Shirdi to Bagdogra Flights

  About Shirdi

Shirdi is one of the famous holy cities in Maharashtra and the most-visited too. The pilgrimage site is known to be the abode to spiritual leader Sai Baba and is located in the Ahmednagar district of the state. The saint is revered and honoured tremendously by many of his devotees. The stories of miracles brought forth by Shirdi Sai Baba has brought about a legacy that many devotees believe in. The temple sees an abundance of devotees paying a visit to seek blessings all through the year. Due to the site's popularity, the town's heads constructed an airport to make flight connectivity to Shirdi from other cities in India.

Best time to visit Shirdi

Shirdi is snuggled up in a pleasant location in the Ahmednagar district, giving it a favourable climate. The best time for tourists to pay Shirdi a visit is during monsoon and winter. The months from June through February are practically perfect for visiting Baba and seeking his blessings. Monsoons bring about a certain charm to the wilderness that surrounds the city while winter only adds to pleasant temperatures. Summers in Shirdi is hot and humid, which could be unfavourable for many.

Places to visit in Shirdi

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

Shirdi's fame comes from its guru Shirdi Sai Baba's temple. He is considered to be one of the greatest saints and has many devotees who believe in his powers. The temple sees a strong footfall with over 30000 devotees visiting to seek blessings of Baba. This number is not restricted to weekends but weekdays too. The temple is always crowded with devotees who worship the saint and believe in his miracles. It is also believed that the holy town of Shirdi is able to continue extensive development thanks to the money donated by devotees.

Sai Teerth Theme Park

Sai Teerth theme park is a spiritual theme park that the city has built to expand its tourist attractions further. It is commemorated as the first religious theme park to have been constructed in India. The park basically takes the devotees through a virtual tour of Sai Baba's life and times. There are 5D shows too that take place in the vicinity where his stories are projected. In fact, an artificial Dwarkamai has also been set up within the premise along with a train ride. It is a visual treat to the devotees and an entertaining, educational tour for the kids. The complex also has restaurants within the park premise.

Gurusthan

The Gurusthan holds a lot of spiritual significance for being the seat of the guru. The place found prominence as it is believed to be the seat where Sai Baba first made his appearance in the world. Baba sat under a neem tree which has now been converted into a shrine. The surrounding of the neem tree has been constructed with marble tiles, and an elevated structure has been created. It also has a small temple with Baba's photo on it.

Sai Heritage Village

With a view to celebrating the life of Shirdi Sai Baba, the city has constructed a heritage village which plays as a theme park for Baba's devotees. The heritage basically brings forth some of the tales of Shirdi Sai Baba with mannequins and sculptures. The place is a good tourist attraction not just for devotees but also for visitors who are not well-versed with the works of the spiritual leader.

Shani Shingnapur

Shani Shingnapur is another important temple to visit in Shirdi. Dedicated to Lord Shani, the temple is nothing like the traditional ones with walls and chambers within which the shrine is placed. In fact, the locals believe that Lord Shani resides in black stone and protects his devotees. An interesting titbit about Shani Shingnapur is how the villagers trust the lord's power so much that they don't have locks for doors at their houses.

Things to do in Shirdi

Wet N Joy Water Park

After all the pilgrimage, it would be quite nice to enjoy some time with family. And what better place than going to unwind at the Wet N Joy park? The water amusement park is one of the major tourist attractions in Shirdi as it caters to the families who don't just come for pilgrimage but also a mini vacation.

Jangli Maharaj Ashram

Aside from being an educational and residential school, the Jangli Maharaj Ashram also organises yoga and meditations. The institute is founded by guru Om Gurudev, a spiritual leader. Barely 7 km from the city centre, you can easily cover this area and return with a tranquil state of mind.

Food and restaurant

As a pilgrimage, Shirdi caters to the idea of selflessness and wholesomeness. This comes with the food that is prepared in the temple premise. After seeking blessings and visiting Baba's shrine, individuals have the option to dine at the temple premise in the Prasadalaya hall. The structure is acquired to accommodate devotees who would like to eat temple food. There is a line that needs to be maintained while the temple feeds all the devotees who have come to visit Baba. Much of the meals prepared in the temple are sourced from local harvesters and farmers. Not only does this help them eliminate the concerns of selling their crops but also gives the temple fresh stock. The meals are served free-of-cost and are abundantly flavourful. Since the food at the temple is exquisite, often people don't eat outside but, in the temple's, own eating space, Prasadalaya. The place is packed from morning to evening as the temple does witness a good footfall.

While a majority of crowd prefer food served in the temple as it is considered to be holy, there are diverse restaurants in the city that could be refreshing to your taste buds. The temple vicinity itself has several food joints and restaurants that you can explore. Places such as Sai Naivedyam, Blue Coriander restaurant, Mukta Food Court and Rajdhani restaurant are some of the places you can eat at, if not the temple. These places specialise in lip-smacking Maharashtrian, Gujarati, North Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine. In fact, some of them also have a buffet setting exclusively for breakfast. In fact, you should also check out some of the street food that is available in the city. From street pizza to sandwiches, noodles and oodles of junk food would be a good way to unwind after a pilgrimage. For those who have never tried vada pavs or pav bhaji and chaat, this could be your opportunity. These street food options define Maharashtra in a way and should be tried out.

How to reach Shirdi (Transportation)

By Air

Shirdi airport recently started functioning and has already become the fourth busiest airports after Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune, in the state of Maharashtra. The flight connectivity from Shirdi to other big cities in India is remarkable. The airport connects Shirdi to cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Indore and Hyderabad. Although the airport has only one runway, it seems to be managed really well with regular flights flying in and out of Shirdi. Alliance Air, SpiceJet and IndiGo operate from Shirdi and have regular flights to major cities from here. The closest international airport would be the Pune International Airport. However, with Mumbai's connectivity to international routes, the second option is favoured. Shirdi Airport is about 14 km away from the temple town's main city area. Due to excessive demands, the city's airport witnesses great footfall of passengers travelling from around the world. The holy city's airport has great transport in the city centre with taxi cabs available right outside the airport. You can easily book your hotels in Shirdi city as the accommodations are also decent.

By Rail

Sainagar Shirdi railway station is considered to be the best way to reach the holy city as the location is prime and perfect. It is only 3 km away from the Shirdi Temple, which makes travelling convenient for pilgrims. Several domestic routes to Shirdi via railways are available. Cities such as Mumbai, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Pune, Bangalore, Aurangabad, Chandigarh, etc. have regular trains connected with Shirdi. Over the years, the holy temple has seen tremendous development as it has even been revered as a smart city. From the station, there are multitudes of transport options to choose from to reach the temple.

By Road

The road connectivity of Shirdi with other cities is excellent. Various cities in Maharashtra such as Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik, Nagpur, Aurangabad, etc., have bus services to Shirdi. In fact, the city also sees roadways connecting with Bangalore. However, the travel time would be tedious by road. If you plan to reach Shirdi, then you should pick either of the cities mentioned that have direct buses to the holy town. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation services these buses. A four-lane state highway is also being constructed to enhance Shirdi's connectivity further. The highway would certainly make road trips to Shirdi less time-consuming via road. The buses have their last stops in the main city area, so reaching the hotel rooms you have booked in Shirdi wouldn't be cumbersome.

  About Bagdogra

North-East India and the Himalayas are a trendy tourist destination in India, for all the right reasons. Bagdogra is a hill station near the foothills of Himalayas and in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Bagdogra is considered as the gateway to the North-East and the Himalayas. This small hill station is so beautiful; you'll love being here even if it is for a couple of hours. It's the perfect place for all you nature lovers out there. You can either laze around and admire the scenery or take a walk around the town to explore it.

The hill station is a perfect holiday spot. It's also like paradise for tea lovers since tea gardens surround it. River Teesta also flows through the town, which makes it the ideal place to indulge in river rafting. Or you can sit by the river and embrace solitude for a while. You pass through Bagdogra to get to Darjeeling, Sikkim, Siliguri and Bhutan. Bagdogra will make you fall in love with it. Apart from sightseeing and river rafting, there are quite a few activities that you can opt for in Bagdogra. It's not the most popular vacation destination, but you will surely not regret spending time in this town.

Bagdogra is connected to all major cities in the country. It is pretty easy to reach Bagdogra by flights, trains and road, too. The Bagdogra Airport connects to domestic routes from Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Guwahati. You can also quickly get a bus or taxi from the neighbouring cities to Bagdogra.

Make sure you do add Bagdogra to your itinerary when you plan a trip to the North-East. You will love this small town for its lush green surroundings and the beautiful weather. The people, too, are quite friendly and helpful. Even though there is very little that you can do in Bagdogra, it is worth stopping by. If you have a long layover at Bagdogra airport, you can make the most of it by going sightseeing somewhere near the airport. Since it is a small town, you won't have to worry about making it back on time for your flight. But if you are going to Darjeeling, Bhutan or Shillong and the town falls on your way, make sure that you do visit this town.

Best Time to Visit Bagdogra

July to February is the best time to visit Bagdogra. While the hill station witnesses monsoon from July to October, the winter sets in from November to February. This is the ideal time for you to witness the beautiful, scenic hill station. The temperature can fall to as low as 5 degree Celsius. You can see the snowy mountains that surround the town and be mesmerized by the beauty of it. The summer is also quite pleasant in the City, and the maximum temperature touches 38 degree Celsius.

Places to Visit in Bagdogra

Check out the Coronation Bridge that is 37 km from Bagdogra. It is on the way to Gangtok from Bagdogra, and the view is just beautiful. The Surya Sen Park in Siliguri, which is close to Bagdogra, is a bright picnic spot. The park sees quite a few families on vacation spending quality time with each other while enjoying the view. Madhuban Park, which is 24 km ahead of Bagdogra in Siliguri, was established by the Indian Army. This is yet another picnic spot that tourists love. You'll even spot deers, peacocks and rabbits in the park, along with butterflies.

The Umrao Singh Boat Club in Siliguri has a lot of activities in store for you, including boating. They have a huge variety and different shapes of boats for tourists. You can get in touch with your spiritual side at the ISKCON temple in Siliguri and at Kali Mandir in Binnaguri which is also quite close to River Teesta. You can visit the temple and combine it with river rafting at the river. You can also visit Salugara Monastery while you are here.

Bagdogra has no hotels since it's only a pitstop to get to the other neighbouring cities and Bhutan. You can, however, book a hotel room in Siliguri or Darjeeling or any of the nearby towns. The bus services to Bagdogra are widespread, so you won't have to worry about travelling to and from the City.

Things to do in Bagdogra

Bagdogra is the gateway to reaching Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan and everything North-East. You can take a cab or a bus to visit Siliguri, which is the nearest City to this hill station. If you have a couple of hours left to catch another flight, you can get around the town in less time. Since Bagdogra is just a pitstop, you will find fewer tourist things to do, but the hill station is entirely worth it. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bagdogra has the most beautiful view of the snow-capped mountains that surround it.

If you do have time on your hands, make sure you go river rafting at River Teesta. Or you can admire the river and meditate by the river for a while. You can also visit the Coronation Bridge that is quite close to the river stream. Whether you are with your friends or family, be assured that you will have a great time here. You can also visit the Salugara Monastery and the Kali Mandir to offer your prayers and to enjoy your solitude.

Even if you don't feel like indulging in any activities, grab your favourite book and get engrossed in the stories amid the best of what nature has to offer to you. You can also put on your headphones, play your favourite music and get lost in the tranquillity of the hill station. If you are on a solo trip, you will love spending time here in Bagdogra, even if it is for a little while. Bagdogra is quite accessible to most cities in the North-East, and travelling will not prove to be troublesome for you.

Food and Restaurants in Bagdogra

If you are travelling via plane, you have to try the restaurant that is inside the Bagdogra airport. It is run by the Bagdogra Airport Restaurant Workers Co-operative Society Ltd, and it serves a unique dish that grabbed headlines for all the right reasons. The airport serves you chicken cutlets that are made in Bagdogra style and are a one-of-its-kind dish. All foodies must try this out at least once. The restaurant can seat up to 150 people, and you'll be treated to a runway view as you finish your meal. It won't even burn a hole in your pocket.

Marina's Motel is one of the best restaurants near the airport if you are craving for Chinese or Continental cuisines. The staff is quite friendly, and the restaurant has a very cosy ambience. Bagdogra also has a solution to your biryani cravings. Naz Biryani House is known for serving and cooking the most delicious biryani, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. For a quick bite, you can head over to Hunger Stop restaurant near the airport. You can even try the dessert here.

The Gourmet Central Family Restaurant and Bar is approximately 11 km away from the airport. It has a charming decor with cosy seating and friendly staff. It is also one of the best restaurants in the town. Do make sure that you try the food at the airport restaurant though. You can also opt for street food or the local chai, which will be available quite easily. Don't hesitate to try out the local street food, too.

How to reach Bagdogra (Transportation)

By Air

The Bagdogra Airport is well-connected to major domestic routes from Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore and Chennai. The flight connectivity is quite functional, and getting to Bagdogra is not very difficult. You can get pretty good flight deals online and cheap flight tickets, too.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is in Siliguri, which is 5 km away from Bagdogra. There are no direct trains or buses to Bagdogra, and you will have to change a taxi or bus from Siliguri to reach the hill station.

By Road

There are lots of transport options and services are available to reach the town. You can opt for whichever suits your convenience. The transport is quite affordable, too. The roads are also quite smooth and won't be uncomfortable for you. You will also find a lot of convenient options to go to other neighbouring cities of the North-East and the Himalayas. Travelling by road is also one of the best options. The journey will surely be a treat for the eyes and the soul.