Shirdi - Saibaba 

Shirdi is a holy place famous for the mystic saint Sai Baba. Shirdi is 97 kmsaway from Nashik. Sai Baba spent his life and also breathed his last in Shirdi.  In the memory of Sai Baba, a big marble temple has been built in Shirdi, which attracts devotees from all over India and abroad. Sai Baba is worshipped with  great reverence among all sects and religions of India. He is specially famous amongst all the Indian film industrialists and businessmen. Thursdays are of  special significance for the devotees, who flock for Aarati and Prasad on this day. Sai Baba's teachings were in leading a simple life and in the oneness of  God. His saying SABKA MALIK EK meaning there is only one God and he isthe Master of all.  
The place where he breathed his last is called as Samadhisthan, which is considered by devotees as a holy place. Eternal Dhuni (fireplace), Dwarkabai Mosque are also regarded as holy places. Ashrama of Sri Upasani Maharaj and Sri Godavari Mataji at Sakori are two kilometers away from Shirdi.  Samadhisthan of Sri Janardan Swami and Shri Jangli Maharaj Mandir are at Kopergaon Road, 5 kms  away from Shirdi.  
Sai Baba Trust called Sai Baba Sansthan takes care of the temple and worship arrangements. They also provide accommodation and food for the visitors at Dharmashala (caravansaray) and at Bhakta Niwas i.e. Shelter for Devotees. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, The Pilgrim Inn and other  hotels are also available. Fairs are held in Shirdi on Ramnavami, Guru Poornima and Dashahara.  
 

Saptshrungi Devi Vani :  

Hindu almanac considers three and half days as highly auspicious. They are  Gudipadwa - Hindu's New Year, Dushhera, Diwali and Akshaytritiya. Likewisedwelling places of Goddesses in Maharashtra are famous. Tuljapur where Tulja Bhawani dwells, Kolhapur, the dwelling place of Ambabhavani, and Mahur where  Kulaswamini dwells. Saptashringa Garh where Goddess Bhagawati dwells is half as  important as any of the earlier mentioned places of Goddesses in Maharashtra. Saptashringa means the mountain having seven peaks. It is around 55 kms away  from Nashik. Nanduri village is situated at the foot of the Saptashringa Garh. The road to the temple is zig - zag and climbs around 11 kms till it reaches the top. In front of the temple there stands Markandeya  Rishi's (sage) hill. The Saptashringa Garh is full of a variety of trees having medicinal worth. As per the  story in the epic Ramayana, Hanuman carried the herbal medicine for wounded Laxmana from this hill.  There are about 108 water reservoirs on the hill. They are called as Kundas.  

Sheetakada 

As you go a little further from the temple there is a peak called Sheetkada and a deep valley. It is 
approximately 1500 feet deep. An anecdote attached to this place goes like this. A lady prayed and urged Goddess Bhagawati to give her a son. If her wish was fulfilled by the Goddess, as a gesture of  gratitude, she offered to jump in the valley, sitting in a bullock-cart. It is said that since she got a son, the lady kept her promise and did jump along with her son sitting in a bullock-cart in the valley. The marks of bullock-cart are still visible on the Sheetkada. The Sheetakada is at the height of approximately 4638feet from the sea level. The Goddess Bhagawati is also called as Wani Goddess. On reaching the top of the hill, one still has to climb 470 steps to reach the temple. Old records show that these steps were built by Umabai Dabhade in 1710.  

Idol of Goddess  

Saptashringi Goddess is known as Khandesh's Goddess. Devotees from Chalisgaon, Jalgaon, Malegaon  and Dhulia visit this temple frequently. The idol of the Goddess is set at a height, so that she can be seen from a distance too. She has 9 pairs of arms, holding different weapons. Her sparkling eyes, slightly  inflated nostrils wearing Nath (an ornament to be worn in the nose) and 18 hands look very attractive.Every full moon day and during Navaratri the temple is crowded with devotees. The Goddess is offered coconuts and sarees. The Goddess is also called as Mahishasur Mardini. A story in this connection is  that Demon Mahishasur was creating problem for Markendaya Rishi. Markendaya had made a Holy Fire to eliminate him. The Goddess emerged with 9 pairs of arms holding different weapons from theoly Fire and eliminated the Demon. Hence Mahishasur Mardini, meaning the one who slayed Mahishasur. 

Significance of the Flag  

The Holy Flag of Goddess Bhagawati flutters in the north of Saptashringa Garh. hoisting of the Flag is a privilege of a particular family. The ritual of Flag hoisting on a specific day is witnessed by thousands ofdevotees. People believe that the Goddess fulfills their wishes. So this place is frequented by devotees throughout the year. 

Facilities  

Of late, this place has been renovated. Railings on the road side have been constructed. The staircasehas been covered to protect devotees from sun and rain. Two separate routes for going up and coming down are built. To take rest while climbing the 470 steps, benches at certain intervals have been placed.For a night's halt, Dharmashala (caravansaray) is arranged by the Trustees. They make blankets and mattresses available to the visitors. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation has built rest housesthere. Literature about the Goddess , photos, coconuts and saries for offering to the Goddess areavailable. Priests help tourists to perform Puja. Low cost but clean food is also available in the Priest's  houses.