The Jeep Driver for the Shirdi-Shani Shingnapur-Shirdi Trip
Santosh Nariyal Centre – Puja Items Shop in Shani Shingnapur
At 10:45 am I reached Shani Shingnapur from Shirdi.
The driver of the Force Cruiser Jeep parked the vehicle in front of Santosh Nariyal Centre near the Shani Shingnapur temple area.
The purpose of parking the Jeep at this location was clear. The devotees may purchase puja items required for the worship of God Shani.
I purchased the smallest available mustard oil bottle and black sesame seeds.
Rs. 100 paid (you have to bargain).
A Bull Extracting Sugarcane Juice
A Bull Extracting Sugarcane Juice (Rs. 20 per glass) – This photo was taken at Rahuri during the Shirdi to Shani Shingnapur journey.
How much Time does it Take to Reach Shani Shingnapur from Shirdi (to-and-fro) by a Sharing Jeep?
Shani Shingnapur from Shirdi (to-and-fro) by a sharing jeep takes 4 hours and 35 minutes.
Our Force Cruiser sharing Jeep with 14 devotees started its journey from Pimpalwadi Road, Shirdi at 8:55 am.
10:10 am we reached Rahuri and the jeep stopped for devotees to have sugarcane juice (Rs. 20 per glass).
At 10:35 am we reached Sonai and at 10:45 am we reached Shani Shingnapur.
Shani Shingnapur from Shirdi by a sharing Jeep takes 1 hour and 50 minutes.
After a break of approx. 1 hour, at 11:50 am the jeep re-started its journey from Shani Shingnapur.
12:15 Noon we reached Rahuri and at 1:30 pm we reached Mahalaxmi Temple, Pimpalwadi Road, Shirdi.
Shani Shingnapur to Pimpalwadi Road, Shirdi by a sharing Jeep takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.
What is Sharing Jeep Fare from Shirdi to Shani Shingnapur?
The sharing jeep fare from Shirdi to Shani Shingnapur (to and fro) is Rs. 200 per passenger.
Force Cruiser Jeep is available near Gate No. 2 of Shri Sai Baba Temple at Pimpalwadi Road.
The total number of passengers at a time traveling by Force Cruiser Jeep is either 13 or 14.
Is there a State Transport Bus from Shirdi to Shani Shingnapur?
I visited Shirdi Bus Depot (walking distance from Shri Sai Baba Temple) to inquire whether there is a State Transport Bus from Shirdi to Shani Shingnapur or not.
The person sitting inside the inquiry window said that yes, at 10:30 am daily there is only one State Transport Bus from Shirdi to Shani Shingnapur.
After reaching Shani Shingnapur the bus will halt for an hour so that devotees visit Shree Shanidev Temple and then the bus will return to Shirdi Bus Depot.
Breakfast & Lunch in Shirdi with Price
Breakfast & Lunch in Shirdi with Price
Butter Roti (2) – Rs.70
Butter Milk – Rs. 55
Aloo Jeera – Rs. 150
Dal Fry – Rs. 150
Parcel Charges – Rs. 20
Total with CGST/SGST – Rs. 467
Note: I have to request to Udipi Express to parcel the lunch because the quantity was too much. They don’t serve Half Dal Fry or Half Aloo Jeera.
Udipi Express is situated at Pimpalwadi Road opposite to Gate No. 2 of Shri Sai Baba Temple.
In the morning I had breakfast at Udipi Express. The menu was:
Butter Milk (Rs. 55) and Pav Bhaji (Rs. 100) with extra Butter Pav (Rs. 20). Total with CGST/SGST – Rs. 184.
Next day, in the morning I also visited Sai Sagar Food Court at Pimpalwadi Road and had Medu Vada (Rs. 90) and Filter Coffee (Rs. 45).
In short: Both Udipi Express and Sai Sagar Food Court serve delicious HOT food. One may visit.
Review: Hotel Sai Smaran – A Luxury Budget Hotel near Shri Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi
4.1 Google Star rating & more than 950 Google reviews – Hotel Sai Smaran constructed in 2011 has 42 air-conditioned rooms with English toilets in a very good location. Just 5 minutes walk from Gate No. 2 of Shri Sai Baba Temple.
Even restaurants/markets are nearby.
Hotel Sai Smaran does not have an onsite kitchen facility. Only lodging but they provide food services including tea at room as per request.
Charges for rooms start from Rs.2000 for 2 people and go up to Rs. 4000.
There are 4 types of rooms: 1. NON AC EXECUTIVE DOUBLE BED 2. NON AC EXECUTIVE TRIPLE BED 3. EXECUTIVE TRIPLE BED AC 4. EXECUTIVE DOUBLE BED AC
I stayed in a non-ac executive double bed room for a night and I paid Rs. 2000.
As I was traveling solo to Sainagar Shirdi, I opted for a non-ac room (back side of the hotel) with a window on the 2nd floor which was comfortable, spacious (155 sq.ft) and quiet.
Hotel Sai Smaran is having 3 floors, a lift, a TV in the room, hot/cold water in the bathroom, a shower, toiletaries, a towel, a western toilet, Intercomm, 3 mobile/laptop charging points, a dustbin, a ceiling fan, Oxycool complimentary water bottle, blanket/pillows, mirror, 24-hour room service, parking.
If they place a cupboard with hangers in a room then it will be more good.
2011 is not a new construction but all fittings, and faucets are of good quality and in working order. The hotel is maintained top-notch.
The staff was humble and supportive specially Sumit at the reception counter. He responded well for our queries.He guided with the local attractions.
Hotel Sai Smaran also have travel agency if your requirement for a hire car or auto for Shirdi tour.
The have Wi-Fi availability or not I am not sure about it because I haven’t used it.
Will book again if I have to travel to Shirdi again. Check-Out time: 12 noon.
As my train was in the night hours, Sumit allowed me to leave my luggage in hotel storeroom though I check-out at 12 noon. So nice of him.
Note: There is a Lokseva Vada-Pav Center just opposite the Sai Smaran hotel. I had one vada-pav and it was awesome. Timings: 8 am – 1 pm.
All I can say Hotel Sai Smaran is a 3-star luxury budget hotel almost. Highly recommended.
Do not hesitate to book this hotel as it is worth it all the way. Value for money.
Check-in & Check-out was very smooth – The plus point.
Auto Fare: Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station to Hotel Sai Smaran – How much I Paid?
Auto Fare: Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station to Hotel Sai Smaran (3 km as per Google) – I Paid Rs. 100.
However, the shared autos were available and the fare from Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station to Shri Sai Baba Temple was Rs. 20 per passenger (including portable luggage).
As I had a not so portable luggage, I was looking for a full auto to drop me at the hotel somewhere opposite to gate no. 2 of Shri Sai Baba Temple.
Kishore – An auto (6 seater) wala approached me at Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station.
I told him the destination – Hotel Sai Smaran.
Rs. 100 he replied for the entire auto booking.
Without any bargain I said – Ok.
It took 10 minutes to reach the hotel.
Road condition good.
Rs. 100 paid.