Shirdi to Jharsuguda 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 Jharsuguda

Located in the northern side of Odisha is the city of Jharsuguda. The place is famous for its metallurgical contribution. It is recognised as an industrial hub and has good connectivity with other metropolitan cities. The city recently inaugurated the Jharsuguda Airport and renamed it as Veer Surendra Sai Airport. Jharsuguda does not have a lot of tourist attractions but thanks to its industrial relevance, manages to attract industrialists.

Best time to visit Jharsuguda

Jharsuguda's geographical features give it mild summers and winters in comparison to the rest of Indian cities. Despite being located in the far northwest of the state of Odisha, the city witnesses decent and mild temperatures. The months from October to March are considered to be the best time to visit the city. Jharsuguda actually enjoys mild temperatures without much humidity during these months. During winters, the city actually sees a temperature that drops to 13 degree Celsius in the night. The days during summer are quite clear and sunny. It is not hot as the maximum the temperature rises to is 27 degree Celsius during winter months. Hence, travelling within the city or to engage in tourist activities become easy. The city does witness a good footfall of tourists during this season. It is considered to be the peak season for Jharsuguda. In fact, December and January are actually peak winter months and will see the maximum drop in temperatures. The hotel prices do see a surge during this time as the demand rises. You will find some decent establishments in the city, and the hotel prices are still decent, even after the hike.

The summers in Jharsuguda are not very favourable for travelling or tourism. The temperatures skyrocket just as much as they drop. The hot weather is accompanied by humidity too, which only makes the weather extremely unpleasant. April and May see peak summers with temperatures going as high as 41 degree Celsius. Interestingly though, while the day temperatures see a hike, the night temperatures see a tremendous drop. In fact, April and May months actually see night temperatures going down to 10 degree Celsius sometimes. The extreme temperatures often make it difficult for tourists. The monsoon kicks in from July and stays till September, sometimes even October. You will need to pack your bags as per the seasons and their varied temperatures. If monsoon is what you are rooting for then an umbrella and rainy boots would be ideal. Not to mention how you should pack light clothes with winter jackets to deal with summers in Jharsuguda. The place doesn't see excessive tourism during the summers, and the hotel prices in Jharsuguda are also cheap during the summers.

Places to visit in Jharsuguda

Jharsuguda is a growing industrial hub to Odisha. Hence, much of the city has tremendous industrial locations and complexes. This leaves room for less tourist attraction. It is not the ideal place for vacation. However, for those who do live close by or have a free weekend from their professional commitments, then they can indulge in some of the activities and places to visit around the city. Since many folks often flock over for business and work-related commitments, spending quality time to break away from the professional responsibilities, they can start with checking out the Bikramkhol cave. The Bikramkhol caves are known to be archaeological sites. There are actually interesting inscriptions on the cave's walls that have been done by the tribal of the area. You can also visit the Chandi Mandir, which is located close to the city of Jharsuguda. The temple has the Ib River flowing in the backdrop which adds to the beauty of the place. While you are here, you can also check out the Jhhadeswar Temple, which is in proximity to the city. Another famous tourist attraction in Jharsuguda is the Vedanta Meadows Park. The lovely park is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and is refreshing. It is definitely unmissable and perfect for hanging out, especially with family.

Things to do in Jharsuguda

There are not many things that can be done in Jharsuguda. As an industrial hub, the place doesn't have enough recreational spaces where one can unwind. However, you can always choose to trek up the Bikramkhol caves. You actually have to walk up the stairs to reach the caves. The scenic trail makes for some lovely photographs that you can indulge in as you go up the caves. Also, close to the ChandiMandir is the Koilighugar Waterfall. The waterfall is a major tourist attraction as many devotees who visit the temple, take some time to enjoy the view and the waterfall. Close to the city, you will also find Gudguda waterfalls.

Food and Restaurants in Jharsuguda

Odisha's tribal culture is reflected in their cuisine. You will find some really simple yet sublime dishes that are quite appetising. In fact, Jharsuguda has many restaurants and food establishments that express the cultural heritage of the state. Do not be surprised if you are served food on sal leaf as it is a tradition followed by the locals. Much like how the South Indians serve food on a banana leaf, the Odisha culture has them serve food on a sal leaf. The food is perfect for those who are looking to have healthy and down-to-earth food. As a small town, Jharsuguda does not have extensive establishments. In fact, it would be tough for you to find the globally recognised fast food joints such as KFC, McDonald's and Burger King. However, the small and quaint restaurants have good food. The rich cuisine of Odisha can be tasted at these establishments with meals ranging from their classic pakhala bhata to pilaf. When you do visit Jharsuguda, you should definitely not miss their famous curry, Santula. The dish is basically made from raw papaya, drumsticks, brinjal and tomato with light spices.

You should also not miss potala alu rasa, one of the most famous Odisha delicacies. The dish is basically flavoured potato mixed with pointed gourd and cooked perfectly. Other dishes that you cannot miss include gupchup, which is basically puchka of the east, pani puri of the west and gol gappa of the north. For the ones with a sweet tooth, you should indulge in chhena poda, rasabali, and pitha to give your taste buds a tour of the state. These dishes are quite tasty. You can visit Chick Blast to get the best fried chicken and other dishes pertaining to the meat. Mayank Restaurant and Fast Food is also recognised in the city for the lovely spread of food and dishes from around the country. Pramod Hotel and Yog - Sheela are both touted to be the best restaurants in the city. They serve a plethora of cuisines that don't limit to just the Odisha cuisine. You should also visit GOCOOL for the classic sandwiches and other fast food that is recognised around India. The Food Court also does the deed. In fact, you can find salads too here.

How to reach Jharsuguda (Transportation)

By Air

The flight connectivity to Jharsuguda is decent. Over the years, the connectivity has improved as the city is turning into a thriving industrial hub for Odisha. The Jharsuguda Airport or Veer Surendra Sai Airport was used for various political and military reasons. In fact, the airfield catered to the RAF (Royal Air Force) during the British Raj as well as other Allied Forces amid the Second World War. Freedom Fighters, including Subhash Chandra Bose, also contributed to the battle. Much recently, the airport gained prominence again as it was elected to be the second commercial airport after Bhubaneshwar's Biju Patnaik International Airport in the state of Odisha. SpiceJet is the only airline that has dedicated flights flying to Jharsuguda. The flight tickets to Jharsuguda are actually quite expensive compared to the other cities in India. The most popular route to reach Jharsuguda is from Hyderabad and Delhi. These two cities are the only ones who have domestic routes connected to Jharsuguda by air. Hence, layovers also take place in Jharsuguda.

By Rail

There are quite a handful of trains to Jharsuguda. The Jharsuguda Junction is quite famous and has good connectivity with the other major Indian cities. As long as you make prior bookings of your tickets to Jharsuguda, you will be able to secure a seat and also get it for cheap. Since there are not an extensive number of trains dedicated to Jharsuguda, it is tough to reserve a seat. You can make online bookings of tickets to Jharsuguda. In the state though, Jharsuguda is an important junction with many outstation trains passing and even stopping at the station.

By Road

Road is considered to be a viable mode of transport to reach Jharsuguda. Many people often pick the domestic route from Bhubaneshwar to reach Jharsuguda. You can book for rentals at the airport or even the train station as many such services are available. There are buses that go to Jharsuguda from Bhubaneswar too as well as other neighbouring cities. Hence, the bus has always been an economically viable option to many.