Oshirdi

Oshirdi, also written Shirdi, is a town in the Ahmednagar district of the western Indian state of Maharashtra. It lies in the Rahata taluka, about 250 kilometers northeast of Mumbai and roughly 180–200 kilometers from Pune. The town is best known as the site of the shrine of Sai Baba of Shirdi, a spiritual teacher who lived there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is revered by followers of Hinduism and Islam alike.

At the heart of Oshirdi is the Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, part of the larger Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan complex. The temple and associated charitable activities attract millions of visitors annually, making the town one of India's major pilgrimage centers. The Sansthan operates temples, ashrams, hospitals, schools, and langars that provide free meals to visitors and the needy.

Historically, Sai Baba's life stories and teachings emphasize faith (shraddha) and patience (saburi) and promote religious tolerance and universal brotherhood, leading to widespread devotion across diverse communities.

Economy and culture: Beyond the temple, Oshirdi supports tourism infrastructure, including lodging, markets, and transportation services catering to pilgrims. Seasonal festivals, especially the anniversary of Sai Baba's death and major religious events, draw large crowds.

Transport: Oshirdi has railway access via nearby stations on the region's rail network; road connections link it to major cities. The nearest commercial airports are located in Pune and Mumbai.