Shirdi to Bhubaneswar 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 Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar is the temple city of India and deservedly so. The City is known for its grand temples and the beautiful architecture and attracts tourists and pilgrims from all over India. In fact, Bhubaneshwar literally translates to 'Lord of the Universe'. The City is an architectural marvel. Though the City is famous for its temples, there are other reasons for you to visit the City, too. Situated in Orissa, Bhubaneswar is also home to a lot of animals like deers and White Tigers. You'll also find Museums in the City that will showcase the arts, crafts and splendid artefacts.

The Lingaraj Temple is one of the most visited temples in the City. It is ancient and has a lot of religious importance. It sees a lot of devotees who come to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva throughout the year. The Parasurameswara temple, which was constructed in 650 AD, is unique because of the one thousand lingas present in the north-west corner of the complex. The Brahmeshwara temple is yet another marvel and a great example of the Oriya architecture, that was built in the 11th century. The Ananta Vasudev temple, built by Queen Chandrika, has Lord Krishna residing in it. The Vaishnavi sculptures will leave you impressed and are a treat to the eyes.

The Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts is a must-visit for anyone who stops to appreciate and admire art whenever they get the opportunity. You'll get to see a lot of traditional costumes, jewellery, weapons, gears and farming equipment at the museum. It will leave you in awe of the artists. The Kedar Gauri Temple, which is one of the eight Asthasambhu Temples, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri. The Mahashivratri celebrations across Bhubaneswar. You will feel overwhelmed to see the processions and be a part of the festivities.

Visit the Pathani Samantha Planetarium. It is named after the famous astronomer of the same name. Catch the audiovisual shows put up by the authorities. The City is also known for Khandagiri Caves, a series of artificial caves which dates back to the 2nd century. The caves are of great historical significance.

Don't miss visiting the Ramachandi beach, which is 65 km away from the City. It's a beautiful beach that sees the Bay of Bengal and River Kushabhadra converging. It's a sight to behold and one of the best places to take pictures at, too. The beach is accessible quite easily and is a popular location for young couples, tourists and students residing in the City.

Bhubaneswar experiences extreme summers but also intense rainfalls during monsoon. However, that does not stop people from venturing out, and the rains only add to the beauty of the City. October to February is the ideal time to visit the City since the city experiences winter during these months. While you are in Bhubaneswar, make sure you try the Machha Jholo, fish curry that is a speciality here. You must also try the Cuttack chaat, Badi Choora, Rasagola and the Abadha. The vegetarian food served in temples is also a treat to your taste buds. The list of things to do and places to see in Bhubaneswar is endless. Since Bhubaneswar is the capital of Orissa, it is well-connected to all the major cities. Biju Patnaik Airport is 5 km away from the City and is the nearest airport.

Best Time to Visit Bhubaneswar

The ideal time to visit the City is during winters which are from October to February. This is a peak season for tourists and is also ideal for sightseeing. The City experiences monsoon from June to September. Bhubaneswar experiences heavy rainfall, and it is not the most favourable time to visit the City. It will definitely put a damper on all of your outdoor plans. The summer starts from March and lasts till May. The scorching heat and the high humidity make it quite unbearable for you to venture out. This is also why you shouldn't visit Bhubaneswar during summer. The afternoons can get pretty harsh during summer.

Places to Visit in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar is known for its temples. The Lingaraj Temple is one of the most popularly visited temples, and devotees of Lord Shiva come to offer their prayers throughout the year. You can also visit the Parasurameswara and the Brahmeshwara temple. Not only will you feel at peace by offering your prayers, but you will also be in awe of the expert Oriya architecture. You can also visit the Ananta Vasudev temple that was built by Queen Chandrika to offer her prayers to her deity, Lord Krishna. The City has a religious significance and is also considered holy. Devotees always leave with a smile and a sense of relief on their faces after visiting the temples.

The City also plays host to a lot of museums like the Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts and the Orissa State Museum. You will know more about the City, its culture and ancient art. You will also come across a lot of untold stories during the construction of these marvels. The Nandankanan Zoological Park, established in 1960, is another place you must visit in the City. You will spot different species of tigers and other animals in the zoo. There are also a lot of wildlife sanctuaries that will appease the wildlife photographer in you. Take home all the memories of spotting exotic wildlife in these sanctuaries.

Don't miss visiting the Ramachandi Beach. The beach is quite unique since it sees the convergence of the Bay of Bengal and River Kushabhadra. It's only 7 km away from Konark and a top-rated destination among tourists, too. The City also has a lot of parks for you to visit with your family. Another location for you to take great pictures.

Things to do in the City in Bhubaneswar

Visit all the temples in the City, starting with the Lingaraj temple. Don't just offer your prayers and admire the striking architecture of the temples but also try to discover the stories inception of the temple and the religious importance of it. Find a priest or a knowledgeable person and get them to tell you the stories about the temple. You'll surely leave with a lot of information, things that you never knew before. While the rulers made some of the temples out of respect and devotion to their deities, some have mythological stories and incidents attached.

The City has a lot of historical importance and artistic significance, too. There are a lot of human-made marvels in this City. Visit the Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts that showcases the exquisite collections of 62 tribes of Odisha. Explore the culture of all of these tribes and the history of Orissa, too. You can also visit the Nandankanan Zoological Park, the Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary, the Ekamra Kanan and more sanctuaries to treat the animal lover in you.

Since it's the capital city, it's easier to find and book a hotel as per your budget and convenience. Make sure you find something closer to the tourist attractions so you won't have to spend more time travelling. While you visit the Ramachandi beach, you can sit there and admire the waves or read your favourite book. It's the perfect place to chill and embrace solitude. You won't regret visiting and holidaying in Bhubaneswar for sure.

Foods and Restaurants in Bhubaneswar

Apart from the local speciality, you will also find restaurants that serve other cuisines that you might crave for. Even though it is a city with a lot of temples, you will find certain places that serve non-vegetarian food. Do try the Machha Jholo if you are a fan of seafood. Do not leave without taking back home a pot of rasagolas. Since the City is usually always budding with tourists, finding a decent restaurant is not a tedious task. If you are craving for some South-Indian food, do stop by at Truptee Restaurant. It is famous for its variety of dosas and other South Indian snacks.

Tangerine 9 is yet another restaurant that serves mouth-watering food at reasonable prices. You can also give the Hare Krishna restaurant a try. It's a delight for vegetarians and worth every penny spent. Not just their food but even the special ghee that they serve will leave you impressed.

How to reach Bhubaneswar

By Air

The nearest airport is the Biju Patnaik International Airport and is also the only international airport in Orissa. It connects the City to all of the domestic routes and international routes as well. You can get fair flight deals online and cheap flight tickets, if you are lucky.

By Rail

The Bhubaneswar railway station is well-connected to all the major cities in the country. You will also find a taxi or a bus easily from outside the station to your hotel.

By Road

A lot of deluxe buses with AC coaches and government buses will be available from major cities and the nearby ones, too. You can also take a private cab or drive to Bhubaneswar.

  About Bhubneshwar Airport

Biju Patnaik International Airport also referred to as Bhubaneswar Airport, is the primary international airport that serves the city of Bhubaneswar which is the capital of the state Odisha. The airport is located about 4 km south-west of the Bhubaneswar Railway Station and 6 km away from the main city. The city's main airport has been named after the former chief minister of the state of Odisha, Biju Patnaik. He is a famed aviator as well as a freedom fighter. Biju Patnaik International Airport is the 15th busiest airport in the country. As for the Airports Authority of India's list of airports, Biju Patnaik International Airport falls on the 11th busiest which a registered 27.9 per cent growth in the passenger and air traffic.

The airport came into existence in 1962 and was dedicated to catering to the travel needs of the citizens of Odisha. It is the first commercial airport to be installed in the state. The airport caters to domestic and international carriers, activities of which are divided into two terminals. In 2013, the former minister of civil aviation, Ajit Singh, inaugurated the newly refurbished Terminal 1 to enhance the travelling experience of the domestic passengers. Terminal 2 was also upgraded to handle better international operations. It received international stature in 2013 and commenced operations to international destinations.

About Bhubaneswar Airport Terminal

Along with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Biju Patnaik International Airport is also recognised as a major civil aviation hub for Eastern India.

Terminal 1 - Terminal 1 was refurbished and inaugurated in 2013 to accommodate a passenger capacity of 4 million in a year. Lanco Infratech built it at the cost of INR 1.45 billion. The project upgradation was developed by the Airports Authority of India as part of their scheme to enhance 35 of their non-metro airports in India. Terminal 1 is equipped with two storeys and a total area of 18,240 square metres. The new terminal comprises of four aerobridges, several escalators, four elevators, 18 check-in counters, multiple seating and three arrival baggage conveyors. Terminal 1 also houses some lounges in the departure and arrival sections. There is a total of three VIP lounges also installed at the Biju Patnaik International Airport. The airport has been constructed keeping the green building standards on the check. There are sewage treatment plant and rainwater harvesting facilities located at the terminal. Reflecting the culture and tribal traditions of Odisha, the airport also has tribal paintings, sculptures, motif designs and several such artefacts.

Terminal 2 - Terminal 2 is reserved for international operations and was constructed in the mid-1960s. Originally, the terminal catered to domestic flight activities in the 1960s. However, with the addition of the new airport terminal building, the domestic operations were shifted. Biju Patnaik International Airport's terminal 2 comprises of six check-in counters, four customs counters, ten immigration counters, various facilities and a slew of seating area too.

Terminal 3 - Terminal 3 is a passenger terminal building that has been proposed by the airport's authority to expand its passenger handling to 8 million in a year. The terminal is set to spread across an area of 58,000 square metres for INR 9.3 billion. With this, Biju Patnaik International Airport's capacity would be increased from 3.5 million to 11.5 million. The positioning of the terminal started in 2019 with construction works to be completed in three years, as scheduled. Once completed, the terminal would be handling all domestic passenger activities with the existing 1 and 2 terminals catering to international flight activities.

About airport authority

Biju Patnaik International Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The government body was introduced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the Government of India and came into existence to cater to the infrastructural management and maintenance of civil aviation across the country. Overall, the airport's authority handles about 126 airports along with 11 international airports. Biju Patnaik International Airport also falls under the international airport list of the aviation body. The airport authority has brought forth several expansion, and upgradation plans to make Bhubaneswar Airport accessible and ideal for more airline activities. Much recently, they refurbished their terminals and have proposed for a new terminal that would cater to domestic operations. Meanwhile, the old two terminals would take care of international operations.

Following the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, Biju Patnaik International Airport's authority has announced that they would be changing their operations. Following the lifting of the lockdown, the airport plans to operate in a single shift that would only take place between 10 am to 6 pm. Overall, 16 flights with two flights per hour would be operated Special guidelines to avoid the abundant footfall of passengers will also be taken care of at the airport. They are handling limited cargo operations too.

Facilities at the Bhubaneswar Airport

ATMs – Biju Patnaik International Airport has installed four ATM kiosks at one spot that range from domestic to international banks. This makes it easier for international tourists to withdraw money without much hassle. It is available at the departure and the arrival sections of the terminal building.

WiFi – The airport also has WiFi facilities available. By using the local mobile number, the passengers can connect to the airport's WiFi network and avail the free services.

Child care rooms – To cater to parents travelling with infants, the airport has installed designed child care rooms. These rooms are well-equipped with baby products as well as comfortable chairs and changing tables. They also have some baby products such as powders and diapers, in case the parent has exhausted these products.

Lounge – An airport lounge is also present in the departure section where passengers with relevant passes can access. You can also make some payments and enter the comfortable lounge area. They provide great hospitality and good services.

Smoking lounge – As smoking is not allowed in public spaces, the airport has reserved special smoking zones for passengers. These spaces can be utilised, and even boxes of cigarettes can be purchased at the airport.

Medical services – With a view to dealing with medical emergencies, the airport has installed relevant services. There is a special team of doctors and medical professionals who are present at the airport to deal with emergency cases. Plus, there are pharmacies also present at the airport.

Baggage – The baggage services offered by Biju Patnaik International Airport are quite good. You can opt for wrapping services, porter services, conduct thorough security checks of bags and even use the trolleys.

Top airlines flying from the Bhubaneswar Airport

Currently, the airport has some of the top domestic airlines functioning from the premise. In fact, airlines that operate from Biju Patnaik International Airport include AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara. These flights from Biju Patnaik International Airport connect to major Indian cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Varanasi, Surat and Ranchi, to name a few. The airport also caters to one international airline, AirAsia, which connects to Kuala Lumpur. The services to the Malaysian capital has been suspended owing to the coronavirus pandemic. However, once things go back to normal, international flight services from the airport will be resumed.

How to reach Bhubaneswar Airport

By Bus

The city of Bhubaneswar has excellent bus facilities that are run by the state government. Called the MO Bus, the services have been rolled out by the Capital Region Urban Transport to connect Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri, in the state of Odisha. The service is known to be one of the most reliable ones in the city that has reduced the transportation challenges that one might have had to face earlier. The MO Bus also has a mobile app with provisions of the map of its routes, ticket booking options and schedules of the buses traversing within the city. The ticket fare is also quite cheap and affordable. You can easily pick a bus route from the MO Bus to reach Biju Patnaik International Airport. These buses are available in AC as well as Non-AC to add to the comfort of the passengers.

By Taxi and Ridesharing apps

The city has an abundance of taxi cab services available. You can easily hail a taxi cab from the city to reach Biju Patnaik International Airport. Besides, it is only 3 km away from the city centre, so travelling is usually not an issue. Depending on the traffic of the city and your location, the travel time might differ, but it will not exceed 15 minutes to reach Biju Patnaik International Airport. Besides, ridesharing apps can also be used within the city premise. You can book cabs on Ola and Uber to reach Bhubaneswar Airport. Normal taxi cabs can also be hailed in the city, but you will need to discuss the fare ahead of the journey. Usually, the cabs in the city-run at fixed prices so it is always safe to ask in advance about the fare and whether it is feasible.