NASHIK, SHIRDI AND SHANI SHINGNAPUR

HI,

The main purpose of this blog is to give travel and tourism information about the famous tourist spots in NASHIK, SHIRDI AND SHANI SHINGNAPUR. You will find the valuable information like tourist spots, restaurants, transport, accommodation, markets, etc. in Nashik, Shirdi and Shani Shingnapur.

NASHIK

Nashik is a city in Maharashtra, India. Nashik is located in the northwest of Maharashtra, 171 km (106 mi) from Mumbai and 210 km (130 mi) from Pune. Nashik is located on the banks of the Godavari River, on the western edge of the Deccan peninsula, in the Western Ghats. Nasik is the highest producer of grapes in India along with onions. The Godavari River flows through Nashik from its source, which lies to the southwest of the city, in Trimbakeshwar. Nashik is know for its pleasant climate, picturesque surroundings and greenery. It is the the third largest city of Maharshtra after Mumbai and Pune.

CUISINE

Nashik traditionally boasts of a Maharashtrian cuisine with influences from Khandesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. The modern city however offers a range of restaurants with cuisines ranging from Punjabi, South Indian to Chinese and European cuisines. Variety of decent hotels in Nashik city serve food ranging from regions' spicy fare to international cuisine.

HOW TO REACH

By Roads

Nashik is on the intersection of 2 National Highways. The Mumbai - Agra Highway NH-3 and the Nashik - Pune Highway NH-50. Apart from these, other major cities like Aurangabad are connected via a state highway. Nashik is easily accessible by road from Gujarat state in western India. There are other numerous State Highways which offer very good road connectivity to Nashik.

By Railways

Nashik has one train station which is Nashik Road which is around 10 km (6.2 mi) from the central area of the city. Also, there is a separate railhead at Deolali which serves the military cantonment area. It can be also used to travel to Nashik. Nasik Road railway station is an important railway station on Central Railway. In terms of revenue, Nasik Road is the highest revenue generating railway station in Bhusawal division.

Nashik Road falls on the Mumbai - Manmad route of the Central Railways. Nashik is directly connected to various major cities in India like Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Nagpur, Kanpur, Guwahati etc. There are a few trains connecting Southern and Northern parts of India which travel via Nashik.

Nashik will also be getting a rail connectivity to Pune through Nashik Pune Rail line and to Indore by Manmad Indore Rail Line as announced in Rail Budget debate recently.

By Airways

Nashik's Ozar Airport is located at a distance of 24 km (15 mi) from the city center. [Deccan Airways] used to operate flights to Mumbai from a couple of years ago which were later taken off due to lack of passengers and will operate soon after upgradation to an airport with international standards. Nashik has another airport at Gandhinagar with a shorter runway and hence unfit for modern-day passenger aircraft. The government run Vayudoot used an operate a service to Mumbai from this Gandhinagar Airport during the 1980s. A new Passenger Terminal at Ozar is under construction. Also there is a cargo airport at ozar. A Military Airport is present in Deolali Cantonment.

 NASHIK TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Ramkund

Chitrarao Khatarkar built Ramkund in 1696. This holy tank is 27 m by 12 m in area. It is believed that Rama and Sita used to bath in this tank during their exile. People bring ashes of their deceased relatives and immerse it in this holy tank. People of Hindu faith believe that the departed souls would attain moksha or liberation by doing so. Ashes of big personalities like Pandit Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Y B Chavan and others have been immersed at Ramkund.

Muktidham Temple

The temple is of pure white; the colour signifies holiness and peace. Muktidham is just 7 km away from the city. The Temple is built with white makrana marble. The architecture of this temple is known to be very unusual. 18 chapters of the Gita are inscribed on the walls, which is a very unique style of this temple. A visit to this temple by Hindus is considered as a visit to the 4 dhams or holy centres.

Coin Museum

The museum has a fine collection of research and well-documented history of Indian currencies. Coin Museum was established in 1980 under the Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies. This museum is the only museum of its kind in Asia. The environment of the museum is so cool, as it is located in the backdrop of the enthralling Ajneri Hill of Nashik.

Pandavleni Caves

Pandavleni caves are 2000-year-old, and it was built by the Jain Kings. It is a group of 24 Hinayana Buddhist Caves, which date back between 1st century BC and 2nd century AD. These caves are at a distance of 8 km from Nasik. Amongst all, cave number 3 and 10 are the best. Cave number 3 has a large Vihara with fascinating sculptures, cave number 10 is also a Vihara, but it is much older and finer than the cave number 3. It is believed to be as old as the Karla Cave near Lonavala.
  

Someshwar

There are temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman on the banks of the river Godavari at Someshwar. This is a very green place as well as the climate is so cool. One can also enjoy swimming and boating here. Because of its serene beauty, this place is favourite for film shootings. There is a village named Anandwalli on the way to Someshwar. There is Navasha Ganapati Temple in this village.

Takli

Takli is connected to the Guru (teacher) of Chatrapati Shivaji, saint Samarth Ramdas. 'Simple living and high thinking' was the mantra what he was preaching. He also promoted the Hindu religion. Ramdas ran off from his marriage life and settled down at Takli for meditation. He was a devotee of lord Ram and meditated with the words Shriram Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram for 13 crores times in 12 years. Ramdas Swami's ashram is preserved in his memory at Takli. There is also a Hanuman Temple on the bank of river Nandini or Nasardi.

HOTELS IN NASHIK

Hotel Express Inn

Pathardi Phata, Mumbai Agra Road, Nashik, Maharashtra

E-mail hotel | Hotel website | +91 253 2227777 / 6641111

Ibis Nashik

Plot No 9, Triambakeshwar Road, Nashik, Maharashtra

Hotel website | E-mail hotel | 0253 663 5555

 Hotel Express Inn

Pathardi Phata, Mumbai Agra Road | Ambad, Nashik 422010, India

+91 253 2227777 / 6641111 

The Gateway Hotel Ambad Nashik

P-17, MIDC Ambad, Mumbai-Agra Road, Nashik 422010, India. 

Hotel Rajmahal

Opposite Old Central Bus Station, Sharanpur Road, Nashik 422002, India

 

Lily Sarovar Portico 

904 Mumbai Agra Road | Opposite Orchid International,, Nashik 422009, India

  

Hotel Rama Heritage

 Old Mumbai Agra Road | Beside Kalika Mandir, Nashik 422002, India

Ginger Nashik

Plot No P 20 (Part) | Near Satpur MIDC Police Station, Nashik 422007, India

Hotel Samrat 

Near C.B.S. | Old Agra Road, Nashik 422002, India

Hi 5 Hotel 

Mumbai-Agra Road | Plot # P-5, Ambad MIDC, Pathardi Phata, Nashik 422 010, India

Hotel Panchvati 

430, Vakil Wadi | Near M.G. Road, Nashik 422001, India

Hotel Sai Palace

904 Agra Road, Nashik 422 009, India

RESTAURANTS IN NASHIK

Cafe Bliss

6, Rushiraj Tower | Jehan Circle, Nashik 422013, India

Cuisines: Pizza, Continental, Fast food, Café 

Aster- The Coffee Shop 

Pathardi Phata, Mumbai Agra Highway, Nashik 422010, India Cuisines: Asian, European, Café, Dessert, Indian, Continental 

Le Bar-Salon

Pathardi Phata, Mumbai Agra Highway, Nashik 422010, India

Cuisines: Asian, Brazilian, Indian, Continental

Good for: Bar Scene, View

Description: First of its kind lounge bar of Nashik offering a varied range of exotic beverages, Le Bar-Salon is simply a heavenly place which reinvigorates your system. This trendy bar & lounge offers a hypnotic ambiance with scintillating music and is the right place to chill out with family and friends to relax.

Yahoo Restaurant

Trimbak Road | Near Canada Corner, Nashik, India

Cuisines: Indian  

Little Italy 

Sula Vineyards | Gat 36/2 Govardhan, Nashik, India

Cuisines: Italian  

Rajdhani Thali 

Level-2, City Centre Mall, Lawate Nagar, Untwadi Road,, Nashik 422005, India

Cuisines: Indian

Dining options: Lunch Spot

Mainland China

N H. No3, Nashik, India

Cuisines: Chinese  

Manas Restaurant Pure Veg

Manas Arcade, Panchavati Karanja, | Panchavati, Nashik, India  

Cuisines: Indian 

Radhakrishna 

Plot No P-35, Behind ITI Midc, Trimbak Road, Satpur, Nashik 422007, India  

Cuisines: Indian 

Machaan 

Mumbai Naka, Nasik - Mumbai Highway, Nashik, India

Cuisines: Indian  

Thaat Baat 

College Road, Nashik, India

Cuisines: Indian  

Hotel Woodlands Restaurant 

Wani Estate, Urdhu High School | Sarda Circle, Nashik 422001, India

Vithal Kamats 

Near Shiv Temple, trimbakeshwar, Nashik, India

Cuisines: Vegetarian 

Narottam Bhavan 

Panchvati Karanja, Nashik 422003 , India

Cuisines: Indian  

SHIRDI 

Shirdi is a quaint little village in the Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra, at a distance of approximately 76 km from Nashik. Today, it has transformed into a hustling pilgrimage center. Shirdi was the home of Sai Baba, the great saint of the 20th Century. Baba lived in Shirdi was more than half a century, i.e. he spent more than 50 years of his life transforming this insignificant small village to a huge pilgrimage site, where devotees from all over the place used to come to visit him and offer their prayers.Shirdi pronunciation is a town and falls under the jurisdiction of municipal council popularly known as Shirdi Nagar Panchayat, located in Rahata Tehasil in Ahmednagar District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is accessible via the Ahmednagar - Manmad State Highway No.10, approximately 83 km from Ahmednagar and 15 km from Kopargaon. It is located 185 km east of the Western Seashore line (the Ahmednagar - Manmad road), which is a very busy route. Shirdi is best known as the late 19th century home of the popular guru Shirdi Sai Baba. It is one of the richest temple organisations.

Sai Baba’s origin is known by none and a mystical enigma surrounds his birth details; however, he entranced everybody since the first time he appeared under a neem tree, at a nubile age of 16. The saint devoted his entire life for the upliftment of the poor and the suffering. Sai Baba was famed as the ‘Child of God’ as he was believed to be an embodiment of lord Shiva. He spent his entire life at Shirdi preaching the message of universal fraternity and peace amongst all religions, often heard quoting – ‘Sabka Maalik Ek.’ Shirdi, then on, was thronged with visitors and believers, who travelled from every corner of the country, just to see his miraculous form with their own eyes. The great saint left for heavenly abode in 1918, and his Samadhi is visited by lakhs of tourists even today.

HOW TO REACH

Shirdi is located approximately 296 km from Mumbai, capital of Maharashtra in India. It is called the Land of Sai. The closest and highly connected city from Shirdi is Ahmednagar city.

• Rail

Shirdi now has a new railway station called "Sainagar Shirdi", which became operational in March 2009.

As of 2011, there are trains from Chennai, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam via Secunderabad, Mysore^[4] and other cities/states that have Shirdi railway station as their terminal stop. Trains also run from Manmad railway station which is 87 km and Ahmednagar railway station which is 83 km from the heart of Shirdi, alternatively from Kopargaon station which is 15 km from Shirdi, or Nashik city, which is 119 km from Shirdi or Nagarsol. Daund railway station is 200 km from Shirdi.

• Road

Buses and taxis ply from these railway stations and locations to and from Shirdi. Shirdi can be reached by bus from any of the following cities in Maharashtra State (India): Ahmednagar, Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik, Akluj, Dhule, Nagpur and Aurangabad.Also from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh from where maximum pilgrims reach every day and year to seek blessings from Sai Baba. Currently, four-laning of State highway Nagar-Manmad highway is in progress on BOT basis. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has been assigned to execute the works of internal roads in Shirdi.

• Air

Shirdi Airport is being constructed at Kakdi (Kopargaon taluka), 14 km south-west of Shirdi.

CUISINE AND RESTAURANTS

Shirdi, the city that is showered with the blessings of Sai Baba has a lot to offer to the devotees visiting the city. There are many places in the city that offers range of different cuisines. Most of the restaurants are located in the temple road and they generally specialise in vegetarian food. Few of the best restaurants in the city are listed below:

Rajdhani RestaurantA brilliant choice in Shirdi that offers authentic Gujarati food. The service of the staff is very good and the food that is offered is absolutely delicious. The restaurant offers great value for money. One thing that you must try while you are in this restaurant is the Gujaratithali that costs around INR 175.

• Meal for two: INR 300
  Address: Sai Complex
  Besides Sai Baba Mandir, Gate No.3
  Pimpalwadi Road
  Shirdi
  India 

• Sai Swad Restaurant 
• Sai Swad Restaurant in Shirdi offers a nice dining experience. The food here is quite reasonable and the staff is very helpful. This is another restaurant that serves authentic Gujarati cuisine.
  
  Meal for two: INR 200
  Address: Sai Gangotri Building
  Nagar-Manmad Road
  Near S.T Bus Stand
  Shirdi
  India

• Woodlands RestaurantA decent option in Shirdi that offers a variety on it menu. The restaurant specialises in South Indian cuisine. You can visit this restaurant on your tour to Shirdi. The staff in the restaurant is polite and hospitable.
  
  Meal for two: INR 200
  Address: Hotel Goradia
  Near Sai Baba Shrine
  Shirdi
  India
  Telephone: +91-2423-255234/255235
  

Name	Category	Address	PhoneNo
Sai Maurya Restaurant	South indian restaurants	Behind Hotel Neeta, C/O Sai Moreshwar Hotel, Shirdi - 423109	(91)-(2423)-256626, 256627
Sai Mamta	Continental restaurants	Pimplewadi Road, Behind Hotel Saish, , Shirdi Ho, Shirdi - 423109	(91)-(2423)-256969, 256973
Darshansaibaba Restaurant	Multi cuisine restaurants	Ahmednagar Manmad Highway, C/O Darshansaibaba, Nashik Phata,Taluka Rahata, Shirdi - 423109	(91)-(2423)-255933
Tirupati Restaurant	Multi cuisine restaurants	Pimpalwadi Road, C/O Hotel Sharan, Shirdi - 423109	(91)-(2423)-255248
Vaibhav Lounge	Multi cuisine restaurants	Ahmednagar Manmad Highway, Nashik Phata,Taluka Rahata, Shirdi - 423109	91)-(2423)-255933
Rajdhani Restaurant	Vegetarian restaurants	Pimplewadi Road, Sai Complex, Opp Shirdi Mandir, Shirdi - 423109	(91)-(2423)-256907, 256912
Woodland Restaurant	Vegetarian restaurants	Pimplewadi Road, C/O Goradia Hotel, Behind Sai Udyan, Shirdi - 423109	(91)-(241)-255234, 255235

Shirdi Tourist Attractions

The holy town is visited by innumerable people every year for viewing the Samadhi Temple of Sri Sai Baba. At every nook and corner of Shirdi it is Sai Baba who is present here either in spiritual form or in physical form by leaving behind several physical structures where he once lived or graced the place by his presence. The peoples saint spent almost 60 years of his life here and his greatness spread all over Maharashtra and beyond during his lifetime. Today the temples of Sai Baba are found in every city of India and abroad in countries like Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, America and many more. When in Shirdi there are several places to see which are associated with this holy saint in some or the other way. The point where Baba came to Shirdi as a Bal Yogi is called the Gurusthan. Today, a temple and a small shrine are built in the same place. Other places of interest that was associated with Sai Baba in some or the other capacity include the Dwarkamai Mosque where Baba slept on alternate nights. The Khandoba Temple, Sakori Ashram Shani Mandir, Changdev Maharaj Samadhi and the Narsimha Mandir are other places that attract tourists who visit Shirdi.

The Lendi Bagh is a small garden that was made and watered by Baba himself. Baba used to visit this place daily and rest under a neem tree. An octagonal deepgriha, lighthouse, called Nanada Deep was built in stone in memory of this place. The small town of Shirdi brims with fragrance of devotional intensity, emanating from devotees from across the world. The hamlet is placed highly on the world map of spirituality. There also exist temples of other village deities like Shani, Ganapati and Shankar that must be a paid a visit. 

Devotees generally start queuing up right from dawn to catch a glimpse and seek blessings from the life-size statue of Sai Baba. Thursdays is especially crowded, and is marked by a special puja and darshan of Baba’s statue. The temple opens at 5 AM daily with morning prayers and closes at 10 PM in the night with night prayers. It has an assembly hall with a capacity for about 600 devotees. The first floor of the temple has pictures depicting the life of the great saint and is open for observation. The streets of the holy town are full of shops which sell Sai Baba record of his life.

Samadhi Mandir

The temple housing the last remains of Sri Sai Baba is known as the Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi. It was Sreemant Gopalrao a rich man from Nagpur who got the construction of the temple started to place the idol of Lord Krishna. However it was to be the holy place where the last remains of Sai Baba were to be placed. Sai Baba left his body on 15th October 1918 and since then that place holds great reverence for Baba's followers from all over the world. The Samadhi temple is the focal point of Shirdi pilgrimage and people stand in long serpentine queues to get a glimpse of Sai Baba's last mortal remains.

Dwarkamayee Masjid

Situated to the right of Samadhi Mandir is the place where Sai Baba spent a major chunk of his lifetime. It is at this Mosque that Baba lit up lamps every evening. In fact the name Dwarkamayee was given by Sai Baba to the Masjid. It was here that Baba spent his days sitting on a huge stone which is preserved till date. Even the sacred dhuni (fire) which was kindled by Baba is lit to till this date. The miraculous udhi (ash) from this fire is used by pilgrims and is considered to be immensely divine. The Masjid has a life-size portrait of Sai Baba which he himself received and said that after me the portrait would continue to live here. The Dwarkamayee Masjid in fact holds more importance for many devotees of Sai for being the place where this pure soul spent his life.

Chavadi

Located near the Masjid is a small two room house called chavadi. It was here that Sai Baba spent every alternate night. At the chavadi one can find the asan (seat) on which Baba use to sit. A wooden plank and wheel chair bought by Sai Baba are also kept at the chavadi. It was at the chavadi that Baba's body was bathed for the last time before his funeral.

Gurusthan

Gurusthan is the place under the Neem tree where Sai Baba was first spotted in Shirdi. The neem leaves left their bitterness due to the presence of Sri Sai Baba in its shade. The place is revered for also being the site where Sai Baba's Guru took Samadhi. Here a huge portrait of Baba is placed in front of which are a shivling, Nandi cow and Sai Baba's padukas. At Gurusthan incense keeps on burning throughout the day and night.

Khandoba Temple

At the Ahmednagar-Kopergaon road is situated the Khandoba temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the oldest temple of Shirdi it was here that Pujari Mhalsapati called Baba with the name Ya, Sai! This temple is one of the earliest places in Shirdi where Baba laid his feet.

Lendibag and Nandadeep

Sai Baba spent few hours of the day meditating here and lighting a lamp in earthenware daily. Here Baba also made a small garden which remains here till date. Lendi is actually the name of a nalla (stream) which sprung up when Baba dug up a well here for drinking water. The earthenware is still lit here and is known as nandadeep.

Mahadev, Ganesh and Shani Temples

Situated in a row adjacent to each other are these three temples which happen to be few of the oldest temples of Shirdi. These three temples of Shirdi are greatly revered and hence visited by a number of devout Hindus on their visit to Shirdi.

Best time to visit Shirdi

This holy shrine can be visited at almost any time of the year, however the Monsoons are generally preferred, given the inviting climate the region has to offer during that period. Visitors can plan their trip along the three main festivals celebrated in Shirdi – Guru Purnima, Dusshera and Ram Navami. During there festivals, uncountable devotees flock here and the whole atmosphere comes to life with vibrant bhajans and rath yatra that can be participated in. These are also the only days when the Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi is kept open for the entire night.

SHANI SHINGNAPUR

Shani Shingnapur or Shani Shinganapur or Shingnapur or Sonai is a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Situated in Nevasa taluka in Ahmednagar district, the village is known for its popular temple of Shani, the Hindu god of the planet (graha) Saturn. Shingnapur is 35 km from Ahmednagar city.

Shingnapur is also famous for the fact that no house in the village has doors, only door frames. Despite this, no theft is reported in the village. Villagers never keep their valuables under lock and key. Villagers believe that the temple is a "jagrut devasthan" (lit. "alive temple"), meaning that the god here is very powerful. They believe that god Shani punishes anyone attempting theft.

The village has a post office and a high school known as Shri Shanishwar Vidya Mandir besides the primary schools run by the Zilla Parishad. The chief source of water supply in the villages is wells.

In January 2011, the United Commercial (UCO) Bank opened a 'lockless' branch in the village, the first of its kind in the country, taking note of the near-zero crime rate in the region. The local police were reported to be unhappy over this development and that it amounted to a breach of conditions, because the Central government of India has made it mandatory for all banks to have high security.The bank has doors,but they will always remain open. However, it was reported by the local legislator and the bank officials that adequate precautions were being taken for the safety of lockers and important documents.

Shrine of Shani

The shrine for Shani consists of a five and a half feet high black rock installed on an open-air platform, which symbolizes the god Shani. A Trishula (trident) is placed along the side of the image and a Nandi (bull) image is on the south side. In front are the small images of Shiva and Hanuman.

Generally, the temple has 30–45000 visitors a day, which swells to around three lakh (i.e. three hundred thousand) on amavasya (the new moon day), believed to be the most auspicious day to appease Lord Shani. The village holds a fair in honour of the deity on this day. A bigger festival is held on new moon days that fall on Saturdays. Devotees bathe Lord Shani's image with water and oil and offer flowers, and udid to him. A palanquin procession of Shani is held on the day of the fair. Other festivals include the birthday of Shani, Shani Jayanti. The shrine gained popularity with the decade-old film Surya Putra Shanidev made by the film producer Late Gulshan Kumar.

Approach

Shani Shingnapur is about 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Ahmadnagar city. About 160 kilometres (99 mi) northeast of Pune and 84 kilometres (52 mi) from Aurangabad. The nearest airport is at Aurangabad which is 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Shani Shingnapur. Nearest railway station is Srirampur. Distance from Mumbai is about 453 kilometres (281 mi) by road. It can also be accessed from Shirdi, another religious place in Maharashtra. It is about 65 km on road.