Shirdi | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 | |
| Nickname(s): Shirdi Nagari; Sainagar Shirdi | |
  Shirdi  Shirdi | |
| Coordinates: 19°46′N 74°29′E / 19.77°N 74.48°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Ahmednagar |
| Taluka | Rahata |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Council |
| • Body | Shirdi Municipal Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13 km2 (5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 504 m (1,654 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 36,004 |
| • Density | 2,800/km2 (7,200/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Marathi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 423109 |
| Telephone code | 02423 |
| Vehicle registration | MH-17 |
| Website | www |
Shirdi (ⓘ; also known as Sainagar) is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is located in the Rahata taluka of Ahmednagar District. It is accessible via the Ahmednagar–Malegaon State Highway No.10, approximately 83 km (52 mi) from Ahmednagar and 15 km (9.3 mi) from Kopargaon. It is located 185 km (115 mi) east of the Western Seashore line (the Ahmednagar–Manmad road), a very busy route.
Shirdi is famously known as the home of the late 19th century saint Shri Sai Baba.[1] The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust located in Shirdi is one of the richest temple organisations.[2] One of the most famous pilgrim centres of India, Shirdi is where Shri Sai Baba, the saint known for his divine powers, lived and preached for over five decades. Samadhi Temple, where he lived, has a room that depicts articles and things used by Shri Sai during his lifetime, and is therefore quite significant for his disciples, who follow his teachings and rever him till date. The temple also houses his mortal remains.
Every day, over 60,000 tourists and devotees from all faiths and religions throng to the temple, and this number increases during festive seasons. The temple opens at 4:45 am[3] and one has to wait in a queue to get a glimpse of the idol and worship him. Other places related to the life of Shri Sai in Shirdi include Dwarkamai Mandir, Chavadi and Gurusthan.
Dwarkamai Mandir, where Baba lived, with a temple inside, is the only one of its kind and importance in India. Another interesting aspect of the dwarkamai mandir is that the dhuni, or holy fire that Sai Baba lit here has been always kept burning to this day. The ash that falls from the dhuni called Udi is considered to have healing powers.
Baba used to spend a lot of time sitting under the Neem tree, and the amazing thing is that the leaves of this neem tree is sweet:This is considered to be one of the greatest miracles of Baba. And There is a Gurusthan under the Neem tree where, according to Baba, the Samadhi of his own guru is located and Where Baba was found during his Balyog or Yuva avastha.This place is considered to be a very important because of this reason. [4]
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