Shirdi is a sacred, powerful and important place of pilgrimage, located
at a distance of around 90kms from Nasik, in Kopargam taluk of Ahmednagar
district. This small hamlet is famous for the temple of Shri Sai Baba,
the great saint of the 20th century. Sai Baba who lived in Shirdi for
more than 50 years of his life is believed to have arrived here at the
age of sixteen. His entire life was devoted for the upliftment of the
poor and people consider him as an embodiment of Lord Shiva. The great
saint left for heavenly abode in 1918 and a Sai Samadhi Mandir was built
by an ardent devotee, in the year 1922 to carry out the services of Shri
Sai Baba. The temple houses a life size statue of Sai Baba, made of Italian
marble. He can be seen seated on a giant throne with a silver umbrella
over his head. The temple also showcases various pictures depicting his
life and also various effects used by him. Here the saint is held in great
regard by both Hindus and Muslims and special poojas are held on very
Thursday.
Besides the temple, there are two more shrines namely Shri Gurusthan
Mandir and Dwarkamai, both dedicated to the same saint. Gurusthan, built
at the place where the saint is believed to be appeared first at Shirdi,
is considered as seat of the teacher. A neem tree is located at this place.
Devotees' burn incense sticks at the Shri Gurusthan Mandir, in order to
get their wishes fulfilled. Dwarkamai is the place where the Baba has
stayed, when he came to Shirdi for the second time.
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