Overall Rating: 3/5
There are a number of packages run by APTDC for Shirdi. This specific review pertains to the Sleeper Coach 3 day package, although much of points would be applicable for the other tours as well.
Bus Rating: 4/5
The Sleeper coach is nice and relatively well maintained. It is normal bus though from Veera though and not a Volvo or a Mercedes. The biggest glitch with the coach was it did not have any entertainment amenities like a personal LCD which several sleeper coaches have to offer.
Another important thing to note is that the bus has pick points from Ameerpet, KPHB(Ganesh Marbles) and somewhere in Miyapur as well although the APTDC website does not mention this. You can take the driver's contact number and coordinate the same.
On-Route Experience: 2/5
While going from HYD-Shirdi the Bus stops at Harita hotels for dinner which is a decent place when compared to what is normally available on the highway.
One of the biggest pains during the bus journey is finding a suitable place to attend to nature's call. The loo at Harita resort is by far the best one at which the bus will make a stopover.
The other place that it stops later and during the return journey leave a lot to be desired. Most of the other venues wereawfully dirty and some did not even have water available. Most of the APTDC buses from the other packages as well will make the stopver at the same venues.
On complaining the conductor says that these stop over points are designated by the APTDC management so he does not have much flexibility.
Another, minor irritant was these guys stopping the bus to pick unscheduled passengers if the bus happens to be empty. Creates some delay and undue noise.
Hotel: 2/5
They have a tie up with a hotel called Sai Ujjwal. What I will mention next is something very important in case you 4 or more members are traveling. Do not book your tickets together. If you do, you will get a single 4-bedroom room whereas the money that you end up paying does not reduce. Now this can create an awkward and unexpected situation. And if you request for two separate room the hotel guy will ask for extra money and does not entertain your request.
Instead make two separate booking of 2 people each. That way you will get multiple rooms. It avoids any awkward situations, saves money and time. Time as now you will have multiple bathroom which is the bottleneck in the race to get ready. The earlier you get ready the sooner you can get into the Q and save time therefore.
Darshan: 5/5
You will have to manage the darshan on you own and there are no tokens required. Avoid taking cellphones and bags etc. Although they did not stop people who were carrying these to our surprise but may be they start enforcing it if there is rush. You can deposit your footwear near the Entry Gate # 2.
The best part about the Darshan was, that the devotees are allowed inside the premises in batches. You will be made to sit on the floor and while the priest will perform all the rites and then the aarti. You can watch this directly or over the big LCD TV's placed in the halls. Subsequently you can seek the blessings from close quarters as you are made to leave the premises.
You can collect UDI( holy ash) from the counters outside. You can also visit the Museum where a number of Baba's personal belongings are kept.
The one's more religiously inclined should also visit the Dwarkamai Complex. This is the place where Baba used to stay and cook food.
Food: 4/5
You should be done with the darshan by 1:30 to 2 at max. You can have food at any of the nearby stalls and there is ample variety available and then headback to the hotel. The bus leaves sharp at 4:30pm for Hyderabad.
There are a number of packages run by APTDC for Shirdi. This specific review pertains to the Sleeper Coach 3 day package, although much of points would be applicable for the other tours as well.
Bus Rating: 4/5
The Sleeper coach is nice and relatively well maintained. It is normal bus though from Veera though and not a Volvo or a Mercedes. The biggest glitch with the coach was it did not have any entertainment amenities like a personal LCD which several sleeper coaches have to offer.
Another important thing to note is that the bus has pick points from Ameerpet, KPHB(Ganesh Marbles) and somewhere in Miyapur as well although the APTDC website does not mention this. You can take the driver's contact number and coordinate the same.
On-Route Experience: 2/5
While going from HYD-Shirdi the Bus stops at Harita hotels for dinner which is a decent place when compared to what is normally available on the highway.
One of the biggest pains during the bus journey is finding a suitable place to attend to nature's call. The loo at Harita resort is by far the best one at which the bus will make a stopover.
The other place that it stops later and during the return journey leave a lot to be desired. Most of the other venues wereawfully dirty and some did not even have water available. Most of the APTDC buses from the other packages as well will make the stopver at the same venues.
On complaining the conductor says that these stop over points are designated by the APTDC management so he does not have much flexibility.
Another, minor irritant was these guys stopping the bus to pick unscheduled passengers if the bus happens to be empty. Creates some delay and undue noise.
Hotel: 2/5
They have a tie up with a hotel called Sai Ujjwal. What I will mention next is something very important in case you 4 or more members are traveling. Do not book your tickets together. If you do, you will get a single 4-bedroom room whereas the money that you end up paying does not reduce. Now this can create an awkward and unexpected situation. And if you request for two separate room the hotel guy will ask for extra money and does not entertain your request.
Instead make two separate booking of 2 people each. That way you will get multiple rooms. It avoids any awkward situations, saves money and time. Time as now you will have multiple bathroom which is the bottleneck in the race to get ready. The earlier you get ready the sooner you can get into the Q and save time therefore.
Darshan: 5/5
You will have to manage the darshan on you own and there are no tokens required. Avoid taking cellphones and bags etc. Although they did not stop people who were carrying these to our surprise but may be they start enforcing it if there is rush. You can deposit your footwear near the Entry Gate # 2.
The best part about the Darshan was, that the devotees are allowed inside the premises in batches. You will be made to sit on the floor and while the priest will perform all the rites and then the aarti. You can watch this directly or over the big LCD TV's placed in the halls. Subsequently you can seek the blessings from close quarters as you are made to leave the premises.
You can collect UDI( holy ash) from the counters outside. You can also visit the Museum where a number of Baba's personal belongings are kept.
The one's more religiously inclined should also visit the Dwarkamai Complex. This is the place where Baba used to stay and cook food.
Food: 4/5
You should be done with the darshan by 1:30 to 2 at max. You can have food at any of the nearby stalls and there is ample variety available and then headback to the hotel. The bus leaves sharp at 4:30pm for Hyderabad.
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