At sai's feet. Review on Shirdi

Shirdi, my first trip to this place was when I was 12 yrs old today iam 26 and I still visit this place ,this mere fact reflects the belief and devotion I have in Shri sai baba.and baba as a way of calling his devotees.Today shirdi has a complete new look there are many modern constructions ,many hotels have sprung up like the goradias and the sun and sand ,there are also dharamshalas and inns.there is accomodation to suit every travellers budget needs.There are shops lined against the roads selling pictures, calenders, lockets ,idols of shri sai baba.We left from mumbai at 7 in the morning and by 1.30 we were in shirdi.This was my first trip after my wedding and I had gone to shirdi to seek babas blessings.One can find a lot of newly weds who come to seek babas blessings.Shirdi is accesible by road and by rail but is more convenient to travel by road one can also halt at Nashik on the way and take a break in journey.There are also buses which ply from mumbai pune nashik that go to shirdi.We reached shirdi and proceed to a hotel called Kalpataru where we had booked a room for the day after having a pure vegetarian lunch at the hotel we proceeded for babas darshan, the temple generally closes for an hour after the aarti in the afternoon ,so we went after the temple gates opened,the temple gates open at 4.ooam in the morning when the first aarti is begins its called the kakad aarti.We reached in the afteernoon so could not attend this aarti.We had gone on a monday so there was'nt a long line for darshan but we stood for half an hour and it was all worth it when we got the oppurtunity to get babas blessings .After which we visited Dwarkamai where baba used to spend most of his time and there is the holy fire which is still burning and one can take the holy udi which baba used to cure people with.Then one can also seee the pipal tree under which baba used to sit,then there is chavdi the other place where baba used to sleep in one section of this place ladies aren't allowed.There is also a a beautiful museum where artifacts from the times of baba are placed.Weekends and thursdays and the ramnavmi day are the days when shirdi is flocked with people.During summers the climate is generally hot but the winters are generally pleasant one must carry warm clothing during this time.The hotels in shirdi serve only vegetarian fare and no alchohol.There are seperate lines for prasad where one can obtain it.The people here are friendly and speak the local language which is marathi, and they also speak hindi.One feels very peaceful on visiting this place so I suggest that atleast once one should visit this place.

Pros : a peaceful place

Cons: