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People in India await the arrival of Diwali festival with eagerness as it a time when they can indulge in great festivities and delicious feasts. Some prefer to call it Deepavali, which means 'row of lamps' in Sanskrit. It usually falls in the month of November and it is celebrated by lighting lamps and bursting crackers. Rituals observed during this festival vary in case of different states. People belonging to various communities and religions have their own reason for celebrating this festival. For Hindus, this day marks the return of Lord Rama after spending 14 years in exile. Jain people celebrate Diwali as a day when Mahavira attained enlightenment in the year 527 B.C. Devotees and residents celebrate Diwali festival in Shirdi with great enthusiasm and festivities usually start with Dhanteras. It goes on for five days during which, pujas are performed in the honour of different deities. Preparations for welcoming Diwali start much before the actual day of this festival. Houses are cleaned, sweets are prepared in homes and they are distributed among dear ones. This is also a great occasion for people to give away gifts to their close friends and relatives. Temple of Sai Baba in Shirdi also witnesses Diwali festivities with various offerings and rituals being held on this occasion. Shri Sai Baba is a revered saint who lived in this region during the late 19th and early 20th century. He is believed to have performed several miracles in his lifetime which won him huge number of followers. A popular legend mentions an event when Sai Baba asked shopkeepers to give him oil for lighting lamps. When they refused to give him oil, he lit all the lamps with water and left everyone amazed with this miracle. Thousands of devotees gather at Lendi Garden and Dwarkamayi to light oil lamps or candles in remembrance of this event. For quite a long time, devotees were allowed to light oil lamps inside Dwarkamayi. But, this custom has been discontinued due to risks posed by oil spilling from lamps. Despite this prohibition, the spirit of numerous devotees has not dampened and they still celebrate Diwali festival in Shirdi temple premises with great fervour. They understand that lighting lamps outside Dwarkamayi or Lendi Garden is not different from lighting them inside it as the holy saint is omnipresent. Danger of chaos resulting from devotees getting desperate to light lamps inside Dwarkamayi is also a reason behind discontinuation of the former tradition. On the occasion of Diwali, many people visit Shirdi for offering prayers at Sai Baba temple. Travellers also include international tourists who are curious to know more about Sai Baba and to witness celebration of Diwali festival in Shirdi temple complex. This huge influx of devotees and tourists has increased the demand for quality accommodations over a period of time. Fortunately there are many hotels, resorts and lodges in Shirdi that offer a comfortable stay for these travellers. Luxurious accommodations having modern facilities are also offered at reasonable rates by some of the hotels in Shirdi. Being well-connected to many cities, this region can be reached without any hassles. Construction of an airport in Shirdi is in progress and upon completion, would enable all individuals travelling by air to reach Shirdi conveniently. But existing rail and road connectivity satisfies overall travel requirements aof individuals wanting to visit this region. Are you planning to celebrate diwali in Shirdi this year? If yes, you better book your hotel in Shirdi prior arrival because huge number of Sai devotes are expected to celebrate diwali festival in Shirdi.
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