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The beatific land of Sai makes you feel the omnipresence of God. The soothing sound of the temple bells ringing amidst the clamour of devotees, and the divine garlanded idol of Sai Baba smiling benignly, makes the search for peace worthwhile. Shirdi tourism is a religion by itself.
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Shirdi, also known as Sainagar, is one of the most holy towns in the Indian state of Maharashtra. As the former abode of spiritual leader Sai Baba, the region attracts millions of pilgrims through its revered gates. A place of immense tranquillity, beauty and culture, it enables individuals to clear their minds and embrace their beliefs and faith.
The destination can be visited throughout the year, although certain periods trump others. When it comes to the best time to visit Shirdi, one must consider their own requirements as well as their tolerance levels towards the heat and cold. To make it simple for you, Thomas Cook has provided a concise break up of winter, summer and monsoon, equipped with what to do and what not to do.
Your spiritual journey is about to begin. But first, pick the right time!
Peak Season – November to February
Shoulder Season – March to May
Low Season – June to September
|
Travel Seasons |
Min/Max Temperature |
Season |
|
March to May |
20-42°C |
Summer - Hot and humid |
|
June to September |
23-33°C |
Monsoon - Mid-high rain fall |
|
October to February |
12-27°C |
Winter - Chilly |
Temperature – The air temperature during the season of summer fluctuates between 20°C and 42°C.
Weather – The climate of Shirdi in summer can be described as blistering and uncomfortable. With temperatures gracing the 40-degree range, the atmosphere is cocooned in a bubble of warmth. Furthermore, high levels of humidity add to the general feeling of exhaustion in the air.
Significance – The festival of Ramnavami is celebrated with great glee during the months of March and April. At this time, the entire town lights up with processions, parades, ritual songs and dance. This is your chance to witness an authentic celebration that is unique to a religious hub like Shirdi.
Why you should visit now – We wouldn’t recommend this period for obvious reasons. However, if you’re a budget traveller or are looking to avoid the large crowds then this is the best season to visit Shirdi in. You can take advantage of shorter queues and friendlier prices.
Things to know before the visit – Most pilgrims and tourists avoid the season of summer due to the high levels of heat and humidity. As such, travel and accommodation will be much more affordable as hotels will look to attract customers with great offers. Make sure you optimise on this. Also, take note of the fact that this is a religious town and one must dress appropriately when entering temples.
Tips – Gear up for a scorching summer. Due to the unrelenting sun, the atmosphere gets extremely sticky. As such, it is imperative that you adorn yourself with light and airy cotton clothing. But, make sure you are fully clad as this is a traditional and conservative region.
Temperature – The air temperature during the season of monsoon fluctuates between 23°C and 33°C.
Weather – The weather of Shirdi in monsoon is perfectly alluring. The temperatures are amicable, the air is fresh and earthy. The atmosphere is blessed with cool winds and sparkly drops of aqua. The entire region is rendered lush and green!
Significance – Every year in July, the festival of Guru Purnima is celebrated with immense aplomb. Shirdi witnesses beautiful moments of love, togetherness and faith. Pilgrims, locals and foreigners partake in this, with religious fervour. Imagine experiencing it all, whilst the rain Gods shower their blessings from above?
Why you should visit now – The periods of monsoon and winter are the best times to explore the town and one’s own faith. Not only will you be able to visit the auspicious sights with comfort, you will also be able to enjoy the wonders of the exquisite rainy season. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to view Shirdi in a different light!
Things to know before the visit – The season of monsoon is a popular time for pilgrims to visit the town, as anything is better than the insufferable heat. As such, the crowds will be quite large and queues will be significantly longer too. We’d advise you to sort out your accommodation well in advance.
Tips – When visiting temples and other religious sites, you’ll be required to remove your footwear and dry your umbrellas. As such, make sure to carry a light and distinguishable umbrella and recognisable footwear. Keep your electronic devices switched off and in the safety of a plastic pouch. Lastly, keep an eye on your belongings as pick pocketers may be near.
Temperature – The air temperature during the season of winter fluctuates between 12°C and 27°C.
Weather – The months of November to February are blessed with pleasing weather conditions. The atmosphere is cool but not severely cold. With temperatures falling to a minimum 12 degrees, one can truly take in the landscapes and religious sites with contentment.
Significance – Shirdi during winter is a lovely balance of serenity and spirituality. One can visit the iconic Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, attend public readings of ancient scriptures and witness devotional programs. The region can be explored to the fullest during this time. The meditative atmosphere is best cultivated when there is a nip in the air!
Why you should visit now – Winter is the best climate to visit Shirdi in. One can tour the sacred sites with ease and comfort. The religious journey is best undertaken when the air is crisp and cool, so that one can navigate the long lines and large crowds seamlessly.
Things to know before the visit – Winter is regarded as peak tourist season. Pilgrims make their way from all over the country and the globe to offer their prayers. As such, accommodation is booked out at lightning speed. To avoid any hassles, make sure you plan your trip in advance.
Tips – Dress appropriately for the cold, which means being clad in a long sleeve shirt, pants and a cardigan/jacket on top. You may also require a scarf in case of strong gusts of winds. Don’t forget to carry moisturizer and lip balm, they’re winter necessities. In spite of the weather being mild, the nights can get extremely frosty.
Serenity is within your reach. All you have to do is head to the Thomas Cook website and click on Shirdi holiday packages!
Maharashtrian cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Aurangabad are the major transit airports while traveling to Shirdi. Aurangabad is the closest domestic airport at a 130km from Shirdi, whereas the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is 240km away. Although Aurangabad is closer to Shirdi, Mumbai Airport is comparatively much more well connected to numerous cities in India – Bangalore, Bhopal, Allahabad, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Shimla, Dehradun, only to name a few. Shirdi is a 5.5-hour smooth sailing drive from Mumbai, whether it be by a hired cab or private car.
The Pune airport, the Lohegaon Airport is 195km from Shirdi’s locus. Also, easily accessible from many cities such as Bangalore, Goa, Delhi, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Nagpur - and more – you will spend 4.5 hours in your car seat to reach Shirdi from Pune. A variety of taxi and bus services are at your service from the airport itself.
Indian domestic airlines including SpiceJet Indigo, AirAsia, GoAir and Air India are conveniently linked to Mumbai, Pune, and Aurangabad airports.
Sainagar Shirdi is Shirdi’s very own railway station, a mere 10km distance from the central Saibaba temple. Trains from Pune, Nagpur, Mumbai, Thane, Hyderabad, Nasik, Mysore, Lucknow, Bangalore, and Kanpur, among others, are linked to Shirdi. Mumbai Garibrat, Janshatabdi Express, and Maharasthra Express include some of the well-known and frequented Shirdi trains. Kopergaon railway station also neighbours the town at a distance of 15km from the city center. It is the final destination for the popular Bangalore-Delhi Karnataka Express.
A drive to Shirdi from any main Maharashtrian State will last a maximum of 5.5 hours and present interesting towns and villages along the way. Moreover, the journey is a breeze, lacking tumultuous terrains or complicated direction changes. It is accessible via the Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No. 10; signs along the way are abundant, considering how frequently people travel to Shirdi. Travelers with families generally commute in their private car, enabling travel within the city as well. Taxis can be hired for the day as well.
Maharashtra State Transport provides bus services from Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Kopargaon, Mumbai, Naik, and Pune. For those able to spend a little extra and combat the heat and humidity, private Volvo buses offer plenty of trips to Shirdi. The bus station in Shirdi is conveniently located in the heart of the city, across the street from the Sri Sainath Hospital on the main road. Following are approximate distances of some cities from Shirdi so you are able to plan your journey well:
