“Often, a truly felt wish is fulfilled by the universe before you plan for it”.
The Passive Mind
The background story
On a pleasant day somewhere in the 2nd week of March 2021, I was occupied with regular errands. A message dropped from the university. Ah, the result of Supplementary Exam 2020. In a second I got horrified and full of nervousness, but it was good news. Yes, all backlogs are cleared this time and I am done with my 2nd Master’s degree, ‘Masters in Business Law’. It was a great relief. After lagging for so long, it was finally completed. Suddenly, a thought popped up, ‘Let’s visit Shirdi’ and at the earliest.
The pandemic hit, lockdowns, curfews on one hand, and on the other hand, my truly felt wish. I was completely in a dilemma about whether it was the right decision to travel solo during this time or to plan for a future date. I tried talking to a few close friends, seeking their advice. They were positive about it. However, we need to plan properly and be careful of the virus spread. Though financially, it was tough at that time to manage time and for a safe journey, I booked a direct flight from Bangalore to Shirdi.
I started inquiring, planning, and booking. The plan was to land in Shirdi, visit the temple, and after darshan leave for Pune to my friend’s place. Then from Pune, travel back to Bangalore by bus. I find the plan fine to go with.
Preparations
Due to COVID restrictions, it was mandatory to book the darshan timing in advance. Like any Sai devotee, I also wished to visit Sai temple on Thursday, but to avoid the rush, there was no darshan schedule for special days like festivals and Thursdays. So I booked it for Friday afternoon. Overjoyed and excited with just 2 days to go.
It was my third visit to Shirdi but the first time by direct flight to Shirdi. I booked the flight 3 days in advance. It cost me around five thousand rupees.
Next, my plan was to book a private bus from Shiridi to Pune after having the darshan. I was looking for a bus which is safe, comfortable and has a drop point near to my friend’s place in Pune. I had to reach Pune by 9 PM as there was a night curfew there and it would be difficult to travel to my friend’s place. After much research and discussions with several bus operators, I booked a bus to Pune. I didn’t pay as he said you can pay while boarding.
I packed only the bare necessities in my luggage, including clothes and accessories. The best part was that for darshan I didn’t have to pack separately as I got ready from home as I was having darshan immediately after landing at Shirdi. So I booked things that I needed for my Pune stay and for travelling back to Bangalore (as it was a bus journey).
When I pack for travel, I try to keep my luggage light and small. I carry things that I really need. First I pack my wallet along with ticket copies (a hard copy), ID proofs, first aid, chargers, toiletries, a towel and inner-wear. Clothes, jewellery, etc come later.
I always prefer to keep my bag organised and hassle-free. As I had bad experiences earlier, I would suggest while packing, try light-weight alternatives, multi-storage baggage with a good locking system.
The Journey Day
Excited, happy, stressed, anxious, and nervous all at once. But I was confident, ‘whatever it is, I am going. As always, the sudden news came in the morning that there was a national farmer’s strike. Another stumbling block in my path, but when you have the grace of Sai Baba and he wants you to do certain things, nothing can stop you.
Now my concern was to reach the airport safely and on time. Due to COVID restrictions, this strike and the number of cabs were very low from my location, and government transport to the airport was paused. But, I am used to the sudden appearance of weird and tough situations. Also, a solo traveller goes through all these fears and uncertainties. However, safety is the first and foremost thing that needs to be taken care of.
I have a few really good humans as my friends. They come as rescuers. That day, one such rescuer was Abdul, my Afghani friend. Abdul really proves that for Pathans, friendship is very special and they can do anything for it. He got to know about my travel plans, and he himself offered help. So my tension about reaching the airport is solved. Abdul is going to drop me off.
All the way to the airport. I was praying for a safe and hassle-free journey. And finally, I am at the airport.
There was just one cabin bag and web check-in was done in advance. I finished all the flying formalities and walked ahead to the boarding gate and boarded the flight.
Arrival at Shirdi
On-time, I landed at Shirdi International Airport, a very happy and relaxed feeling. I came out and informed my sister and Abdul about my safe landing. Next is to book a vehicle to the temple.
I researched that one can hire a cab and drive to Shirdi temple, or there is public transportation from Shirdi International Airport to Dwarkamai at a nominal cost, which is around 60 KM away. There is no OLA or any online booking facility. Since I didn’t see any bus there without wasting time, I booked a taxi from the desk, which cost me around INR 400.
Luckily, after getting inside the cab, the driver found me another co-passenger, so now the fare will be shared. The other passenger was a senior gentleman from Andhra Pradesh. He was quite talkative and nice. He got down somewhere before the temple.
I enjoyed the sunny weather in March. I was so happy and excited. The houses, trees, and roads alongside were making my drive more exciting. Finally, around 1 PM, I reached my destination, Dwarkamai.
At the temple
At last, I got down to the blessed land after 6 years. Happy, excited, thankful, blissful. I was confused as everything looked new this time. I never spent enough time at Shirdi, so I’m not familiar with the interior. The cab dropped me at the main gate. As with most famous pilgrimage sites, you will be surrounded by sellers, beggars, and brokers the moment you enter the premises. The exact same thing happened to me. It’s a different experience, and it’s amusing until it becomes irritating.
I bought some sacred threads and followed a broker to his shop. I bought prasad and kept it with them. You can keep it with them once you return after darshan. You can collect it. You won’t lose your prasad as the bag will have your name on it. They will use all marketing tactics possible to sell other products, but you need to keep calm and buy only what you need and at a negotiable price.
I then walked to the cloakroom area. To the left of the temple entrance, you will see two adjacent allotted spaces for keeping shoes, bags, and phones, respectively. They charge very nominally. They check ID proof and you need to fill up a form to keep your phone and bag. Don’t forget to collect the token.
Here, you need to note that when you enter the premises, many of them will tell you to keep shoes/slippers at their place and to keep bags at their place. You need to avoid them and look for the temple’s authoritative places. Not only at Shirdi, but any place you go, always look for the place nearest to the temple and the trusted one.
Darshan
After keeping my belongings safely, I walked to the security at the temple entrance. They check ID proof and the online booking details. You are allowed to carry only a water bottle and a wallet. You will be screened properly before entering the temple. Everything is organised and proper. Once all is done, you will be sent to have darshan.
Since I was fortunate enough to come during this time for darshan, there was a very small number of devotees, no rush at all.
I have no words to express my feelings at that time. I was chanting “Sai Nama” with gratification. I kept praying for everyone on my steps toward Samadhi Mandir. Though there was no rush, it still took 15-20 minutes to reach the Samadhi Mandir. You have to walk, then get stairs, and follow the directions to Samadhi Mandir. There are big screens showing Baba live from Samadhi Mandir. That’s exciting!
Finally, I reached Samadhi Mandir. I lost myself at the first glimpse of him. I stopped on my way for a while, thinking I had to have darshan from here. Then someone slowly guided me to take a route to go near his shrine. Inside, the temple is decorated with many lights and beautiful paintings and photographs. You will see the mosque too.
I reached near to the samadhi, prayed, and stood there for some time, as there was no crowd. You will never feel enough of him, but fortunately, I spent some blissful moments near his samadhi.
After coming out of the Samadhi Mandir, I went to the neem tree and collected “Vibhuti”. They give one per head and won’t give one more even if you request it. They make sure everyone gets ‘Vibhuti’. I then visited the Ganesha, Shiva, and Shani temples behind the temple, which I missed on my last visits.
I roamed around for some time. It was very sunny, but I did not feel like going out. I went to the other side, where you can have a side view of Baba from a small window opening. I made up my mind to go out as I had to catch a bus for Pune. I bought agarbatti, a diary and posters from the shops inside before leaving.
Winding up at Shirdi
After a heart-warming darshan, I moved out to collect my belongings. It was exactly 3:55, and the bus was at 4 PM. Unfortunately, when I contacted the bus person, he informed me that the bus had left 10 minutes earlier. I asked them to come to a halt wherever they were, but they refused. It was unexpected and poor service. Though it was a stressful situation for me, I chose to keep calm and plan next instead of panicking. I withdrew some cash and went to have lunch. I always prefer to order local cuisine, so I ordered dal-khichdi. The staff served hot and yummy dal khichdi and some pieces of advice, to take a government bus to Pune from the government bus stand, which is half a kilometre away. I tried contacting other private buses but decided to go by gov. bus as suggested by many people. Government buses are cheap and safe, and they take almost the same time as private buses.
I walked to Shirdi Bus Depot. Everything was written in Marathi. I went to a transwoman to seek help, and she was so kind to help. She took me to the right bus and helped me board the bus. After an hour of standing, I got a seat and reached Pimple Saudagar, Pune at 11 PM. Irrespective of the night curfew, I got Ola auto and reached my friend’s place safely. Pune city is welcoming and safe.
I hope to revisit Shirdi and experience something new. Om Sai Ram.