Shirdi

Shirdi is among India's most visited pilgrimage towns, its economy and identity built almost entirely around the Sai Baba Temple, dedicated to the revered saint whose teachings of religious harmony drew Hindu and Muslim devotees alike during his lifetime and continue to do so today. The Samadhi Mandir, housing Sai Baba's tomb, is the focal point for the millions of pilgrims who visit annually, with the town's infrastructure almost entirely oriented around accommodating this continuous flow of devotees.

Unlike many of Maharashtra's heritage destinations, Shirdi offers little beyond its central devotional purpose, but the sheer scale and intensity of pilgrim activity — queues, rituals, and a genuinely diverse cross-section of devotees from across India and abroad — make it a significant destination for understanding contemporary Indian devotional practice.

Sai Baba lived and taught in Shirdi until his death in 1918, and the pilgrimage tradition centred on his samadhi (tomb) here has grown steadily since, making the small town one of the most visited religious sites in India today.

Shirdi has its own airport with limited connections; the nearest major railhead is at Kopargaon, about 15km away.