Shirdi

Shirdi is a town in the Ahmednagar district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is situated in the western part of the state, near the towns of Rahata and Kopargaon. The town is best known as the site of the shrine of Sai Baba of Shirdi, a spiritual teacher who is revered by followers of Hinduism and Islam alike. Sai Baba is believed to have lived in Shirdi from the late 19th century until his death in 1918. His teachings emphasized devotion to God, charity, non-violence, and the unity of religions, and he attracted a diverse following during his lifetime.

After his death, a temple complex was built around his tomb, known as the Shirdi Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir. The temple, along with related sites such as the Dwarkamai (the mosque where he is said to have stayed), the Chavadi, and the Lendi Baug (a garden associated with his life), forms the core of Shirdi's pilgrimage site. The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust administers the temple and oversees charitable activities and facilities for pilgrims.

Shirdi receives millions of visitors annually, drawn by the Sai Baba temple and associated religious events. Festivals such as Ram Navami, Guru Poornima, and the anniversary of Sai Baba's death are observed with large numbers of devotees and cultural programs. The town's economy is heavily oriented toward tourism and pilgrimage infrastructure, including lodging, meals, and transportation services.

Access to Shirdi is by road and rail; the nearest major railway junction is Manmad, with broader air connections via airports at Nashik and Aurangabad, and to a lesser extent, at other regional hubs.