After getting done with my midterm, I wanted to take a month-long break and go on a solo trip to get in touch with myself. I had a few places in mind, somewhere near the sea or maybe the mountains, but one of my friends suggested I start my trip with Shirdi – a quaint little town known for its soulful vibes and tranquillity. The sacred town is situated in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.
The Journey
I started my journey early in the morning. I had already booked a taxi from Pune to Shirdi, and we took the NH60 to travel. Mountains covered with trees accompanied us throughout the car ride. The route was scenic, and I knew I had made the right decision by embarking on this journey.
Reaching Shirdi
It took me nearly four hours to reach the temple town of Shirdi, the city where people are filled with faith; the city where people don’t believe in locking their doors and welcome everyone, be it friends or strangers coming to visit the temple. That is how I felt when I arrived there, welcomed and at home. Once I checked into a hotel near the temple, I got ready to visit the Sai Baba Sansthan.
The Darshan
It was the time for Madhya Aarti when I reached the temple. There were four queues that I had to walk through before I could finally see the beautiful marble statue of Sai Baba.
I have no words to describe the feeling you get when you are close to a power that transcends all other things in life. A moment of absolute bliss, although it was brief, that short-lived moment was enough to make me rethink everything and had me questioning the way I had been living all this time. The energy in that shrine was so all-consuming, it makes one wonder at the grand scheme of things, the purpose of life.
The priests talked about the samadhi, formerly known as “Buty Wada,” where Sai Baba breathed his last breath. The forty minutes of standing in those queues had finally paid off. There was a sense of belonging and individuality at the same time.
Things to do in Shirdi
After visiting the temple, I explored the local markets. There were many shops selling things that exhibit Marathi culture. The markets were colorful and joyous. I don’t think there can be a better way to know a place and understand its culture than by exploring the local markets. The air was scented with flowers and sweets.
The warmth and hustle-bustle of the place reminded me how important it is to take a break once in a while to remind oneself of all the other things that can bring joy and peace to life. After having a very busy and exciting day, I returned to my hotel room. The next morning, I got ready to head back to Pune to venture on my next trip. I had already made a taxi booking in advance to go back.
I bought presents for everyone from my trip, but the most important thing that I got was a sense of self. The entire journey is not only religious but soulful too. The beauty of Shirdi lies in its simplicity, which is why people from all walks of life come to Shirdi for various reasons. In the end, all I can say is that we should hit a pause in our busy lives and embrace life as it is.