Archive | August, 2022

Worshipping Baba’s Holy Paduka @ Home – A Guide

29 Aug

It is a rare privilege for devotees to be able to host Baba’s holy Paduka & Kafni  at their residence. Such is the divine power of Sainath – that to a sincere devotee this is like Baba himself coming home. It is a festive occasion full of divine joy.

This document provides inputs on

  1. Sri Mhalsapati and the Paduka in possession of the family
  2. Suggestions on the process to follow when the Padukas are brought to your residence
  3. Links to Ashtottara Namavali, popular Aarti / Bhajan

About Mhalsapati 

Mhalsapati, who had the benefit of forty to fifty unbroken years with Sai Baba, may be considered among the foremost of his devotees.

He was the first to worship Baba, the first to greet him on his arrival in Shirdi and to address him as “Sai” (Saint). Only Mhalsapati and one other devotee (Tatya Kote Patil) were allowed to stay with Baba in the mosque at night. When Baba went into a state of samadhi for 72 hrs he had told Mhalsapati that he would;d return to his body – against all odds Mhalsapati guarded Baba’s body safely.

Shirdi Sai Baba gifted a pair of Shoes (Paduka) and HIS Robe (Kafani) to him. These rare and holy items are taken care and still in the possession of the 4th generation of the Mhalsapati family. This BLOG highlights the wonderful experience we had at Bangalore when Ashok Ji and his wife came to Bangalore with Babaji’s Padukas in Sep 2022. We visited over 30 houses and 3 temples in a span of 5 days.

Guidelines for Paduka Puja at home as suggested by Mhalsapati family 

These are suggestions and not a rule. Please follow your own method of Guru Paduka Pooja as done by your ancestors. If no such tradition has been followed, you could do the following :

1. Please assemble at your apartment or house gate and bring a Thali (Plate) filled with kumkum water and Diyas (lights) to do the welcome Aarti.

2. Decorate the entrance / passage to your house with flowers.

3. The head of the family can carry the Paduka’s with reverence and devotion on his head into the residence. As the Paduka enter the house shower some petals along the way.

4. Baba’s Paduke should be placed on a decorated stool. Please place a photograph or murti of Baba if you have one at home. The Paduke is usually in the suitcase, but the glass casing can be brought out and placed on the table or stool.

5. The Paduke should be worshipped with Akshata (dry rice coloured with turmeric). No other material will be allowed since these are made of leather.

6. While performing the worship, we could recite the Sai Ashtoththara. After this, the Sai Aarti / Bhajan can be sung. You can also sing songs for your own Guru and this is also accepted by Baba.

6. After the Aarti and Bhajans, Baba’s paduke are offered Naivedya and Dakshina. (Please note, normally during Guru Paduka Puja, it is customary to offer Naivedya and Dakshina. This is NOT an ask for money, and please offer Baba anything you heart desires)

7. After the offering is made, the prasad should be distributed to all gathered on the occasion and everyone can offer Pranams to Baba’s paduke.

8. The head of the family will then carry Baba’s paduke to all corners of his house. The puja room, the kitchen, the bed rooms and all places where he wants Baba to visit.

9. After this, the Paduke will leave the residence. The whole program takes about 30 minutes, entry to exit.

10. Tips for Naivedyam – Anything served with devotion is good. Food liked by Baba include Khichdi, Palak, Puran Poli, Bakri, Halwa, Bharit & Kachrya (Dishes made with Brinjal), Guavas, Raisins etc

Some more Photos 

Ashok Mhalspati (Grandson of Mhalsapati) with his wife Aai. They live in Shirdi near Dwarka Mai in the same house where Mhalsapati used to live. The house is also the samadhi sthal of Mhalsapati.

Baba’s Kafni 

 

 

 

Bhajans & Aarti (Clickable links to YouTube)

Shirdi Sai Baba Ashtotram Namavali – 108 Names 

Aarti Sai Baba 

Aarti Sai Baba – Lata Mangeshkar

Sai Bhajan 

Sai Baba Ashtottara Namavali  (108 Names of Shirdi Sai Baba)

OM Sri Sai Nathaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Lakshmi naarayanaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Krishnaraamashiva maruthyaadhi roopaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Seshasai ne namaha
OM Sri Sai Godhavarithata shirdhivasi ne namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhakta hrudaalayaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sarva hrunnilayaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhoota vaasaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhootha bhavishyadbhaava varnithaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Kaalaa thiithaaya namaha || 10 ||

OM Sri Sai Kaalaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Kaala kaalaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Kaaladarpa damanaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Mrutyunjayaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Amarthyaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Marthyaa bhayapradhaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Jiivadhaaraaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sarvadhaaraaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhaktaavana samarthaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhaktavana prathikjnaaya namaha || 20 ||

OM Sri Sai Anna vastra daaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Aroogya ksheemadaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Dhana maangalyapradaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Buddhi siddhi pradaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Putra mitra kalathra bandhudaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Yogaksheema vahaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Aapadbhaandhavaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Maargabandhavee namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhukti mukti swargaapavargadaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Priyaaya namaha || 30 ||

OM Sri Sai Preeti vardhanaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Antharyaminee namaha
OM Sri Sai Sacchitatmanee namaha
OM Sri Sai Nityanandaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Parama sukhadaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Parameeshwaraaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Parabrahmanee namaha
OM Sri Sai Paramaatmanee namaha
OM Sri Sai Gnaana Swaroopinee namaha
OM Sri Sai Jagath pithre namaha || 40 ||

OM Sri Sai Bhaktaanaam maathru daathru pithaamahaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhaktaabhaya pradhaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhakta para dheenaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhaktaanugraha karaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sharaanagatha vatsalaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhakti shakti pradaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Gnana yraaghya prdaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Preema pradaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Samskhaya hrudaya dowurbhalya paapa karma vaasanaa kshayakaraaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Hrudayagranthi bheedakaaya namaha || 50 ||

OM Sri Sai Karma dhvamsiinee namaha
OM Sri Sai Suddasathva sthithaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Gunaatheetha gunaathmanee namaha
OM Sri Sai Anantha kalyaana gunaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Amitha parakramaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Jayinee namaha
OM Sri Sai Durdhaarshaa kshobyaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Aparaajitaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Trilookeeshu avighaatha gatayee namaha
OM Sri Sai Ashakya rahitaaya namaha || 60 ||

OM Sri Sai Sarva shakti murthayee namaha
OM Sri Sai Suroopa sundaraaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Suloochanaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bahuroopa vishwamuurthayee namaha
OM Sri Sai Aroopaavyaktaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Aachintyaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sookshmaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sarvaantharyaminee namaha
OM Sri Sai Manoovaaga theethaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Preemamoorthayee namaha || 70 ||

OM Sri Sai Sulabha durlabhaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Asahaaya sahaayaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Anaatha naatha deenabaandhavee namaha
OM Sri Sai Sarvabhaara bhrutee namaha
OM Sri Sai Akarmaaneeka karma sukarminee namaha
OM Sri Sai Punyasravana keerthanaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Theerthaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Vasudeevaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sataamgathayee namaha
OM Sri Sai Satyanaaraayanaaya namaha || 80 ||

OM Sri Sai Lokanaathaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Paavananaaghaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Amruthamsavee namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhaaskara Prabhaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bramhacharya tapascharyaadi suvrathaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Satyadharma paraayanaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Siddheshvaraaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Siddha sankalpaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Yogeshwaraaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Bhagwatee namaha || 90 ||

OM Sri Sai Bhakta vatsalaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sathpurushaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Purushootthamaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Satyatatva boodhakaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Kaamaadi shadyri dwamsinee namaha
OM Sri Sai Abheedaanandaama bhava pradhaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Samasarvamatha sammataaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sri Dakshinaa moorthiyee namaha
OM Sri Sai Sri Venkateesha ramanaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Adbhuthaanantha charyaaya namaha || 100 ||

OM Sri Sai Prapannarthi haraaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Samsaara sarva dukha kshayakaraaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sarva vitsarvato mukhaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sarvaantharbhahi stitaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sarvamangala karaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Sarvaabhiishta pradhaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai Samaras sanmaarga sthaapanaaya namaha
OM Sri Sai samartha sadguru Sri Sai nathaaya namaha || 108 ||

 108 Names of Shirdi Sai Baba Meaning

The One Who has the Wondrous Form of Lakshmi Narayana
The One Who is the Lord with the Form of Krishna, Rama, Shiva, and Anjaneya
The One Who Sleeps on Adi Shesha
The One Who Lived in Shirdi, Which is on the Shores of the Godavari
The One Who Merges with the Heart of His Devotees
The One Who Merges with all Hearts
The One Who Lives in all Beings
The One Who Removes Thoughts About the Past, Present, and Future
The One Who is Beyond Time || 10 ||

The One Who is Time
The One Who is the Killer of the God of Death
The One Who Removes the Pain Inflicted by the God of Death
The One Who has Conquered/Succeeded Death
The One Who is a Superhuman Being
The One Who Gives Salvation to Human Beings
The One Who is the Support of Life.
The One Who is the Support of Everything
The One Who is Worshipped by a Forest of Devotees
The One Who has Taken the Promise of Protecting His Devotees || 20 ||

The One Who Gives Food and Clothes
The One Who Grants Health and Comfort
The One Who Grants Well-Being and Health
The One Who Grants Wisdom and Power
The One Who Grants Sons, Friends, Wives, and Relatives
The One Who Looks After Our Well-Being
The One Who is the Friend in Times of Troubles and Distress
The One Who is Our Only Guide in Our Life Journey
The One Who Bestows Wealth, Everlasting Bliss and Eternal State (Heaven)
The One Who is Extremely Dear to Devotees || 30 ||

The One Who is Increases Our Devotion to God
The One Who is Indwelling Spirit
The One Who is Who is the Divine Truth
The One Who is Always Drowned in Eternal Bliss
The One Who Gives Immense (Divine) Pleasure
The One Who is the Supreme Lord
The One Who is the Ultimate Brahman
The One Who is the Divine Soul
The One Who is Wisdom Personified
The One Who is the Father of the universe || 40 ||

The One Who is Mother, Father, and Grandfather to all His Devotees
The One Who Gives Refuge to all Devotees
The One Who is in Control of His Devotees
The One Who Blesses His Devotees
The One Who Loves People Surrendering to Him
The One Who Gives Strength to His Devotees
The One Who Gives Wisdom and Renunciation
The One Who Showers Selfless Love on all His Devotees
The One Who Weakens the Weaknesses of the Heart and Propensity for Sins
The One Who Destroys the Attachment of the Heart || 50 ||

The One Who Destroys Our Sins Accumulated as a Result of Our Evil Activities
The One Who is in Pure Truth and Goodness
The One Who Possesses all Superior and Good Virtues
The One Who is the Limitless Good Qualities
The One Who Possesses Immeasurable Valour
The One Who is Always Victorious
The One Who Removes all Calamities of His Devotees
The One Who Can Never be Vanquished
The One Who can Freely Go Around all the Three Worlds Unobstructed
The One Who can Execute Everything Perfectly and Nothing is Impossible for Him || 60 ||

The One Who is the Idol of all Powers
The One Whose Form is Very Pretty
The One Whose Eyes are Attractive, Beautiful and Impressive
The One Who is the Form of the World with Several Forms
The One Who is Formless and Not Clear
The One Who is Beyond Thought
The One Who has a Micro-Form
The One Who is in Everything
The One Who is Beyond Mind and Words
The One Who is the Personification of Love || 70 ||

The One Who is Easy as Well as Difficult to Get
The One Who Helps People, Who Depend on Him
The One Who is the Merciful Lord of Orphans
The One Who Bears the Burden of Protecting His Devotees
The One Who Seems to be Not Doing Anything but Continuously Involved in Actions
The One Whose Sacred Name is Worthy of Being Sung and to be Listened to
The One Who is in the Form of all Sacred Rivers
The One Who is None Other Than Lord Krishna
The One Who is Always the Refuge of all
The One Who Possessed all the Merits of Being Worshipped by Good People || 80 ||

The One Who is the Lord of This Universe
The One Who Possesses the Most Sacred Form
The One Who is Divine Nectar
The One Who Shines Brilliantly Like the Sun
The One Who Observes the Penance of the Brahmachari
The One Who Embodies Truth and Righteousness
The One Who is the Master of all Eight Siddhis or Superhuman Faculties Like anima, legima etc
The One Who Executes His Wishes Perfectly and in no Time
The One Who is the Head of all Yogis or Ascetics
The One Who is the Supreme Lord of the Universe || 90 ||

The One Who is Fond of his Devotees
The One Who is Eternal, Unmanifest, Supreme Purusha
The One Who is the Highest and Supreme Being
The One Who Preaches the True Principles of Truth and Reality
The One Who Destroys the Six Foes, viz. Desire, Anger, Greed, Hatred, Pride, and Lust
The One Who Grants the Bliss of Realisation of the One Absolute
The One Who is Tolerant and Equal Towards all
The One Who is Dakshina Moorty (Lord Shiva)
The One Who is Lord Venkatesha (Lord Vishnu)
The One Who Performs Infinite, Marvellous Deeds (Miracles) || 100 ||

The One Who Removes the Difficulties of His Devotees
The One Who Reduces The Sorrow of the Entire World
The One Who is Omnipresent, With His Face Turning in all Directions, Omniscient
The One Who Exists Everywhere, Inside Everyone, and is all Knowing
The One Who is Always Doing Good and Auspicious for the Welfare of His Devotees
The One Who Fulfills the Genuine Wishes of his Devotees || 108 ||

 

Sai Baba Aarti

 

 Aarti Sai Baba

Saukhyadatara Jeeva Charana Rajatali

Dhyava Daasa Vishava Bhakta Vishava

Aarti Sai Baba

 

Jaaluniya Aananga

SwasvaroopiNahe Danga Mumukshu Jana Daavi

Nija Dola Shriranga, Dola Shriranga

Aarti Sai Baba

 

Jaya Mani Jaisah Bhaavah

Taya Taisa Anubhaava

Daavisi Dayaghaana

Aisi Tujhi Hi Maav , Tujhi Hi Maav

Aarti Sai Baba

 

Tumche Nam (Nav) Dhyata

Hari SansrutiVyatha

Agaadha Tavah Karani

Marga Daavisi Anatha, Daavisi Anatha

Aarti Sai Baba

 

Kaliyugi Avataara

Sagun Brahma Sachaara

Avateerna Jhalaasee

Swami Dutta Digambara, Dutta Digambara

Aarti Sai Baba

 

Atha Divsaa Guruvari

Bhakta Kariiti Vaari

Prabhupada Pahavaya

Bhava Bhaya Nivaari, Bhaya Nivaari

Aarti Sai Baba

 

Majha Nija Drava Theva

Tava Charan Rajaseva

Maagane Henchi Aata

Tumha Deva Di Deva, Deva Di Deva

Aarti Sai Baba

 

Iichit Din Chaatak

Nirmal Toya Nijasukha

Paajaven MadhavaYa

Saambhal Aapuli Bhaak, Aapuli Bhaak

Aarti Sai Baba

 

Aarti Sai Baba

Aarti Sai Baba

 

Meaning

 

आरती साई बाबा | सौख्यदातार जीवा. चरनरजातलि |

द्यावा दासा विसावा | भक्ता विसावा || आरती साई बाबा ||

(हम साई बाबा की आरती करे जो सभी जीवो को सुख देने वाले है |

है बाबा, हम दासो और भक्तो को आप अपनी चरण धूलि का आश्रय दीजिये | हम साई बाबा की आरती)

This Aarti is being done to Sai Baba, who gives happiness to all beings. Dear Sai – please provide your devotees and slaves shelter in the dust of your feet.

 

जाणुनिया अनंग | सस्वरुपी राहे दंग |

मुमुक्षुजन दावी | निज डोळा श्रीरंग || १ || आरती…||

(काम और इच्छाओ को जलाकर आप आत्मरूप मैं लीन हैं | हे साई। मुमुक्षजनों अर्थात मुक्ति की कामना करने वालेअपने नेत्रों से आप को श्रीरंग (विष्णु ) स्वरुप का दर्शन करें अर्थात् आप उन्हें आत्म साख्सात्कार दीजिये | हम साई बाबाकी आरती)

Having vanquished desire & lust You are in a state of divine bliss. People like us desiring Moksha wish to see your divine radiance. Please fulfil our wish.

 

जया मनी जैसा भाव | तयातैसा अनुभव |

दाविसी दयाघना | ऐसी तूझी ही माव तुझी ही माव || २ || आरती…||

(जिसके मन मैं जैसा भाव हो उसे आप वैसा ही अनुभव देते हैं | हे दयाधन (दया बरसानेवाले बादल) साई, आपकी ऐसीही माया है | हम साई बाबा की आरती)

Depending on the level of devotion of a devotee you express yourself accordingly to them. O Sai – You shower your grace on us,  this is your greatness.

 

तुमचे नाम ध्याता | हरे संस्क्रुतिव्यथा |

अगाध तव कारणी। मार्ग दाविसी अनाथा , दाविसी अनाथा ॥ ३ ॥ आरती… ॥

(आपके नाम के स्मरण मात्र से ही सांसारिक व्यथाओं का अंत हो जाता है। आपकी करनी तो अगाध और अपरमपार है।है साई, आप हम अनाथों को राह दिख्लाए। हम साई बाबा की आरती)

A mere chanting of Your name helps overcome the challenges of day to day life. Your divine grace is limitless. Please take orphans like us in Your fold and grant us Your blessings.

 

कलियुगी अवतार। सगुण परब्रह्म साचार।

अवतीर्ण झालासे। स्वामी दत्त दिगंबर दत्त दिगंबर | ४ ॥ आरती… ॥

(आपही परब्रह्म हैं, जिसने सगुण रूप मैं इस कलियुग मैं अवतार लिया। हे स्वामी, आप ही दत्त दिगंबर (ब्रह्मा, विष्णु औरमहेश का एक रूप – Shri दत्तात्रेय ) के रूप मैं अवतरित हुए। हम साई बाबा की आरती)

You are the infinite Brahman who has taken birth in this Kaliyuga. O Lord you are only the incarnation of Dutta Digambar (Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva)

 

आठां दिवसा गुरुवारी। भक्त करिती वारी।

प्रभुपद पहावया। भवभय निवारी , भय निवारी॥ ५ ॥ आरती…॥

(हर दिन आंठवे दिन अर्थात् सप्ताह के हर गुरुवार को भक्त शिरडी की यात्रा करते हैं। और इस संसार के भय निवारणहेतु आपके चरणों के दर्शन करते हैं. हम साई बाबा की आरती)

Every 8th day your devotees head to Shirdi on Thursday. The grace you bestow by a mere look at Your divine feet helps the devotee to overcome all the fears and anxieties of this world. 

 

माझा निजद्रव्य ठेवा। तव चरणरजसेवा।

मागणे हेची आता। तुम्हां देवाधिदेवा , देवाधिदेवा॥ ६ ॥ आरती… ॥

(आपके चरणों की धुल की सेवा ही मेरी समस्त निधि हो। हे देवों के देव, आब यही मेरी कामना है। हम साई बाबा कीआरती)

I pray to offer my services to the dust of Your feet. O Lord of Lord – That is my sole goal in life.

 

इच्छित दीन चातक। निर्मल तोय निजसुख।

पाजावें माधव या। सांभाळ आपुली भाक , आपुली भाक॥ ७ ॥ आरती… ॥

(जिस प्रकार चातक को (स्वाति न्क्षत्र के) निर्मल वर्षा-जल के सुख की अभिलाषा होती हैं वैसे ही इस माधव (रचनाकार) को भी निर्मल gyaan (knowledge) की भीख देकर संभालिये और अपनी महिमा से अनुग्रहित कीजिये)

Just like the Chatak bird is in quest of rainwater, please grant knowledge to this humble devotee and take us under Your protection. Grant us Your blessings & bestow Your divine glory on us.

Sai Bhajan

OM Sai Namaya OM Sai Namaya

Hara Hara Bole Sai Namaya

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka

Rajadhi Raja Yogi Raja

Para Brahma Shri Satchidhanandha

Sadguru Sai Nadha Namaya

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshwara

Gurur Saakshaath Para Brahma Thasmai Shri Gurave Namaya

Shreemad Para Brahma Guru Smaraami

Shreemad Para Brahma Guru Namami

Shreemad Para Brahma Guru Yajami

Shreemad Para Brahma Guru Bhajami

Om Sri Sai Nathaaya Namaha

Lakshmi Narayanaya Namaha

Om Krishna Ram Shiva Maruthya Dhiroopaya

Om Shesha Shaine Namo Namaya

Om Godhavari Thata Shiladhi Vaasine

Bhaktha Hrudhalayaya Namo Namaya

Yogeshwaraya Namo Namaya

Om Bhagavathe Namo Namaya

Om Theerthaya Namo Namaya

Vasudevaya Namo Namaya

Om Kalathethaya Kalaaya Namaya

Kaala Kaalaya Namo Namaya

Om Sai Namaya Om Sai Namaya

Hara Hara Bole Sai Namaya

Om Preethi Vardhanaya Priyaya Namaha

Om Antharyamine Namo Namaya

OM Sathchidhatmane Nithya Nandhaya

Parama Sukha Dhaya Namo Namaya

Om Sai Namaya Om Sai Namaya

Hara Hara Bole Sai Namaya

 

 

3 Jyotirlinga of Maharashtra with Shirdi as base

8 Aug

This is an easy to execute trip planner to cover the 3 Jyotirlinga temples in Maharashtra with Shirdi as the base. My trip started from Bangalore. I was travelling in 1st week of Aug – midst of monsoon during the auspicious month of Shravan and was very lucky to get excellent Darshan with no rains in the 3 days of travel. Also my Sarthi (Rahul) was a valuable asset – driver cum guide, without him I could not have accomplished so much

  1. Plan your travel on weekdays – weekends can be very crowded
  2. Avoid visiting the Jyotirlinga’s on Monday – gets very crowded
  3. Avoid visiting Shirdi on Thursday – It is the busiest day

Rather than hopping across multiple hotels in different cities, I made Shirdi my base.

  • 12627 Karnataka express leaves Bangalore at 7.20 PM and reaches Kopargaon  (KPG)  at 1.45 PM. 1st AC is very convenient. Fare is ~ 3000 Rs.
  • I had booked a cab for the entire trip. The drive from Kopargaon to Shirdi is 15 Km – less than 30 min.
  • The Bhagyalaxmi hotel which is a 2 min walk from the Shirdi temple was my base for the next 3 nights. It is a very comfortable hotel priced ~ 2200 / night.

Day – 1 : I had booked an evening Dhoop Aarti at 7 PM. the Aarti is from 7 – 7.30 PM – entry is from Gate 1 at 6 PM. Leave phones in your room. Only wallets are allowed inside. There are 4 Aartis every day starting with the Kakad Aarti early morning , followed by one at noon , the evening Dhoop Aarti and the last one at 9.30 PM. All Aartis need to be booked online on the Saibaba Sansthan Trust Website. This link provides full detail to plan your Shirdi temple visit. Shirdi Temple Details 

Imp Point – As you exit the Samadhi Mandir look for the small Dattatreya Temple – most people miss this. Also at Sri Chawadi as you come out do not  miss the granite slab on which Sainath used to sit.

Day -2 : I started for Nasik at 6.30 AM and was able to complete all the sights and was back by 6.30 PM. Shirdi to Nasik is about 110 Km – 3 Hr drive. Roads were not great

    • You can stop at Gondeshwar temple in Sinnar – its 26 Km ahead of Nasik. Its one of the oldest temples of Maharastra – the cluster of temples is called Shiva Panchayatan. Built in the Hemadpanthi style of architecture by Hemadri Pandit a minister of the Yadav dynasty. This temple dates back to 12th century.
    • Trimbakeshwar is about 28 Km from Nasik – I was lucky that there were no rains and the crowd was sparse – had an excellent darshan in less than 1 hr. Phones are allowed inside – photography is not. The temple has a unique Jyotirlinga that is embedded inside the Yoni and unlike most Lingas here there are 3 dedicated to the Trinity – hence the name Trimbakeshwar. Locals claim that the Godavari flows below the Shiva Linga and then emerges in the Kushvart Teertha / Pond near the temple. The history of this ancient temple is associated with sage Gautama and how his prayers to resurrect a cow he killed led to Lord Shiva bringing Ganga here in the form of Godavari
    • Trimbakeshwar temple is surrounded by the Bhramagiri hills. This is the source of the Godavari – a 3 Hr trek (Down 2 hrs) can take you up the hill to the source. There are steps well laid out.
    • Just opposite the Trimbakeshwar temple is the Gorakhnath Ashram – a nice place to spend 15 minutes.
    • Saint Nivruttinath Samadhi is also in Trimbakeshwar – he was the elder brother and Guru of Sant Jnaneshwar.
    • Locals claim that the birth place of Lord Hanuman is also in Trimbakeshwar.
    • Overall on a good day you can budget 3 hrs for Trimbakeshwar if you are not doing the trek.
    • On the way to Panchavati we stopped at another ancient Shiva temple on the banks of the Godavari – The Someshwara temple and then headed for lunch at Shagun. 
    • At Panchavati the driver drops you in front of Kala Ram temple and then an Auto takes you for a spin around the 10 most important spots associated with Ramayana. This was the place where Sita was abducted by Ravana and Lakshmana chopped off the nose of Shupankaha (Thats the origin of the name Nasik). This section can be covered in less than 1 hr – the most interesting part was Sita’s Gufa.
    • There are a few more areas around Nasik like the Pandavleni Caves, Saptashrungi temple etc – which are 30 – 40 km away and you need more than a day to visit these places. Igatpuri the HQ of Goenka Ji’s Vipassna Centre is also 30 Km away.
    • On the way back to Shirdi we made two more stops – The Samadhi of Upasini Maharaj (a disciple of Sainath) at Sakori . And the Kalpa Vriksha Tree in Rahata – where Baba used to spend time to meet friends. The tree is unique and rare – dont miss it. Both these places are 10 Km from Shirdi and set in a rural environment.
  • Last stop for the day was Popat Vada Pav centre – a roadside eatery that serves the best Vada Pav in town.
    • All of the above was achieved in 12 hrs from 6.30 AM – 6.30 PM
    • Some rest, a quick shower and I headed out for a late evening darshan at Shirdi temple. It was a Thursday and thats the day when you can see the Palki that travels from Dwarka Mai to Samadhi Mandir.

Day – 3 : We head to Aurangabad.

  • Roads are not good and it takes us over 3 hrs to reach Aurangabad.  We started the day at 7.30 AM and were back at 6.30 PM.
  • 1st Stop was just outside Shirdi at Sant Janardhan Swami Maharaj Samadhi. The samadhi site also has a beautiful and ancient Shiva temple.

  • After a nice breakfast of Misal Pav and Poha we reached the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga by 10.30 AM. This is the 12th Jyotirlinga and one of the smallest. Like in Kerala men have to remove their shirts and enter the temple bare bodied. You are allowed inside the Sanctum Sanctorum and can touch the Jyotirlinga

  • Right next to the Jyotirlinga is a Teertha / Pond that is not well maintained. The famous Ellora Caves is right next to the Temple and is definitely worth a visit – it is a UNESCO world heritage site. Ajanta Caves is 110 Km from here and that is a full day trip. Aurangabad also has Aurangzeb’s tomb.
  • From Aurangabad we headed to the village of Nevasa – 80 Km from Aurangabad. This is where the great Saint Jnaneshwar wrote the Jnaneshwari the Marathi Translation of the Gita. Its a beautiful temple very serene and calm – no crowd.

  • On the way to Nevasa do stop by at the ancient Siddheswar temple at Toka and the Rameshwaram Temple at Kai Gaon Toka. There is also a beautiful Dattatreya temple in an Ashram / Samadhi at Devgarh (Guru Dev Dutt / Kisan Giri Baba)

  • Aurangabad – Nevasa – Shirdi is like a triangle, we were back at Shirdi by 6.30 PM – and on the way we stopped for some delicious street food Pav Bhaji at Sai Prerna (It is right next next to the Vada Pav Stall)

Day – 4 : We head to Bhimashankar.

  • There are two routes – one Via Shani Shingnapur – Ahmednagar highway and the other by the Nasik Pune Road. We took the Nasik Pune highway and zipped by at 100 + km. Its a 4 1/2  hr drive to cover the 250 + km from Pune to Bhimashankar that included a stop for authentic Marathi breakfast at Rajkamal Kolhapuri Misal. This route is very scenic

  • The last section of the drive to Bhimashankar is thru the verdant W Ghats. There are no Hair pin bends – but the entire stretch is full of water bodies, misty hills – I was travelling in Aug the middle of Monsoon and it was beautiful. Very lucky that it was not raining.

  • Given its proximity to Pune & Mumbai – Bhimashankar can be very crowded on weekends. This was the only mistake in my travel planning – I reached Bhimashankar on Saturday morning at 10.30 and was faced with huge crowds and a potential wait time of 3 hrs. Our Innova was stopped a few kms ahead and we had to take the bus to the main shrine. By the grace of Lord Shiva I got lucky and a local lad helped me with an excellent darshan in 10 min. Here also you are allowed to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum and touch the Shiva Lingam.
  • The drive from Bhimashankar to Pune is 125 Km – once you reach the city outskirts you slow down. It took us nearly 4 hrs to reach Pune. A quick stop at my friends place where he treated me to some lovely local homemade snacks and then I headed out to the Airport for my 7 PM flight.

Other Points to plan your travel 

  • Arvind the proprietor of Sai Aditya Tours & travels helped me plan the trip. Making Shirdi the base was a great tip. My driver Rahul was amazing. If you book with Arvind insist on Rahul to be your driver. Arvind Ji – 99705 75677.
  • When in Maharashtra eat local food. Dont try Idli / Dosa here – feast on Vada Pav, Misal Pav, Poha etc

  • Network was excellent almost all through the trip – barring a few hrs from Bhimashankar to Pune.
  • Thanks to my driver Rahul a few more future trip ideas opened up in Maharashtra
    • Nav Nath temple tour – can be done in 1 day from Shirdi.
    • Most Marathis claim that there are 5 Jyotirlinga’s in Maharastra – the other two being Nagnath in Aundh & Parli Baijnath. These are farther off from the 3 that I covered.
    • The train to Kopargaon from Bangalore stops at Sholapur in the morning at 6.30 AM – this is the base for the Samadhi and Ashram of the great Saint Akallkot Maharaj – Swami Samarth
    • Kolhapur Lakshmi temple is also a must visit – its about 220 Km from Pune.
    • The Vittala temple at Pandharpur and the Dattatreya Temple in Gangapur can be covered together