The village of Sakori, about 5 km south of Shirdi, is home to the ashram of Upasni Maharaj, a disciple of Sai Baba who became a respected saint in his own right. The ashram is unusual among Indian religious sites in that it has been led by female spiritual leaders — kanyas, or virgin women dedicated to spiritual life — since Upasni Maharaj's death in 1941.
The ashram has a quieter, more contemplative atmosphere than the busy Shirdi complex, and the grounds contain several shrines and small temples. It is a meaningful extension of the Shirdi pilgrimage for those who want to understand the wider tradition Sai Baba represents. An auto-rickshaw from Shirdi takes about 15 minutes and costs very little.