Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is one of India’s most prestigious and revered institutions. The Shirdi Sai Temple timings are from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. Devotees can do Shirdi darshan and book accommodation online at Shirdi Samsthan Trust.
It is dedicated to the life and teachings of Sri Saibaba, a saint or fakir revered by all religious communities in India. The Sai Temple is located in a small town called Shirdi in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.
Shirdi Sai Temple:
Contents
- 1 Shirdi Sai Temple:
- 1.1 Festivals Celebrated at the Sai Baba Temple:
- 1.2 What is the cost of Shirdi darshan?
- 1.3 What is Sai Baba’s lucky number?
- 1.4 How long is free Darshan in Shirdi?
- 1.5 Which is the best month to visit Shirdi?
- 1.6 Which day is special for Sai Baba?
- 1.7 Can I take a mobile inside Shirdi temple?
Sai Baba believed that charity was the ultimate way to receive the grace of God. He lived an everyday life and encouraged the feeling of sharing with people.
He stressed that people should be respected and welcomed in their homes. Devotees had asked to generously give the poor rice, water, clothes, money and space to stay.
The biography and philosophy of Sri Sai Baba were recorded in Sai History. Sri Hemadpant, a great devotee of Baba, wrote this manuscript. Sai Baba himself is said to have blessed the book and wants his teachings to spread through the medium of books.
Sri Saibaba Sansthan in Shirdi is the governing and administrative body of Sri Saibaba Samadhi Temple and all the temples on the premises. Saibaba Sansthan Trust also works to develop Shirdi village in general.
History of Saibaba Temple:
According to history, Saibaba Temple was established in 1922 to continue the teachings and services of Sri Sai Baba. Sai Baba’s real name and birthplace are unknown.
He reached Shirdi at the age of sixteen. After he came to Shirdi, he was named “Sai” by a local priest named Mahalsapati.
Recognizing Sai Baba as a Muslim monk, he greeted ‘Ya Sai!’ Which means ‘Welcome, Sai!’. Sai or Sai is the Persian title given to Sufi saints.
“Baba” is known as “Father, Grandfather, Old man; in most Indian and Middle Eastern languages, sir “. Thus, Sai Baba was referred to as “Holy Father”, “Saint Father”, or “Poor Old Man”.
Sai Baba’s followers believe that Sai is an acronym for the Sanskrit word “Sakshat Ishwar“, which refers to God. Sakshat means “incarnation“, and Ishwar means “God“.
He initially stayed under the neem tree at the Khandoba temple. Sai Baba was calm for a long time and meditated. He received many visitors like Mahalsapati and Appa Jogi.
Sai stayed in Shirdi for three years and disappeared. He is believed to have been with the army of Queen Lakshmibai of Jhansi during the 1857 uprising.
Sai Baba is believed to have returned to Shirdi in 1858. He withdrew from the practice, and he meditated for many hours.
He was later persuaded to reside in the old mosque, where he lived solitary. Sai received visitors to the mosque, later named Dwarakamai and gave them holy ashes, which had healing properties when they left. Hakeem served the village.
Festivals Celebrated at the Sai Baba Temple:
Festivals at Sai Baba Temple:
The festival is celebrated at the Saibaba Temple in March or April. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
According to one account, Gopalrao Gund proposed to organize Urus (a Muslim festival honouring a saint) in 1897 in gratitude to Sai Baba for fulfilling his child’s wish many years later. Sai Baba agreed but decided to celebrate Ramanavami.
As a result, on this day, Hindus and Muslims enthusiastically celebrate the festival, resulting in religious harmony. Devotees will replace Dwarakamai flags with brown sacks, which will be kept there that day.
Guru Pournima:
On the full moon day of July, Guru Purnima celebrated with great devotion in Shirdi. This day was dedicated to the Guru, and special pujas were performed to honour him and his blessings. Vyasa Puja was held in honour of the Vedic Vyasa who wrote Mahabharata.
Vijayadasami:
Vijayadasami is also the day Sai Baba gave up his mortal life for his heavenly abode. This day is also known as Sri Sai Punyatithi.
A ‘Brahman meal’ is arranged during this festival with Guru Dakshina (donation to the Guru). Pilgrims from all over India come to Shirdi to visit Sri Sai Baba.
Shirdi Sai Temple Timings:
Below are the Shirdi Sai Temple timings.
| Day | Timings |
| Monday | 6 am – 9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am – 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am – 9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am – 9:30 pm |
| Friday | 6 am – 9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am – 9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am – 9:30 pm |
Sai Baba Rituals Timings:
| Rituals | Timings |
| Temple Opens | 4:00 a.m. |
| Bhupali | 4:15 a.m. |
| Kakad Aarti | 4:30 a.m. |
| Bhajan | 5:00 a.m. |
| Mangal Snaan | 5:05 a.m. |
| Aarti | 5:30 a.m. |
| Darshan | 5:40 a.m. |
| Dhuni Pooja | 11:00 a.m. |
| Midday Aarti | Noon. |
| Pothi | 4:00 p.m. |
| Dhoop Aarti | At Sunset |
| Devotional Songs | 8:00 p.m. |
| Shej Aarti | 10:30 p.m. |
| Temple Closes | 11:00 p.m. |
Poojas at the Temple:
- Sai Satya Vrata Pooja
- Sai Satcharitra Parayan
- Bhupali
- Kakad Aarti
- Mangal Snaan
- Satyanarayana Pooja
- Madhyan Aarti:
- Dhoop Aarti
- Shej Aarti
Tourist Places Near Sai Temple:
- Khandoba Temple
- Gurusthan
- Samadhi Mandir
- Dwarkamai
- Chavadi
- The Lendi Gardens
- Shani Shinganapur Temple
- Maruti Mandir
- Jain Temples
- Mahalaxmi Temple
Shirdi online Darshan Booking and Room Booking:
- For online booking, please visit their official Website.
- For Room booking, please visit their official Website.
Where to stay in Shirdi:
Accommodation is available at nominal prices. Shirdi Samsthan Trust Reception Centre near the State Transport Bus Stand guides the arriving devotees and allocates rooms. Locker facilities are also available to store luggage.
There are three main accommodation options available:
Sai Ashram, Dwaravati and New Bhakta Niwas. Air-conditioned rooms, large standard rooms, and dormitories are available.
People can book accommodation online by visiting the temple’s official Website. Many privately operated hotels and lodges are also available for accommodation purposes.
Hotels Nearby Sai Temple:
- Hotel Sai Palace Inn
- Hotel Palkhi
- Hotel Sai Sampada NX
- Sai Raghunandan Guest House – Basic Triple Room
- Sai Baba International Hotel
- Hotel Dhantara
- Hotel Sai Palace Budget
- Hotel Sai Seva
Sai baba Temple Address & Contact Number:
- Mauli Nagar, Shirdi, Maharashtra 423109
- Phone Number: 02423 258 777
- Website
How do you reach Sai Temple?
By Air:
Aurangabad Airport is the nearest airport to the temple. It is 144 km away. Buses are available from Aurangabad to Shirdi.
By Rail:
Shirdi was well connected to all the major cities of India. The station name in Shirdi is “Sainagar Shirdi”, which has been in operation since March 2009.
Daily trains from Chennai, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Secunderabad, and Mysore are available to the city daily.
Other major railway stations are Kopargaon (15 km), Nashik (119 km), Ahmednagar (83 km) and Manmad (87 km). Regular buses are maintained from these cities to the temple.
By Road:
State transport buses are maintained from major cities in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
FAQs:
What is the cost of Shirdi darshan?
The Darshan costs INR 200, and only INR 600 for the morning aarti, called the Kakada aarti. The price is INR 400 for the noon, evening and night aarti slots.
What is Sai Baba’s lucky number?
Number 9 was Sathya Sai Baba’s favourite and lucky number.
How long is free Darshan in Shirdi?
Darshan is allowed from 7 a.m., except during aarti time. There’s a half-hour aarti at noon, another at sunset (around 6–6.30 p.m.) and a night aarti at 10 p.m. After that, the temple closes.
Which is the best month to visit Shirdi?
December to March is the best time to visit Shirdi.
Which day is special for Sai Baba?
Thursday.
Can I take a mobile inside Shirdi temple?
Prohibited items: Water bottles, mobile phones, cameras or electronic gadgets are prohibited inside the Sai Baba temple premises. Security is tight, and there is electronic surveillance throughout the temple premises.