Mhalsapati Cottage/Samadhi is situated in a narrow lane nearby Shri Tajudinbaba Devsthan in Shirdi (Maharashtra). Currently, Mhalsapati descendants – grandson lives there with family. Mhalsapati survived Saibaba by four years.
Opening/Closing Timings: 7:00 am till 9:00/10:00 pm
I stayed in Shirdi (Maharashtra) for four days. My morning starts with tea at Yewale Amruttulya – open from 5:30 am till 11 pm and then as there was no option of breakfast (though lunch/dinner was available) at the hotel, I walk a little bit via Kote Galli to reach Shri Mahalaxmi temple.
Nearby Shri Mahalaxmi temple, opposite Chaha House is Junaid’s tender coconut stall – for 5 years.
Junaid rides a Royal Enfield motorcycle and opens his tender coconut stall from 8 am till 9 pm daily.
The cost of tender coconut water is between Rs. 40 – Rs. 80.
I tried all. Rs. 80 tender coconut was too big in size but not that refreshing. Rs. 50 was the best.
In Mumbai, in the morning hours, I drink almost every day tender coconut water and the price is the same – Rs. 40 and Rs. 50.
Tender Coconut from Mysore is the best as per Mumbai tender coconut stall owners and also as per Junaid.
After having tender coconut water, I walk towards Mahalaxmi Tiffin Center i.e., next to Junaid tender coconut stall to have Dosa or Vada or Idli.
Mahalaxmi Tiffin Center opens from 6 am to 1 pm, run by family members for 12 years.
Lady prepares dosa and her husband – Vada. Two members of the family serve customers.
The cost of Dosa is – Rs. 30, Vada and Idli – Rs. 20.
Dosa was good but my personal favorite was Vada at Mahalaxmi Tiffin Center.
Other than tender coconut water, hot/cheap/crispy street food options especially in the early morning hours, if you like fruits, you can have Ber (Indian jujube) – Rs. 50/Kg and Peru (Guava/अमरुद) – 5/6 for Rs. 40/50/80 (you have to bargain) available nearby temple area.
Shirdi is famous for Ber (Indian jujube) and Peru i.e., Guava (अमरुद). During the village visit, I saw Guava farming in-around Shirdi.
I remember during a visit to Deeg (Bharatpur, Rajasthan), I purchased Ber for Rs. 20 per kg but that was in the year 2014. If I compare the size and color of the Ber in Deeg and in Shirdi – There is a big difference.
Shirdi’s Ber is bigger and green in color though Deeg Ber is yellow in color and smaller in size.
Tastewise which one is better – I can’t say. Yet to taste Shirdi’s Ber.
Shri Saibaba used to visit five houses in the village for Bhiksha (alms). Late Bayaji Appa Kote Patil house was the first one.
Wamandada Gondkar was one of his contemporary disciples who received the affection of Saibaba. Wamandada’s house was one of the five homes where Sai used to ask for Bhiksha (food) every day. Baba and Wamandada created ‘Lendibagh’ in the place of Muralidharrao Gondkar; for this, Wamandada would provide two clay pots to Baba every day. After watering the trees, Baba used to break both the clay pots.
श्री साईबाबा और वामनदादा गोंडकर
वामनदादा गोंदकर उनके समकालीन शिष्यों में से एक थे जिन्हें साईंबाबा का स्नेह प्राप्त था। वामनदादा का घर उन पाँच घरों में से एक था जहाँ साईं प्रतिदिन भिक्षा (भोजन) माँगते थे। मुरलीधरराव गोंदकर के स्थान पर बाबा और वामनदादा ने ‘लेंडीबाग’ का निर्माण किया; इसके लिए वामनदादा प्रतिदिन बाबा को दो मिट्टी के घड़े प्रदान करते थे। बाबा पेड़ों को सींचने के बाद मिट्टी के दोनों घड़ों को तोड़ देते थे।
(English to Hindi Translation by Google Translate)
Shanishingnapur – 0, Rahuri – 25, Shirdi – 75, Manmad – 130, Sangamner – 85, Nashik – 143, Trimbakeshwar – 172
(Distance in Kms)
I reached Shirdi from Mumbai by bus at 2:30 pm and by 2:40 pm I was in the hotel.
After freshening up, I decided to skip the afternoon meal and had a walk around Shirdi.
Not far from the hotel, I saw Yewale Amruttulya – Pune’s famous tea brand, since 1983.
* Yewale – The surname, Amruttulya – Amrut (nectar), tulya (comparable).
The spacious shop is near Shree Chavadi.
Yewale Amruttulya is a known brand in Mumbai. Opposite Bombay Dyeing at Worli, I have visited this shop many times and had a cup of tea with friends. I was aware of the quality of the tea – which is excellent and the price – per cup was Rs. 10 only.
Immediately, I decided to have a cup of tea.
The taste of the tea was as similar to I had in Worli. No change i.e., excellent. They maintain similar quality at all branches/franchises.
The only difference – at Worli before the lockdown, they serve tea via their own cup having Yewale Amruttulya printed but here in Shirdi due to the pandemic (COVID-19), they are serving tea via plastic cups.
What I like the most about Yewale Amruttulya: The quality/taste/color of the tea and the cleanliness/hygiene in-around the shop. One can also watch the tea preparation as it is viewable for customers.
I had two cups of tea.
Motto (displayed): In the next ten years, to start & run successfully 2500 branches across India & around the world.
Best Wishes! You will.
The next day, walking around the Saibaba temple area, I saw Tea Canteen by Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi.
And the cost:
Tea – Rs. 2 only, Coffee – Rs. 3 only and Milk – Rs. 3 only. Subsidized rates. Good for the needy and even for us sometimes.
I requested coffee but was not available thus, I requested a cup of tea.
The tea taste was different from Yewale Amruttulya but had its own value i.e., quality & taste.
During four days stay, numerous times I had tea at Yewale Amruttulya (especially early morning hours) and at Tea Canteen during evening hours.
Yewale Amruttulya opens from 5:30 am to 11 pm and the Tea Canteen is 24 hours open.
I am a tea lover (without sugar) though I am not diabetic. At home, I prepare tea myself thus, when I am on tour I wish to taste the best tea in town/city no matter if it is with sugar. Every town/city always has a famous tea point.
I suggest: if you – The devotees visiting Shirdi, visit the shop as well as canteen.
Please note: Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi also runs Prasadalaya – 1 km from the temple. There they provide Prasad for FREE and at a Subsidized rate. I visited thrice and had delicious Prasad.
* Marathi to English translation by – Rahul Patil – a dear friend from Pune, Maharashtra.
Online Darshan Pass/Booking was completed for Shri SaiBaba Temple, Shirdi, and also for Shri Shaneshwar Devasthan, Shanishingnapur.
Now the question:
How to reach Shirdi from Mumbai? Travel Options?
I thought of booking a night train from Mumbai to Shirdi via www.irctc.co.in but the message displayed after login and search was: In the wake of COVID-19 and as a measure of abundant caution, booking has been suspended on this route for all trains until further advice.
Next option?
Mumbai to Shirdi via Bus
www.redbus.in (India’s largest online bus ticketing platform) is one of the best options to book bus tickets.
I searched Mumbai to Shirdi and the results displayed MSRTC buses, Neeta tours and travels BharatBenz bus (A/C Seater – 2+2), Dolphin travel house bus (A/C Sleeper – 2+2), and many more having ticket prices somewhere between INR 300 – INR 1010 depending upon Seater, Sleeper, Safety, Amenities, Boarding, and Dropping Points, Reviews, etc.
Departure timings start from 5:30 in the morning till 11 in the night.
I thought of booking the morning MSRTC SHIVSHAHI bus because the boarding point was near to home and I also wanted to experience travel via the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus.
Done.
Received E-Reservation Ticket via Email from redbus.
Total Chargeable Amount including GST – Rs. 565 only.
Approx. Boarding Point – Andheri Char Bungalow (Time: 06:15 Hrs.) and Dropping Point – Shirdi at 13:30
Total journey hours: 07h 15m.
There was also an MSRTC SHIVSHAHI bus taking much lesser time – 5h 10m – boarding point Mumbai Central for INR 355/.
But I was happy because the booked MSRTC SHIVSHAHI bus boarding point was near to the house and I was about to experience travel via Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus.
Then a question arises:
The boarding Point mentioned is – Andheri Char Bungalow – where exactly in Char Bungalow?
I dialed the Toll-Free Helpline number for clarity but was disappointed because the person present at the helpline number was not aware of the exact boarding point in Char Bungalow, Andheri West.
Now, what next?
I tried a few more contacts mentioned on the MSRTC website. I was told – Boarding Point is near Char Bungalow Post Office.
As per my knowledge (if I am correct), there is no post office in Char Bungalow, Andheri (West).
What to do?
I canceled the ticket with disappointment. I was not happy. The joy to travel via Government bus – failed.
I received an Email from redbus mentioning a refund of Rs. 416.50 (will be credited in account in 5-7 bank working days).
Next, the only available is Neeta Tours And Travels (Bharat Benz Bus A/C Seater – 2+2).
Booked ticket for Rs. 550.
I received an eTicket via Email from redbus mentioning tour details as follows:
Boarding Point: Andheri (E) Neeta Travels, *Western Tower Building, Next To Bisleri Compound.
*not too far from home
Departure Time: 7:00 am, Dropping Point: Neeta Annex Hotel, Shirdi at 02:45 pm.
Total journey hours: 07h 45m.
NOTE: This operator accepts mTicket, you need not carry a printout. Insure your travel (Loss of baggage up to Rs. 3,000 insurance cover & Personal accident Rs. 6,00,000 insurance cover) by adding Rs 15 per passenger – Powered by ICICI Lombard General Insurance.
Done. Received Email / SMS from redbus and Email from ICICI Lombard.
Finally, on the journey date at 6:45 am, I was present next to Bisleri Compound, Western Express Highway, Andheri – East, Mumbai.
At 7:05 am bus arrived.
The bus conductor verified the name from his list. Hand Sanitisers were sprinkled on both hands at the entrance of the bus door.
I enter the bus and was amazed because it was 26 Seater – 2+1 BharatBenz Bus.
I had a window seat (I selected online) not too far from the door. After 5 minutes bus started on its journey to Shirdi.
The seat/bus was comfortable & clean, air-conditioned – working though mobile charger point was not near the seat. It was near the driver. There was no entertainment on a long journey such as melodious music. Little boring – I have to say.
Anyway, at 8:00 am we reached Mulund.
At 9:20 am the bus stopped at Hotel Paramount (Pure Jain food) at Shahpur. The halt was for 20 minutes. I had tea for Rs. 25/. The best was the clean toilet of Hotel Paramount – a rarity.
At 10:50 am we reached Igatpuri. Before Igatpuri the drive was too picturesque as we pass through Kasara Ghat. I enjoyed it thoroughly, especially because I was having a window seat.
11:45 am at Mumbai Naka, Nashik.
Note: The shorter route from Mumbai to Shirdi is via GHOTI (after Igatpuri). There is an MSRTC bus from Parel that reaches Shirdi via Ghoti. But how much time it takes – no idea.
1:05 pm the bus again had a halt for 20 minutes at Hotel Sai Virbhadra at Pangri village (approx. 40 km before Shirdi). I visited the bathroom which was very clean.
I had Kesar-Pista and Chocolate ice cream – both for Rs. 20 each. It was delicious and the price was also cheap though the company – cups n cones was never heard. In short, unknown brands can be excellent too.
Anyway, the bus re-started the journey and at 2:30 pm (15 minutes before time) reached Shirdi (Ahmednagar, Maharashtra).
In-totality: The journey from Mumbai to Shirdi by BharatBenz Bus (A/C Seater – 2+1) was good if not, excellent (no music). The two stoppages at nice & clean hotels – appreciated. Road condition especially at Kasara Ghat is fantastic.