27.09.2010
Shirdi is North of Pune. Its actually nearer to go from Mumbai to Shirdi via Nashik. The road from Pune to Shirdi goes vis Ahmednagar. This is the district headquarters. Shirdi is in Ahmednagar district.
The foreword of the Sai Satcharitra begins with these words:
"Shree Sainath Maharaj came for the first time to Shirdi approximately fifty years ago. This village of Shirdi is in Kopergaon Taluka, of Ahmednagar District."
At that time, in the early 1900s, Shirdi must have been a small village with a few huts and houses around the mosque or Dwarka Mayee. Today Shirdi is a sprawling town spreading out. It is a pligrimage centre with millions of devotees thronging everywhere. They have even constructed a Mall called Sai Plaza right next to the temple!
We were lucky this time as there wasn't that much of a crowd in Shirdi. We were able to obtain a pass for the Shej Aarthi and had an extremely energizing Darshan. The Shej Aaarthi is performed at 10:30 PM at the end of the day. Aarthi Bajan is sung in unison by all and thereafter an account is given to Baba of the day's happenings!
Blessed are they who touch Shirdi soil.
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