One Day Pune to Shirdi Trip by Cab
Known as the land of Shri Sai Baba, Shirdi is visited by approximately twenty-five thousand visitors every day and the number goes up to a hundred thousand visitors during the peak seasons. Most people travelling to Pune, often take a one day trip to Shirdi from Pune to pay their respects to the world-renowned spiritual master, Shri Shirdi Sainath.
He is considered as the sole creator and destroyer of the universe and is worshipped by millions of people of all religions, all across the globe. He is also known as the reincarnation of Lord Shiva, which is why one can find a Shiva Linga both at its temple and under the famous neem tree.
The town of Shirdi which used to be a quaint village gained popularity and became a popular pilgrimage destination after Shri Sai Baba made it his home. Shri Sai Baba, who visited Shirdi as a young boy meditated here continuously for three years post which he left rather suddenly. He then returned to Shirdi in 1858. He used to preach spirituality and soon became popular for his magical powers of treating ailments & performing miracles.
What to Expect
Your one One Day Pune to Shirdi Trip by Car will begin early in the morning. We will be covering a distance of approximately 190 km in four and a half hours via Pune – Ahmednagar Highway and NH160. All places of interest here have a story from Shri Sai Baba’s life and will help you understand his preachings better.
We will first start by visiting the Shri Sai Baba Temple, which is where you can take the primary Darshan. We will then visit the Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Temple where baba often visited to perform Satsang and meet the yogis.
From here we will be visiting the Dwarkamai Masjid and the Chavadi, where Shri Sai Baba slept on alternate days. Last but not least, on your day trip to Shirdi, we will be visiting the Gurusthan where Shri Sai Baba was first spotted.
Places to Visit with One Day Pune to Shirdi Trip by Car
1. Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
The key attraction of Shirdi is the Baba Temple which is dedicated to Shri Sai Baba and is nestled in the heart of the Shirdi Village. Spread over 200 square metres, worshippers of both the Hindu & Muslim communities come here to pay their respects to Shri Sai Baba.
As soon as you enter the temple complex, you will be filled with high energy & positive vibes. It is often considered a great privilege to be able to take the Darshan because of the heavy influx of worshippers. Hence it is recommended that one must book the darshan online to avoid the hassle of getting a pass at the last moment.
The temple is surrounded by high boundary walls and has five different arched gateways that one can use:
Gate No. 1 is used by visitors to take the ‘Mukh Darshan’ of Shri Sai Baba from a distance.
Gate No. 2 is currently not in use.
Gate No.3 which is an entry gate for senior citizens and differently-abled. However, this can also be used as an exit gate by all to reach the Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Temple or Baba Shri’s Chavadi.
Gate No.4 which is both an entry and an exit gate and can be accessed by all with passes.
Gate No.5 which can be availed by worshippers who come without passes
If one is looking forward to a priority Darshan, they can avail a special pass from the ticket counter. Despite the long queue, you can find devotees patiently waiting for the Darshan.
The statue of Shri Sai Baba is made using white marble and the room in which it is kept is done with gold. The statue of Shri Sai Baba is treated as a real being and as such is given a hot water bath every morning and is also offered all the meals of the day. His statue is adorned with a gold crown. At night, his statue is surrounded by a mosquito net and a glass of water is kept by his side to ensure a night of sound sleep.
Even though over twenty thousand tourists visit this temple every day, the temple complex is clean, well maintained and well ventilated. The temple comes equipped with a canteen, facility of accommodation, prayer rooms, Prasadalay, bookstall etc which makes visiting it easy and comfortable.
Do note that phones and digital gadgets are prohibited inside the temple complex. One can keep them at the locker available outside.
Things To Do: One must try to attend the morning or the evening aarti while visiting the Shri Sai Baba Temple.
Timings: Open on all days from 4 am to 11.15 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Recommended Duration: 2 Hours
2. Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Temple
Located only a few metres away from Gate No.3 of Shri Sai Baba Temple is the Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Temple which is one of the oldest temples of Shirdi. Also commonly known as Maruti Mandir, a visit to this temple is a must in your Shirdi day tour.
The temple has been renovated recently by the Shirdi Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust and a new idol has also been placed. This is why you will see two huge idols of Lord Hanuman, both of which are facing south, which is why it is known as ‘Dakshin Mukhi’ meaning, Facing South. One can also find here a Shiv Linga and a statue of Nandi, the abode of Lord Shiva.
Since Lord Hanuman is known to be the god of power and strength and his capabilities of even being able to lift an entire mountain is well known, there are dumbbells and weights kept at a corner near his idols.
It is said that Shri Sai Baba who was highly attached to the temple, used to frequently visit it and used to perform a few strange expressions, giving a feeling that he is talking to somebody. He used to also visit the temple to meet the Yogis who used to reside at the temple complex.
On various special occasions, when the palki of Shri Sai Baba is taken out, it always halts at this temple. An offering of Sesame oil on all days of the week is a very common practice at this temple. People also offer flowers and garlands as a part of their prayers.
There is also a well-kept canteen behind the temple where one can get simple refreshments.
Things To Do: Being surrounded by Neem Trees, this temple despite being crowded offers a kind of peace that helps you in meditation. Take out ten minutes and spend time with your spiritual self at Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Temple during your One Day Pune to Shirdi Trip.
Timings: Open on all days from 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Recommended Duration: 30 Minutes
3. Dwarkamai Masjid
Another popular destination that all devotees of Shri Sai Baba pay a visit during their one day Shirdi trip is the Dwarkamai Masjid. It is said that Shri Sai Baba spent a huge amount of his time and even his last few moments were spent in peace & tranquillity here.
Undoubtedly, the positive vibes that this place generates can be felt by all. As soon as you enter the complex of this mosque, you can feel that your soul is surrounded by powerful energy and that you are far away from any kind of negativity.
It is said that this mosque was in ruins, but when Baba started living here, he turned it around. Dwarkamai, meaning, Mother of Mercy was Baba’s way of conveying that there is only one universal God.
You must have often heard the phrase ‘Sabka Maalik Ek’, literally meaning ‘there is only one god’ which is what Shri Sai Baba preached. Despite being a mosque, it has a temple within it, which is a very uncommon sight to see. Shri Sai Baba never differentiated or had any bias for any religion, caste, creed or gender.
Talking of its architecture, Dwarkamai has two storeys. On the first storey, one can find a huge statue of Shri Sai Baba along with a big platform made of stone where Baba used to sit. It is here that he would solve problems, cure people of their diseases and even perform magical treatments for those who truly needed it. On this level, one can also find a chariot in one room and a palanquin in the other.
On the second storey, one can a square shaped stool made with stone where Baba used to take his bath. Another notable feature is an old oil-painting of Shri Sai Baba which adorns one of the walls of Dwarkamai. One can find various devotees from different religions praying here. This is what in reality brings positive vibes, where everybody is united as one.
Must See: One must find a wooden vessel where Baba used to store all the alms from all his devotees.
Timings: Open on all days from 5:30 AM – 9:45 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Recommended Duration: 30 Minutes
4. Chavadi, Shirdi
While Shri Sai Baba mostly stayed at the Dwarkamai, but during Monsoons, due to the dilapidated walls of the mosque, there used to be water leakage which made it inappropriate for him to stay there. Out of care and devotion, all the villagers requested Shri Sai Baba to stay at the Chavadi, essentially a common meeting point in the village.
Just like Dwarakamai, Shri Sai Baba with his blessings turned a regular Chavadi into a prosperous establishment. Later, Baba started coming here every alternate day. This is why until date, the palki procession of Shri Sai Baba happens at the Chavadi on every alternate day.
Until today, there is a wooden bed where Shri Sai Baba used to sleep along with his white chair. There is also a large portrait of him and devotees come here to take darshan. Chavadi has two separate lines for men & women. The Chavadi is very close to Dwarakamai and should not be missed on this one day pune to Shirdi trip.
Must See: During your One Day Pune to Shirdi Trip, one must attend the Dhoop Aarti in the evening if time permits
Timings: Open on all days from 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Entry Fee: Free
Recommended Duration: 30 Minutes
5. Gurusthan, Shirdi
Shri Sai Baba came to Shirdi he was first spotted under a neem tree. This place was later termed as Gurusthan. Meaning, ‘the seat of the teacher’, It is said that it was also the tomb of Shri Sai Baba’s Guru. This place will be your last place to visit on your one day Pune to Shirdi trip by car.
Here, under the Neem tree, you can spot a shrine of Shri Sai Baba which has been constructed using white marble along with a Shiva Linga. An interesting thing to note is that the leaves of the neem tree are sweet unlike the leaves of the other trees which are bitter.
Things to do: Light an incense stick here since it is believed that by doing so one can be cured of their pain.
Timings: All the days of the week: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Recommended Duration: 30 Minutes