The holy town of Shirdi, recently got its long-standing wish. The Central Railway has started a train from Mumbai (CST) to Shirdi (Sainagar) via Pune , with effect from March1, 2009. The daily train takes six hours from Pune to reach Shirdi.

 

The train (No 1333) leaves Mumbai (CST) at 10.55 pm. It reaches Kalyan at 11.50 pm and Pune at 4.10 am. It travels via Daund, Ahemadnagar, Belapur, Puntamba and reaches Shirdi at 10.30 am.

 

The Shirdi-Mumbai (No 1334) train departs from Shirdi at 4.40 pm and reaches Pune at 11.05 pm. It reaches Kalyan at 3 am and CST at 4.25 am. The fare from Pune is Rs 89 for second class and Rs 373 for III AC.

 

There is also good news for Goan devotees visiting Shirdi. A few days back, Goa chief minister, Digambar Kamat, promised a yatri niwas for Goan devotees in Shirdi.

 

Every year lakhs of devotees visit Shirdi. Though a majority of pilgrims stay in dharamshala managed by Shri Saibaba  Sansthan Trust, Shirdi, there are  a few good hotels in Shirdi to cater to the rush of devotees. With the recent developments devotees visiting Shirdi can look forward to a less arduous journey and a more pleasant stay.