Visit to Shirdi

[mrs jason]

I am from Singapore. I went to Shiridi around December 06. The place was was very crowded. A man so call wanted to guide as for a feeclaimed that he can bring us nearer to the aarthi section as it was very crowded and we would not be able to see Baba.  He rushed us to go to the Samadhi mandir as aarti was about to start. He brought us to the side door where there was a guard. The guard allowed some of them to enter during this time the 'guide' step back and waited at the corner. We gestured him to come but not to know us. We find it difficult to communicate as many of them were not able to speak in English and we cant speak in Hindi. The guard did not allow us to enter in. We were very angry and ask the 'guide' what is happening. He was not able to answer us. He quickly rushed us somewhere, without knowing we just followed him. Finally reached the Samadhi Mandir and aarti was going on. While queuing everyone push one another. Even though we were able to touch the samadhi, we are not satisfied and I feel that I want to go there again with no crowd. Could anyone tell when is the best time to go to Shirdi or can anyone be with us when we go there? OM SAI RAM

[sureshsarat]

Om Sri Sainathaya Namaha
Om Sri Sainathaya Namaha
Om Sri Sainathaya Namaha
Mrs. Jason Sairam
First of all my apologies for the bad experience. I am really very very sorry for everything you experienced. And thanks a lot for having faith in my lord sai. Following are a few hints:
1. There is no tout / guide required for Shirdi
2. Just keep a card with address of the hotel you are staying in, in case you get lost. I suggest the Piligrims Inn close to the Samadhi mandir, run by the Maharastra Tourism board. The rent is most reasonable and staff are courteous.
3. The timings of the Arati are displayed in almost all the hotels. Start atleast an hour earlier. if it is a thursday start at least 1.30 hours early and see that you are in the queue. That way you have the chance of being in the Samadhi mandir during arati. Due to the heavy rush, you might not be able to go closer to the Samadhi after arati.
4. Pls make another visit after the arati. The crowd will be relatively very very less and you will have a good darshan.
5. The flower bhandar (Shops) will offer a tray with flowers, shawls etc to offer. These are not necessary. Just buy a bunch of roses for around Rs. 10 - Rs. 30 (for 5 flowers to 15). Pedhas (sweets) are sold inside the mandir complex (nearer to place one leaves footwear). This is the sansthan outlet. Rs. 25 /- per box of sweets. Other types or prasad items are also sold inside. Even books are sold.If you feel like offering a shawl or something, please buy it in a bigger city in a good reputed shop and make an offering at shirdi.
6. Generally I spread my visit for 2 days wed and thursday. Wednesdays in morning and noon are without rush. So easier to move around Shirdi. I do my darshans on Wednesday. Then arati on Thursdays.
7. If you can walk around, pls walk around shirdi. It is a very small place. You can see Khandoba Mandir, Hanuman Mandir etc. You dont need a guide at all. Food is good in Woodlands, Piligrims inn (neem restaurant) etc.
8. Make a visit when it is not vacation time (Dec, April May etC) for school children. Becoz many  make trips during this period.
Hope this information helps.
9. Finally please be patient even if you have to wait. Dont take short cuts through touts.
Baba pls bless Mrs. Jason with a good darshan.

Thanks
Suresh

[babasfollower]

Is there some pass system at the temple. I have heard that some passes get issued before 11:00 AM. I am not too sure about that. Does anyone know anything about that?

regards
Navjot

[sureshsarat]

Om Sri Sainathaya Namaha
Om Sri Sainathaya Namaha
Om Sri Sainathaya Namaha
Navjotji Sairam
I am not sure abt teh passes. I will find abt the same in my next visit.But i did hear once abt passes
Suresh

[babasfollower]

Sai Ram Suresh Ji,

i too will be visitng shirdi probably next week. Earlier i had planned it for tonight but some interview is there on monday. So after finishing off this job hunt i will visit shirdi and enquire about the same. Personally i will never use a pass at least not for another 40 - 50 years (since breaking the queue is highly unethical) but i think its a good option for aged people and those visiting shirdi with cute little infants! So if i visit shirdi first, i will let u know otherwise u let me know!

Regards
Navjot

[sureshsarat]

Om Sri Sainathaya Namaha
Om Sri Sainathaya Namaha
Om Sri Sainathaya Namaha
Navjotji
Pls carry my pranams to baba.
Suresh

[babasfollower]

Sure Sureshji.
i will do that.

Regards
Navjot

[tana]

om sai ram!!!

navjot ji
sai ram...

baba k darshan hum sab ki aankho se ke jiye ga aur...baba se boliyen ga ki bahut saare bachche hai jo baba k bulane ka wait kar rhe hai plz un sab ko apna pyaar aur aasirwad dae....jaldi se bulaye shirdi...

om sai ram...jai sai ram...
om sai ram...jai sai ram...

om sai ram...jai sai ram...
om sai ram...jai sai ram...

om sai ram...jai sai ram...
om sai ram...jai sai ram...

om sai ram...jai sai ram...
jai sai ram...

[babasfollower]

Tana Ji Sai Ram,

I will convey your prayer as it is to sai baba... i love to be there. last time i visited a month back and it was so peace giving. this time also i hope it will be a great one!

Regards
Navjot

[nimmi_sai]

navjot ji ......
jai sai nath ..
may sai baba bless yu always and fulfill all ur dreams ..
om sai shri sai jai jai sai
nimmi

[babasfollower]

Nimmi ji

Sai Ram & Thankyou!. Vaise kaafi der se mera ek kaam latak raha hai... usiki wajah se mera shirdi visit effect hota rehta hai. I think there is some difference between my way of thinking and baba's way of thinking...  Thats why he thinks that getting that thing so soon will not be in my interests! Hopefully woh jaldi ho jaayega and then i will go! waise otherwise i think on Holi I will be there.

Regards
Navjot

[nimmi_sai]

navjot ji ....
baba's blessings and my best wishes are always wid yu ..
baba aapke sab rookey huay kaam jaldi se poorey kerey and appko shirdi main jaldi se jaldi jaaney ka moka mileyyyy ..and yes ho sakey to baba tak mera mesg bhi convey ker dijiega ..ki ager koi galti ho gayi hai mujhse to mujeyy  maaf kerey ....or mujhey bhi shirdi bula le ..... kyonkii main din raat ek hi sapna dekhtii hoon ki shyaed bhuleyy se kabhi mujhey bhi baba ka bulawa aa jayega ....
anyways baba bless yu n ur family in everywayyyy
aameen
om sai shri sai jai jai sai
nimmi

[dayalvasnani]

Om Sai Ram

Visit to Shirdi is very easy and need to guide.  one may not tip touts. Yes There is pass system Also. These passes are issued by Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan at shirdi on reference of VIPs i.e. officers of Maharashtra Govt. etc.

[babasfollower]

Om Sai Ram

Nimmi ji i will definitely convey ur message to baba along with other messages. mera kaam to nahin hua but main phir bhi ja raha hoon shirdi agle ek do hours mein. Will reach early in the morning.

and dayal vasnaniji thanks for the information on passes.

Navjot

[babasfollower]

All prayers conveyed! Trip went nicely! Had a happy time sitting towards the back of the hall in samadhi mandir. Enjoyed a lot!

During my visit I saw some not so VIPs getting wild card entry without getting into the queue... also saw the banners of politicians like pawar, sonia, some local lackey called saansad or MP, etc hanging on the wall of compound facing the main road, welcoming the visitors as if without their welcome people would not be able to enjoy their visit... and as always hindi edition of Sri Sai Satcharita was again out of print... However, what was missing was the usual rudeness of boorish security guards probably because of lesser rush. clearly sansthan or trust is doing a great job in managing day to day affairs.

My views may hurt the sentiments of many but I am 100% certain that sansthan needs to work more scrupulously. It discriminates among devotees by providing preferential treatment to few. Similarly many other activities can be conducted more efficiently if it inculcates some degree of sincerity in its approach.