The trust is creating facilitites along the route to help the pilgrims rest and refresh themselves before continuing their journey.

These shelters, built at a cost of Rs 45 lakh each, will be equipped with a spacious hall, toilets and bathrooms and will be able to accommodate at least a 1000 people. The trust has chosen spots along the route which are already favoured by the pilgrims for staying overnight. Two such shelters are already under construction at Pandurli and Sinner which are expected to be inaugurated in March. 

Jayant Sasane, chairman of the Sai Sansthan Trust said, “We take pride in our devotees who undertake the padayatra and it is our duty to take care of them. It is for this we are creating the halting places with all basic necessities for the Sai devotees.” 

Traditionally, pilgrims on the padayatra – which took 8-10 days depending on the individuals and the organisors - spent the nights in some of the villages along the way. The villagers are said to be quite cooperative and welcome the pilgrims with food and shelter, though during winter and monsoon pilgrims face a lot of difficulties on the way. Last year saw a large number of youngsters walk up to the shrine, which incidentally, is the second richest in the country (the richest being the Tirupati Balaji temple). 

Source : Mumbai Mirror