Maharashtra - South India and Kerala - page 175

SAI BABA OF SHIRDI

His iconic status as a national guru is legendary. And his divinity, to some, is unquestionable. But Sai Baba, for
all his popularity, remains one of India's most enigmatic figures. No one knows where he came from, what his
real name was, or when he was born. Having stepped out of an obscure childhood, he first appeared in the town
of Shirdi near Nasik around the age of 16 (in the mid-1800s). There, he advocated religious tolerance, which he
practised by sleeping alternately in a mosque and a Hindu temple as well as praying in them both. The masses
took to him right away, and by the time Sai Baba died in 1918, the many miracles attributed to him had seen him
gather a large following. Today, his temple complex in Shirdi draws an average of 40,000 pilgrims a day. Interest-
ingly, in Andhra Pradesh, another widely respected holy man Sathya Sai Baba (1926-2011) claimed to be the re-
incarnation of the original Sai Baba.

Sleeping & Eating

Hotel Abhishek
MAP GOOGLE MAP
( 2514201; www.hotelabhishek.com ; Panchavati Karanja; s/d ?335/455, with AC ?728/775; ) Found just off
the Panchavati Karanja roundabout, this pleasant budget option packs hot showers, TV
and appetising vegetarian food into its spotless, value-for-money rooms. A few minutes'
walk uphill from the Godavari River, it sits amid all the spiritual comings and goings, and
is therefore a vantage point for familiarising oneself with the colour and ritual of sacred
India.

HOTEL $

Panchavati
MAP GOOGLE MAP
( www.panchavatihotels.com ; 430 Chandak Wadi, Vakil Wadi Rd) To save yourself the hassle of scouting
for a comfy bed in town, head straight for this excellent complex, comprising four hotels
(and a few popular restaurants) that cover every pocket from budget to top-end, and deliv-
er each rupee's worth. Kicking off at the cheaper end is Panchavati Guest House ( 2578771; s/d
from ?550/650) , which has slightly cramped rooms and prompt service. A more inviting op-
tion is Panchavati Yatri ( 2578782; s/d from ?1530/1760; ) , featuring top-notch rooms with hot
showers, spot-on service, and an in-house health club. Hotel Panchavati MAP GOOGLE MAP (
2575771; s/d from ?2000/2410; ) , fronting the complex, is pricier with classy rooms; it caters
largely to business travellers. Last of all is the Panchavati Millionaire ( 2312318; s/d ?2350/2950;
) , a sumptuous affair where lavish rooms are complemented by cosy breakfast nooks
that are perfect for a steaming morning cuppa.

HOTEL $$