indiapackages

Important Places at Shirdi

Samadhi Temple

The construction of the Samadhi Temple was started by Sri But! during the lifetime of Sai Baba, with a view to having a temple of Sri Krishna. At a time when the construction was almost complete, Sai Baba said that he would stay over there. So after Sai Baba attained Nirvana (eternal peace) His mortal remains were buried at the place. The white marble pavement of the Samadhi was made afterwards. The marble statue prepared by sculptor Sri Talini of Bombay was installed by the side of the Samadhi in 1954. The spacious hall in front of the Samadhi was also paved with marble tiles later. The people coming for darshan, come first into the hall, which is decorated with photos, of the saints and devotees of Sai Baba. The statue of Sai Baba, in a sitting position is such that He looks to every devotee coming for darshan in to the hall. In a room, on the left side of the hall, the articles used by Sai Baba are exhibited. There is a cellar below the rooms on the right-side where valuables are kept. There is gallery on the first floor and there are several rooms

Dwarkamayee Masjid

This was an old Masjid named as Dwarka Mai by Sai Baba Himself. He lived here all day and used to sit on a big stone, which is still preserved. A portrait of Sai Baba, painted during His lifetime, is also kept here. In front of the portrait, the sacred dhuni (fire) kindled by Sai Baba is kept burning since then. A grinding stone, a bathing stone, a wooden pillar, chulha (stove), padukas (slippers) and Tuls! (Holy Basil) Vrindavan, which were used by Sai Baba are all maintained here. Rath (carriage) and the pallanquin are also kept here in a small room. The udi, taken out from the ever-blazing dhuni, is used by the devotees as miraculous ash.

Chavadi

It is placed to the east of Dwarkamai. Sai Baba used to rest at this place every alternate night. A number of portraits of deities are exhibited here since the days of Sai Baba. A wooden plank and a wheel chair brought for Baba but never used by Him, are also kept here.

Gurusthan
This is the place of Sai Baba's Guru. Sai Baba used to sit here under a neem (margosa) tree, leaves of which lost their bitterness due to the grace of Sai Baba., Incense is burnt here day and night in a pot, in front of the Temple, wherein Lord Shiva's pindi and Nandi are installed and padukas of Lord Sai Baba are also kept.

Lendi bagand Nandadeep Lendi nalla (stream) was flowing though this land and there was a burial ground at the place. Sai Baba dug a well here and He used to take out drinking water from it. Now the Lendi nalla is filled and a garden is laid there. A Nandadeep lamp is kept burning there since the day of Sai Baba, who used to sit here on a par (stone) near the Nandadeep, below the neem tree. This park is renovated and maintained. A new Dattatreya (the primordial guru) Temple has been built in the garden in front of the Ashwattha tree. There is the Samadhi of the horse Shamsunder, who used to bow down to Sai Baba and thereafter to the Samadhi daily, till its death. There are the Samadhis of Baba's devotees Abdul Baba, Nanavalli, Bhau Maharaj and Tatya at the entrance of the Lendibag.

Khandoba Temple

This is a small temple called Khandoba of Lord Shiva situated on the Ahmednagar-Kopargaon road. It was at this temple that Sai Baba was first greeted by Sri Mahalsapati as "Ya, Sai"

Mahadev,Shani and Ganesh Temples These three temples are built in a line. The Mahadev Temple is very old and a statue of a tiger has been installed behind the Nandi. There is a dhuni in the Shani Temple also. The Ganesh Temple is also very old. There are the Keshav Temple and Mangal Karyalaya, built in recent years beyond the road on the eastern side

Routine at Shirdi

The Kakad Aarti (the early morning worship and prayer) is performed very early in the morning at 5.15 a.m. in the main sanctum sanctorium where Baba's body has been entombed. Then the Samadhi and the idol are washed ceremonially and clad. Everyday from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. the music of S ai Geet (devotional songs on Sai) is played. Then the abhishek (bathing of the deity) begins at 7.30 a.m. The noon aarti (mid-day prayer) takes place exactly at noon. After this aarti there is a break until the programme of singing, bhajan and kirtan (devotional songs) in the afternoon. There is aarti again at 6.30 p.m. (sunset prayer). Then there is kirtan or bhajan till 10 p.m. and the last aarti, i.e., Shej-aarti (night prayer) takes place at 10 p.m. The idol and the Samadhi are covered by a mosquito net and the Lord Sri Sai Baba is thereafter deemed to have

gone to sleep as the devotees lovingly treat Him as a father.

On Thursdays, there is a procession of the palki (Baba's carriage) and the padukas (Baba's slippers) at night and five gunshots are fired at the time of the procession. Loudspeakers are arranged at the time of the aarti and on festival days.

Some important tips while planning a visit to Shirdi

All formal worship of Shri Sai like Mangal Snan (Holy bath), Abhishek, Aarti are performed in the Samadhi temple only. The temple opens at 5.00 a.m. but the devotees make the darshan queue before 4.00 a.m..
No offerings like garland, flowers, coconut, cloth etc. are accepted during Mangal Snan (Holy bath), ceremonial worship (Shodashopachaar) and aartis (all four aartis).
The first ‘ darshan ’ of the day, begins after the morning programme of worship (Morning aarti, Mangal Snan, Shodashopachar ) at around 7.00 AM. The offering are accepted only during 'Darshan ' hours
Any offering like any ceremonial gift or cloth are registered in the Donation Office of the Trust before being offered in the temple. In case, devotees wish to take back the offered cloth as a token of blessing they need not to register the same in the office. The offered cloth and articles come for sale at sale counter of the trust. The public auction takes place on Thursday and Sunday around 10.00 a.m. near Satyanarayan puja hall.
If devotee wishes to donate cash, should either deposit it in the Donation Office (with due receipt) or put it directly into one of the donation boxes, placed at all important places of temple complex.
Photography (still or movie) is strictly prohibited during Mangal Snan (Holy bath) of Baba and Aartis (all four aartis). Devotees may take photographs during the hours of darshan only, for video recording a prior permission of the Temple-in-charge is required.
In the Samadhi temple for standing in the main hall, the arrangement of queue for ladies and gents is separate. This should be particularly borne in mind while taking along the small children.
There is by and large no restriction on darshan during the day in Dwarkamai masjid, Chawri, Gurusthan and Nanda deep except a few minutes while attending to the dhuni or offering food to Shri Sai.
In Chawri ladies are not allowed to enter the section where Baba used to retire to sleep in old times.
The main temple (Samadhi Mandir) is open from 5.00 AM to 10.30 PM, where as Dwarkamai masjid, Chawri, Gurusthan are closed around 8.30 PM.
On the main day of celebrations on important ccasions like Ram Navami, Dussehra, Guru purnima the temple is open throughout the night for darshan. On such occasions special programmes of devotional songs are organised by the Trust. On the days when the temple is open through night, the ‘ Shej aarti ’ (Night aarti) is not offered and the daily programme of the following day begins without the morning aarti (from Mangal Snan onwards).
On every Thursday ‘ Palki ’ procession takes place at around 9.15 p.m. from Samadhi Mandir to Dwarkamai and then to Chawri. On important occasions like Ram Navami, Dussehra, Guru purnima, Shivratri and Ekadashi (Ashaad / Kartik) ‘ Palki ’ goes around the Shirdi village. Shej aarti (Night aarti) is offered only after the ‘ Palki ’ returns to the Samadhi temple.
Always keep your footwear safely at the footwear-counter provided in the temple complex. If they are not deposited in the indicated place they may get lifted in no time!
All the priests and workers in the temples are employees of the Shirdi Sai Sansthan. Therefore, no gifts or donations should be offered to them.
Be cautious about the prices while taking the garland, coconut etc (as a package) from the nearby shops. You may avoid being overcharged by them.
A similar word of caution for those who offer to donate milk to the dogs and food to the beggars.
Avoid the touts for getting an accommodation. It is advisable to approach any hotel/lodge directly. There is a wide choice of hotels/lodges in Shirdi, suiting the budget of all.
For the convenience of devotees there are :

A canteen for the tea/coffee/refreshments.
A canteen ‘ Prasadalay ’ giving subsidised meals.
Railway reservation counter (limited quota)
State Transport Bus Booking Counter.
A publication counter of the Sansthan (Sai leela magazine, Sai Satcharitra and other Sai literature)
Lockers to keep the things safe when the visit to Shirdi is for a few hours at 'Sulabh' complex, situated near 'Prasadalaya'.

Udi (sacred ash) is the most blessed thing to take home with you from this pilgrimage. It is distributed (a spoonful only) outside the Samadhi temple through the ‘ Udi ’ counter after Noon aarti and Evening aarti.

IMPORTANT CELEBERATIONS

RAM NAVMI

Ram Navami (Birthday of Lord Ram the Incarnation) celebrations were started with Baba’s permission in Dwarkamai mosque in the year 1898. Devotees regarded this auspicious day as the birthday of Lord Sai alike Lord Ram, an incarnation. The celebrations continue for three days. On the first day a procession is taken out with Baba’s photo and Sai Satcharitra (The life history of Baba written by Shri Hemadpant in Marathi). On the same day the Palki procession goes round the village of Shirdi. On the main day (Ramnavami) Godavari (Baba used to call it ‘ Ganga’ ) water is brought in Kawads and this water is used for Baba’s Mangal snan (Holy bath). In the evening on the main day chariot procession is taken out going round the village with much fervour and devotion. The temple is open for the whole night for darshan on the main day. Various devotional programmes are conducted on this occasion for all the three days.

GURU PURNIMA

Guru-purnima festival was started with Baba’s permission during his time. This day is marked for offering worship to one’s spiritual Master with reverence and love. It falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month ‘Ashaad ' (July-August). The celebrations continue for three days. The temple is open for the whole night for darshan on main day. Various devotional programmes are conducted on this occasion for all the three days.

VIJAYA DASHAMI (DUSSEHRA)

Vijaya Dashmi (Dussehra) festival is celebrated as Baba’s Maha Samadhi day. The day Baba left his physical body . After the Maha Samadhi of Baba, Vijaya Dashmi or ‘Dussehra’ has come to be the most important festival at Shirdi as the anniversary of the Supreme event – Shri Sai Baba’s Mahasamadhi. The celebrations continue for three days. The temple is open for the whole night for darshan on main day. Various devotional programmes are conducted on this occasion for all the three days.

DATTA JAYANTI

Baba is known as the full incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, therefore the traditional festival of ‘Dattajayanti’ (the anniversary of Divine descent of Lord Dattatreya) has become another important celebration in Shirdi.

KARTHIK EKADASHI

Ekadashi (Shuddh) is the 11th day of the bright half of the month. The devotees of Lord Vishnu observe this day with much devotion and austerity. On two occasions of Ekadashi days (Kartik and Ashaad) the Palki procession takes place with Vitthal's image along with Baba.

MAHA SHIVRATRI

Maha Shivratri, is a night of spiritual congregation. The devotees of Lord Shiva celebrate it with much fervour and devotion. On the occasions of Shivratri the Palki procession takes place with Lord Shiva's image along with Baba.

GOKUL ASHTAMI

Gokul Ashtmi is celebrated to mark the auspicious day of the birth of Lord Krishna, an Incarnation

Climate:

	Min. Temp.	Max. Temp.
Summer (April – June)	20° Celsius	36° Celsius
Monsoon (July – September)	18° Celsius	30° Celsius
Autumn (October – November)	18° Celsius	28° Celsius

ITINERARY : MUMBAI – SHIRDI – MUMBAI

Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai

Garlanding on arrival , meeting and assistance and transfer to hotel . Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Mumbai – Shirdi

Morning depart by surface to Shirdi . On arrival check-in at hotel . Afternoon visit

temples . Overnight at hotel .

Day 03 : Shirdi – Mumbai

Morning depart by surface to Mumbai . On arrival check-in at hotel . Overnight at hotel .

Day 06 : In Mumbai

Morning city tour . Afternoon at leisure . Overnight at hotel .

Day 07 : Depart Mumbai

In time transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

End of The Tour

Hotels Envisaged

City	Standard Hotels	Superior Hotels
Mumbai	Sahil	Fariyas
Tirupati	Shraddha Park Inn	Sun N Sand

TOTAL TOUR COST : Our nett price to operate the above tour is

No. of Pax Travelling		Per Person Price in Indian Rupees
	Standard Package	Superior Package
	Twin	Triple	Twin	Triple
02 Pax	8727	NA	12074	NA
03 Pax	NA	6568	NA	9201
04 to 06 Pax	7343	6734	10408	9368
07 to 09 Pax	6871	6262	9936	8895
10 to 14 Pax + 01 Free	6362	5753	9427	8386
15 to 19 Pax + 01 Free	5421	4812	8486	7445
20 to 24 Pax + 01 Free	5175	4566	8240	7200

The following specific services are included in the rates:-

Meeting and assistance by our representative on arrival and Departures.
All Transfers , Sightseeing and Overland drives as per the itinerary by non air conditioned Transportation ( Car / Coach )
Services of local English speaking guide during sightseeing as per the itinerary
Hotel accommodation on Twin / Triple sharing on bed and breakfast basis with attached bath for a total no. of nights as mentioned in the programme, inclusive of service charges and presently applicable taxes.
Free surprise gift.
One bottle of mineral water daily on Complimentary basis .

Check-in/ out time at all the hotels is 12 noon.

Rates do not include:-

Any airfare, Trainfare, airfare, services of personal nature i.e Table drinks, Tips, Laundry, Telephone bills, meals,
Portage , Tips , entrance charges, and any other expenses
Any airport departure tax.
Any thing not mentioned in Cost include

Hope you find above in order . Looking forward to your reply with acceptance of price .