Introduction Visiting Shirdi

Why Visit Shirdi. People from all around the world travel to the sacred land Shirdi. Shirdi a small village in the district of Ahmednagar, in Maharashtra, is drawing the devotees, since the last decade of Sai Baba’s physical presence.

These days so many devotees are drawn to this divine land, that it is seen crowded round the year. Even with so many Hotels and lodges it is very difficult to find hotel bookings in vacations and on Thursdays and weekends.

When very few people knew about Sai Baba, he had prophetically told an intimate devotee Shyama that people would crowd in Shirdi like ants. And that is exactly what is happening these days.

Shirdi is such a powerful sacred land it draws the devotees. So many devotees have significant experiences in this Holy Land Shirdi. I have herd peoples hair stands on the body, while taking darshan at any significant place in Shirdi. Tears flows through some devotees while taking the Darshan. The writer had an experience of impact, near the stone on which Sai Baba used to sit, placed near the Dwarkamai. Since than it has always been a devotional experience in each visit. I am drawn to different places like Chavadi, Gurusthan and Dwarkamai sit there and let the tremendous energy to work.

Even while walking around in Shirdi, or in the hotel room a kind of sacred energy is felt.

Sai Baba himself used to say That his bones will speak from the tomb and it does. Sai Baba also used to say whoever steps in the masjid (Dwarkamai) their miseries would be removed. The two words Sraddha (Faith) and Saburi (Patience) are to be kept in heart.

To many devotees who went to Sai Baba for the relief from the anxiety and problems Sai Baba suggested them to stay in Shirdi. One incident that comes to my mind is of Bhimaji Patil given in 13th Chapter of Sri Sai Sat Charitra. He was suffering from a chronic chest disease, which had developed in to tuberculosis, from which he suffered much. Upon going to Shirdi first Sai Baba pointed that the disease was due to previous evil karma and denied interfering. But when the devotee prayed for the mercy telling Sai Baba was his only hope Sai Baba’s heart melted and said, "Stay, cast off your anxiety, your sufferings have come to an end. However, oppressed and troubled one may be as soon as he steps into the Masjid, he is on the pathway to happiness. The Fakir here is very kind and He will cure the disease, and protect all with love and kindness."

Another incident comes to my mind is of Upasani Baba, Upasani Baba was drawn to Shirdi by Sai Baba and only Sadhna that was given to him was to stay on Shirdi near Khandoba temple. Sai Baba said he would work on him and he need not do anything. One more example that comes to mind is of Megha, another devotee drawn by Sai Baba and who stayed in Shirdi, upon whose death Sai Baba said he will not be reborn and Sai Baba even cried like ordinary mortal on his death.

So on such sacred powerful land if we just stay there and ask our Sadaguru, just for his grace and love to work on us, it happens very soon and powerfully. To quote Ramakrishna Paramhansha “ Pilgrimage becomes futile if it does not enables you to attain love of God.” Our pilgrimage to the Holy land of Shirdi will not be futile if we ask from the bottom of our heart to enable us to attain Sai Baba’s Love and Grace.

Dear brothers and sisters, we have received the love, care and blessings from Sai Baba, now it’s our turn to visit Shirdi and return our love by dissolving our expectations, desires and reservations in gratitude flowing from our hearts. And let his will, his love his grace work on us.

The place Shirdi is associated with Sai Baba. with so much intense spiritual energy and grace and love of Sai Baba. Sai Baba did so many leelas on the sacred land and guided so many and still guiding. It is a place permeated by intense spiritual vibrations. Meditations happen so easily there, and the qualities like devotion, compassion, love towards living beings so easily can be attained by meditating and allowing the spiritual energy to work on our heart, mind and body. So many devotees have felt and feel the presence of Sai Baba in this sacred Land of Shirdi.