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{{Distinguish|Shiraadi}}
{{Distinguish|Shiradi}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name                           = Shirdi
| name               = Shirdi
| native_name                     = <!-- Please do not add any Indic script in this infobox, per WP:INDICSCRIPT policy. -->
| native_name       = <!-- Please do not add any Indic script in this infobox, per WP:INDICSCRIPT policy. -->
| native_name_lang               =  
| native_name_lang   = mr
| other_name                      = Sainagar
| settlement_type   = Town
| settlement_type                 = City
| image_skyline     = Sai baba samadhi mandir .jpg
| image_skyline                   = Shirdi Sai Baba.jpg
| image_caption     = Sai Baba's Samadhi Mandir in 2017
| image_alt                      =
| nickname           = Sainagar
| image_caption                   = [[Sai Baba of Shirdi]]
| map_alt           =  
| nickname                       = Shirdi Nagari;<br />Sainagar Shirdi
| map_caption       =  
| map_alt                         =  
| pushpin_map       = India Maharashtra#India
| map_caption                     =  
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map                     = India Maharashtra#India
| pushpin_map_alt   =  
| pushpin_label_position         = right
| pushpin_map_caption =  
| pushpin_map_alt                 =  
| coordinates       = {{coord|19.77|N|74.48|E|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map_caption             =  
| subdivision_type   = Country
| coordinates                     = {{coord|19.77|N|74.48|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_name   = {{IND}}
| subdivision_type               = Country
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name               = {{IND}}
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type1               = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ahmednagar district|Ahmednagar]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| established_title = [[Taluka]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Ahmednagar District|Ahmednagar]]
| established_date   = [[Rahata]]
| established_title               = [[Taluka]]
| founder           =  
| established_date               = [[Rahata]]
| named_for         =  
| founder                         =  
| government_type   = Municipal Council
| named_for                       = Seeradi
| governing_body     = Shirdi Municipal Council
| government_type                 = Municipal Council
| unit_pref         = Metric
| governing_body                 = Shirdi Nagar Panchayat
| area_footnotes     =  
| unit_pref                       = Metric
| area_rank         =  
| area_footnotes                 =  
| area_total_km2     = 13
| area_rank                       =  
| elevation_footnotes =  
| area_total_km2                 = 13
| elevation_m       = 504
| elevation_footnotes             =  
| population_total   = 36004
| elevation_m                     = 504
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_total               = 36004
| population_rank   =  
| population_as_of               = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank                 =  
| population_demonym =  
| population_density_km2         = auto
| population_footnotes =  
| population_demonym             =  
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| population_footnotes           =  
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics_type1             = Languages
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| demographics1_title1           = Official
| timezone1         = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| demographics1_info1             = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| utc_offset1       = +5:30
| timezone1                       = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| utc_offset1                     = +5:30
| postal_code       = 423109
| postal_code_type               = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| postal_code                     = 423109
| area_code         = 02423
| area_code_type                 = Telephone code
| registration_plate = MH-17
| area_code                       = 02423
| footnotes          =
| registration_plate             = MH-17
| leader_title      = MP
| website                        = {{URL|maharashtra.gov.in}}
| leader_name        = [[Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure]], [[Shiv Sena (UBT)]]
| footnotes                      =  
| leader_title1      = MLA
| leader_name1      = [[Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil]], [[BJP]]
}}
}}
'''Shirdi''' {{audio|Shirdi.ogg|pronunciation}} also known as '''Sainagar''' is a city in the [[Indian state]] of [[Maharashtra]]. It is located in the [[Rahata taluka]] of [[Ahmednagar District]]. It is accessible via the Ahmednagar–Malegaon State Highway No.10, approximately {{cvt|83|km}} from [[Ahmednagar]] and {{cvt|15|km}} from [[Kopargaon]]. It is located {{cvt|185|km}} east of the Western Seashore line (the Ahmednagar–Manmad road), a very busy route.
'''Shirdi''' ({{audio|Shirdi.ogg|pronunciation}}; also known as '''Sainagar''') is a town and pilgrimage site in the [[Indian state]] of [[Maharashtra]]. Shirdi is located in the [[Rahata taluka]] of [[Ahmednagar district]]. It is most well known for being the home of the 19th-century Indian saint [[Sai Baba of Shirdi|Sai Baba]].


Shirdi is famously known as the home of the late 19th century [[saint]] Shri [[Sai Baba of Shirdi|Sai Baba]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Shirdi|url=http://www.amazingmaharashtra.com/2012/05/shirdi.html|publisher=Amazing Maharashtra}}</ref> The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust located in Shirdi is one of the richest temple organisations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/india-top-10-richest-temples-27684.html|title=India's top 10 richest temples|date=2013-09-10|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-14}}</ref>
== History ==
{{Further information|Sai Baba of Shirdi#Biography}}
In the mid-1850s, a young Sai Baba arrived and settled in Shirdi, then a small village. Although he was initially denounced by the villagers as a madman, over the following decades, he became a prominent spiritual figure, drawing both Hindu and Muslim devotees from the surrounding areas. Following his death in 1918, his remains were placed in ''Buti Wada'', which eventually grew to become what is known today as Sai Baba's Samadhi Mandir or Shirdi Sai Baba Temple.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rigopoulos |first=Antonio |title=The Life And Teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi |date=9 March 1993 |publisher=[[SUNY Press]] |isbn=9781438417349}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shirdi Sai Baba |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shirdi-Sai-Baba |website=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref>


== Demographics ==
== Demographics ==
As of the 2011 India [[census]], the population of Shirdi stood at 36,004. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Shirdi has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 62%. In Shirdi, 15% of the population is under six years of age.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref>
As of the [[2011 census of India|2011 Indian census]], the population of Shirdi stood at 36,004, with males comprising 53% and females comprising 47%. The town recorded an average literacy rate of 70%, with male literacy at 76% and female literacy at 62%. About 15% of residents were under six years of age.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> By 2023, the town received around 60,000 [[Religious tourism|religious tourists]] each day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dasgupta |first=Ranjan |date=23 May 2023 |title=At Rs 900 crore, Shirdi temple's earnings top pre-Covid levels |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/at-900cr-shirdi-temples-earnings-top-pre-covid-levels/articleshow/100433618.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref>
 
== Transport ==


== Transportation ==
=== Train ===
=== Train ===
The [[Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station|Sainagar Shirdi Railway station]] became operational in March 2009. As of 2011, there are trains from [[Chennai]],<ref name="newtrainsjuly">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article2146173.ece|title=New trains will start operations from July|date=2011-06-30|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=27 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="cbetutexp">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article2149345.ece|title=Coimbatore-Tuticorin Express service from today|date=2011-07-01|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=27 April 2012|location=Tuticorin}}</ref> [[Mumbai]], [[Visakhapatnam]], [[Kakinada]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Mysore]]<ref name="mysoreweekly">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Mysore-Shirdi-weekly-train-from-Aug-1/articleshow/9413259.cms|title=Mysore-Shirdi weekly train from Aug 1|date=2011-07-29|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=27 April 2012|location=Hubli}}</ref> and other cities/states that have Shirdi railway station as their terminal stop.
The [[Sainagar Shirdi railway station]] became operational in March 2009. As of 2011, there are trains from Chennai, Mumbai, [[Visakhapatnam]], [[Kakinada]], [[Vijayawada]], Hyderabad, [[Mysore]], among others.{{Update inline|reason=Its been 14 years since 2011|date=February 2025}}


=== Air ===
=== Air ===
[[Shirdi Airport]] was inaugurated by the President of India, [[Ram Nath Kovind|Ramnath Kovind]], on 1 October 2017. There are major destinations from Shirdi airport, viz. the airports of Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. The airport is located at Kakdi, 14&nbsp;km south-west of Shirdi.<ref>{{cite news| title=Shirdi airport work in full swing: Official |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-02/pune/28275574_1_shirdi-airport-airport-project-airport-for-devotees-planning|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614053622/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-02/pune/28275574_1_shirdi-airport-airport-project-airport-for-devotees-planning|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 June 2012|access-date=3 June 2012| newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=2 July 2010}}</ref> The construction, according to the original plans, was completed in February 2016, and the first trial flight landed on 2 March 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=First trial flight touches down at Shirdi airport |author=Yogesh Naik |url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/First-trial-flight-touches-down-at-Shirdi-airport/articleshow/51232066.cms |newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]] |date=3 March 2016 |access-date=5 April 2016}}</ref> There are plans to lengthen the runway from 2,200 metres to 3,200 metres. The target completion date is 2017 or 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maharashtra govt made the runway for Shirdi Airport in 2013, rest of it will be made in 2017! |author=Kunal Anand |url=http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/maharashtra-govt-made-the-runway-for-shirdi-airport-in-2013-rest-of-it-will-be-made-in-2017_-250528.html |newspaper=[[India Times]] |date=10 February 2016 |access-date=5 April 2016}}</ref>
[[Shirdi Airport]] was inaugurated by [[President of India|then-president]] [[Ram Nath Kovind|Ramnath Kovind]] on 1 October 2017. Major destinations from Shirdi Airport include the airports of Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai. The airport is located in Kakadi, in the Kopargaon tahsil area, 14&nbsp;km southwest of Shirdi.<ref>{{cite news| title=Shirdi airport work in full swing: Official |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Shirdi-airport-work-in-full-swing-Official/articleshow/6117173.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614053622/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-02/pune/28275574_1_shirdi-airport-airport-project-airport-for-devotees-planning|url-status=live|archive-date=14 June 2012|access-date=3 June 2012| newspaper=The Times of India |date=2 July 2010}}</ref> The construction, according to the original plans, was completed in February 2016, and the first trial flight took place on 2 March 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=First trial flight touches down at Shirdi airport |author=Yogesh Naik |url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/First-trial-flight-touches-down-at-Shirdi-airport/articleshow/51232066.cms |newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]] |date=3 March 2016 |access-date=5 April 2016}}</ref> In July 2019, the state government approved extending the runway from 2,500 metres (8,200&nbsp;ft) to 3,200 metres (10,500&nbsp;ft), building a new terminal to boost hourly passenger capacity from 300 to 1,000, and adding night-landing facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sengupta |first=Joy |date=9 September 2019 |title=Shirdi airport takes step forward to bag 24x7 tag |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/shirdi-airport-takes-step-forward-to-bag-24x7-tag/articleshow/71039884.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref>


The nearest major airports are at [[Aurangabad Airport|Aurangabad]] and [[Pune Airport|Pune]], {{cvt|115|km}} and {{cvt|186|km}} respectively from Shirdi.
The nearest major airports are at [[Aurangabad Airport|Aurangabad]] and [[Pune Airport|Pune]], {{cvt|115|km}} and {{cvt|186|km}} respectively, from Shirdi.


=== By car ===
=== Road ===
Shirdi is accessible via the Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10, approximately {{cvt|83|km}} from Ahmednagar and {{cvt|15|km}} from Kopargaon. It is approximately {{cvt|240|km}} from Mumbai on the Eastern Express Highway.
Shirdi is accessible via [[National Highway 160 (India)|National Highway 160]], which runs through [[Maharashtra]] and [[Karnataka]]. Furthermore, the town is also accessible via [[State Highway 10 (Maharashtra)|State Highway 10]], which runs south through [[Pune district|Pune]], [[Ahmednagar district|Ahmednagar]], [[Nashik district|Nashik]], and [[Dhule district|Dhule]] districts.


== References ==
== References ==
Line 82: Line 83:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Shirdi}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Shirdi}}
 
* Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi's [https://www.sai.org.in/ Official Website]
* Visitors [https://mytempletrips.in/planning-for-trip-to-shridi-during-summer-holidays-some-tips-to-help-you-plan/  guide]
{{Ahmednagar district topics}}
{{Ahmednagar district topics}}
{{Hindu holy cities}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Shirdi| ]]
[[Category:Shirdi| ]]
[[Category:Talukas in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Talukas in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2001]]
[[Category:All articles containing potentially dated statements]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Sufi shrines in India]]
[[Category:Cities in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Holy cities]]
[[Category:Ashrams]]
[[Category:Religious places]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites]]
[[Category:Spiritual retreats]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Ahmednagar district]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Ahmednagar district]]
[[Category:Samadhis| ]]
[[Category:Tombs in India| ]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in India]]
[[Category:Universalism]]

Latest revision as of 14:18, 27 January 2026

Not to be confused with Shiradi.
Shirdi
Town
Sai Baba's Samadhi Mandir in 2017
Sai Baba's Samadhi Mandir in 2017
Nickname: 
Sainagar
Shirdi is located in Maharashtra
Shirdi
Shirdi
Shirdi is located in India
Shirdi
Shirdi
Coordinates: 19°46′N 74°29′E / 19.77°N 74.48°E / 19.77; 74.48
Country India
StateMaharashtra
DistrictAhmednagar
TalukaRahata
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Council
 • BodyShirdi Municipal Council
 • MPBhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Shiv Sena (UBT)
 • MLARadhakrishna Vikhe Patil, BJP
Area
 • Total13 km2 (5 sq mi)
Elevation
504 m (1,654 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total36,004
 • Density2,800/km2 (7,200/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMarathi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
423109
Telephone code02423
Vehicle registrationMH-17

Shirdi (About this soundpronunciation (help·info); also known as Sainagar) is a town and pilgrimage site in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Shirdi is located in the Rahata taluka of Ahmednagar district. It is most well known for being the home of the 19th-century Indian saint Sai Baba.

History[edit | edit source]

Further information: Sai Baba of Shirdi § Biography

In the mid-1850s, a young Sai Baba arrived and settled in Shirdi, then a small village. Although he was initially denounced by the villagers as a madman, over the following decades, he became a prominent spiritual figure, drawing both Hindu and Muslim devotees from the surrounding areas. Following his death in 1918, his remains were placed in Buti Wada, which eventually grew to become what is known today as Sai Baba's Samadhi Mandir or Shirdi Sai Baba Temple.[1][2]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

As of the 2011 Indian census, the population of Shirdi stood at 36,004, with males comprising 53% and females comprising 47%. The town recorded an average literacy rate of 70%, with male literacy at 76% and female literacy at 62%. About 15% of residents were under six years of age.[3] By 2023, the town received around 60,000 religious tourists each day.[4]

Transportation[edit | edit source]

Train[edit | edit source]

The Sainagar Shirdi railway station became operational in March 2009. As of 2011, there are trains from Chennai, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Mysore, among others.[needs update]

Air[edit | edit source]

Shirdi Airport was inaugurated by then-president Ramnath Kovind on 1 October 2017. Major destinations from Shirdi Airport include the airports of Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai. The airport is located in Kakadi, in the Kopargaon tahsil area, 14 km southwest of Shirdi.[5] The construction, according to the original plans, was completed in February 2016, and the first trial flight took place on 2 March 2016.[6] In July 2019, the state government approved extending the runway from 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) to 3,200 metres (10,500 ft), building a new terminal to boost hourly passenger capacity from 300 to 1,000, and adding night-landing facilities.[7]

The nearest major airports are at Aurangabad and Pune, 115 km (71 mi) and 186 km (116 mi) respectively, from Shirdi.

Road[edit | edit source]

Shirdi is accessible via National Highway 160, which runs through Maharashtra and Karnataka. Furthermore, the town is also accessible via State Highway 10, which runs south through Pune, Ahmednagar, Nashik, and Dhule districts.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Rigopoulos, Antonio (9 March 1993). The Life And Teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi. SUNY Press. ISBN 9781438417349.
  2. ↑ "Shirdi Sai Baba". Encyclopædia Britannica.
  3. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  4. ↑ Dasgupta, Ranjan (23 May 2023). "At Rs 900 crore, Shirdi temple's earnings top pre-Covid levels". The Times of India.
  5. ↑ "Shirdi airport work in full swing: Official". The Times of India. 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  6. ↑ Yogesh Naik (3 March 2016). "First trial flight touches down at Shirdi airport". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Sengupta, Joy (9 September 2019). "Shirdi airport takes step forward to bag 24x7 tag". The Times of India.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Hindu holy cities

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