Shirdi is famous for Saint Saibaba who is endowed with unprecedented powers, and is worshipped as a God incarnate with a white beard and penetrating glance, clad in the traditional attire of a poor fakir a ragged white robe and a kerchief around the head seated barefoot on a rock, his right ankle resting on his left knee. Both Hindus and Muslims believe in Saibaba and visit the Saibaba Temple at least once in a week, preferably on Thursday. On every Thursday, a special Aarti (prayer) is performed in the temple. Other places of tourist interest are the Gurusthan, the Khandoba Temple, the Shani Mandir, the Narsimha Mandir, the Changdev Maharaj Samadhi and the Sakori Ashram.
History
In history, his parents, birth or birthplace are not known. This mysterious Fakir first manifested himself as a young lad of sixteen under a Neem tree in Shirdi for the sake of Bhaktas and remained there throughout his long life. He transformed the lives of those who met him. For all the seekers he uttered only three words- 'Allah Achcha Karega' by way of his blessings. Baba stated that his mission is to “Give Blessings” without discrimination to all, and he proves it in myriad ways by healing the sick, saving lives, protecting the vulnerable, averting accidents, granting offspring, facilitating financial gain, bringing people into harmony within themselves and with each other and, above all, in effecting the spiritual evolution and transformation of those who came to him as the last resort.
Location
Shirdi is a small town in Kopergaon county of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra state. It falls on Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10 at 83 Km. from Ahmednagar, and 15 Km. from Kopargaon. It is some 200 miles east of Mumbai (Bombay) and 130 miles north of Pune.
Climate
This pilgrim spot has the most pleasant weather during Monsoons, between June and August. It is the time when the surroundings of Shirdi turn greenery all round. However, it has mostly dry climate. During summers you can expect the temperature shooting as high as 40º C in the month of May. Winters can be cold in Shirdi, with January often showing temperature dipping to as low as 7º C.
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