:30. Within an hour of boarding the bus i fell into deep sleep. The bus ran making numerous pit stops and I was vaguely aware of its shenanigans through my sleep. When the bus completely came at a dead stop it was 5 in the morning. A sombre sound of Chants and Prayers that had somehow sipped through the airtight glass of the bus was coiling into the ears. Within a second everyone in the bus knew that they had reached their destination.



An outside view of the Shirdi Sai BABA Temple



The chants became louder as I stepped out of the bus. It was still dark with morning light just appearing at the brim of the sky. But the place where our bus stopped was abuzz with activity. Hundreds of devotees gathered with the sole intention of visiting one of the most beautiful pilgrims of India. People around were shouting to attract customers. Soon I realized they were letting the devotees take a bath and get clean and pure before visiting the temple for a nominal fee. It was bizarre but also a fun experience. After half an hour of dilly-dallying there I finally started to make my way towards the temple.



As I joined the line with hundreds of others, the chant became a force, a driving force that is pulling closer and closer towards the source of it. Something that was telling everyone in an unique way what we were going to find on the other side. Expectations kept soaring as hundreds stood patiently chanting themselves, praying or simply staying quiet. Not one person in the waiting was restless as if something supernatural had cast spell of peace and tranquility over everyone. I was feeling really peaceful after a long time.

As the human line slowly coiled inside the temple, a strange sense of anticipation started to boil inside. It was not allowed to take pictures inside the temple so I had to be content with just feasting my ways. It was a beautiful temple with majestic white indoors. There was hardly any blemish on any of the walls. There were numerous seats arranged in case the devotees get tired. Volunteers were as making sure everything was perfect and that no devotee was in any sort of discomfort. The chants went on all the time adding to the already surreal atmosphere of the temple.


Satya SAI BABA statue inside the temple.



 
Finally when I reached the idol , I was speechless. It is one of the most regal idols I have ever seen. As we slowly walked past the idol it kept growing on me and I am sure on everybody else present there as well. We had to leave the place fast as hundreds of others were waiting for their chance to catch a eyeful of Shri Sai Baba. Too bad photography is banned across all the holy places in Shirdi.

Articles used by Sai Baba

Once outside we went for some 'Prasad' and took stroll of the the area. There was also a Museum which kept photographs of Sai Baba and various articles used by him like his clothes, utensils, bed etc. There were many very old and rare photographs that were very interesting to the eyes. There was also a chariot that was donated to Sai Baba by some rich person. Sai Baba never used it.



Sai Baba in original Dwarkamai



Outside the main temple there are still some places to see. And the foremost is Dwarkamai. Dwarkamai is a mosque where Sai Baba spent about 60 years of his life. In Baba's early days only upper portion of the mosque was existed and Baba kept the sacred fire (dhuni) all his life and is kept on till to day.



Dwarkamai today



 "Highly merciful is this Masjid (mosque) Ayi (mother). Once a person climbs into her lap, all their troubles are over" - Sai Baba.

There are five padukas, puja pillar near dhuni, grinding stone and two big portraits of Baba found in Dwarkamai. Five padukas are located at, one on left near cooking place. Second on the wall where he said to have leaned his arm while cooking. Third near dhuni where he used to sit near dhuni. Fourth where Baba used to sit for meeting. Fifth on the black stone kept at right side of entrance.



Sai Baba's Chavadi



Next place to visit is Chavadi. During the last decade of Sai Baba’s life, he used to spend alternate nights at Chavadi. Thus the place became very important. The depiction of Sai Baba, which was placed on a silver stool in the right side of the Chavadi is now placed near his Samadhi. The Chavadi is divided into two. One part of the Chavadi has a large portraiture of Baba. It also contains a wooden bed and a white chair which belongs to Baba.



Dakshinmukhi Hanuman statue in Shirdi

Next place to visit was the Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Mandir. It is situated very near the main temple. It has one of the most beautiful Hanuman statues I have ever seen. The atmosphere was really serene and fulfilling for the mind. 'Stotras' made the place alive and it was really satisfying to take a part in the chantings and stotras. It went one for about 45 minutes. After that it was time to hit the road again.

 



A typical day at Shirdi



Once finished seeing all the religious places, it is a small and bustling place thriving with devotees from various parts of the country. There are many shops mostly selling articles related to Shri Sai Baba and other religious articles. Some restaurants are there, but the prices were exorbitant to my liking :P. Kailash Parvat there, is a nice place to have your lunch. It is a place typical to any other religious places in India with religion being the prime object in all of the town. The bus station and rent car stops are really close to the temple. If somebody likes, they can rent a car and go for a quick trip for Shani Shingnapur as it is pretty close to Shirdi. In fact most people go for joint trip of Shirdi and Shani Shingnapur. But time was against us and we had no time to go for a Shani Shingnapur trip. our return bus was scheduled for 12:45 and we had to be at the bus station before that.

The bus left on time and within half an hour Shirdi was out of sight. And we started a long journey back towards Pune. But this trip of Shordi for the first time will forever be etched in my mind.

Guide: Shirdi is about 184 KMs from Shirdi and takes around 4 Hrs by car. The best time to leave for Shirdi is in the night so you can reach very early in the morning and attend the morning Aarti. The road to take is Map of Pune to Shirdi by road.

Video of Aarti at Shirdi temple :Aarti At Shirdi Temple

So hope you guys enjoy your trip to Shirdi as much as I did. Will be back with some more interesting travel stories soon :)