How To Reach - Nasik To Shirdi

By Author: Rashmiranjan Patil
Total Articles: 261
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Nasik, a religious city in Maharashtra, is situated at the foothills of Western Ghats on the bank of Godavari River. According to legends, Lord Rama along with his brother Lakshmana and wife Sita had spent 14 years of their exile at Tapovan near here.

At this very place, it is believed, Lakshmana had slashed off the nose of Surpanakha. The place is, therefore, called Nasik which meant nose. Nasik area was widely referred in Ramayana which included Sita Gumpha caves in Panchvati.

Nasik is considered as one of the holy Hindu pilgrim cities. The city organises Kumbh Mela, which is held in every 12 years. Trimbakeshwar, few kilometres from city, has one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples.

There are several places in Nasik which are associated with Lord Rama. Panchvati, where Lord Rama spent some time in exile, is situated on the banks of Godavari River. It is marked by five banyan trees. Another place is Ramkund where Lord Ram used to bathe.

Other places of tourist attraction are Kelaram Temple and Mukti Dham Temple. There are inscriptions of Bhagvad Gita in Mukti Dham Temple.

The distance from ...
... Nasik to Shirdi, known as the 'Land of Sai', is about 112 km. Nasik has an airport which has connectivity with Mumbai. There is a railway station in Shirdi (Sainagar Shirdi), which is situated at a distance of 10 km from town centre. Kopergaon station, situated on the Manmad-Daund line, is 16 km away from the temple town. Manmad station is 58 km away. However, to reach Shirdi from Nasik by rail is cumbersome.

Most convenient way to travel from Nasik to Shirdi is by road. State Transport and private buses run on this route at regular intervals. Shirdi can be reached from Nasik in less than three hours. Taxi services are available and the journey costs about Rs.2300.

Shirdi, known for great saint Shirdi Sai Baba, is a popular destination of pilgrims throughout the year. Sai Baba, who was born in 1838, first visited the place when he was sixteen and stayed there until his death in 1918. A temple, spread over an area of 200 sq metres, was constructed in Shirdi in 1922 in Baba’s memory. An estimated 25000 pilgrims visit the temple daily.

Temple complex includes Khandoba, Gurusthan, Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai, Chavadi and Lendi Baug. Maruti Temple and Shani Temple, constructed under the supervision of Shirdi Sai Baba, are the other places of attraction in Shirdi. Samadhi of Abdul Baba contains the mortal remains of the man who used to read Quran to Sai Baba.

Shirdi, which is a small town spread over an area of 3 sq km, shot into fame only during 20th century. No dearth of accommodation options in Shirdi.