Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
Pilgrimage
India | Maharashtra | Shirdi
#1 of 7 Places to Visit in Shirdi
Distance (From Shirdi Bus Station): 0.6 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
Transportation Options: Walk/Trek
Travel Tips: Different darshan methods are available in Shirdi. There is always a huge queue for darshan which can be done through the paid darshan or through the free darshan. Special Sevas and paid darshans are a little faster than the free queue. Usually it takes 2-3 hours and it takes 4-6 hours during festivals & special occations. Around 50,000 people come to visit the temple everyday and the number goes up to about one lakh on weekends and festivals.
At a distance of 600 m from Shirdi Bus Stand, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is situated in the center of Shirdi town. It is one of the most famous shrines of pilgrimage in India and also prime place to include in your Shirdi Tour Packages.
The Shirdi Temple is dedicated to Sri Sai Baba and he is revered as one of the greatest saints ever seen in India, endowed with unprecedented powers, and is worshipped as an incarnation of God. Baba first made his appearance in Shirdi as a youth and remained there until he died in 1918. He transformed the lives of those who met him and continuously is doing so even after his Samadhi for those who pray him for his blessings. This is one of the popular places to visit in Shirdi.
The temple complex of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba is spread in approximately 200 square meters. Samadhi Mandir is the main temple in the complex and is the mausoleum where Baba's mortal remains lay preserved. Samadhi Mandir was constructed under the patronage of a millionaire from Nagpur, who was an ardent devotee of Sai Baba. The Sai devotee, Shreemant Gopalrao, wanted to enshrine an idol of Murlidhar at the temple, but Sai Baba declared himself as Murlidhar. Made up of white marble, the Samadhi is located amidst two silver pillars embellished with decorative designs. A life-size marble idol of Baba is placed here which is worshipped by the devotees visiting the temple. The idol was made by Late Balaji Vasant in 1954. A large hall in the Samadhi Mandir accommodates hundreds of devotees for prayers and darshan each day.
Apart from the Samadhi Mandir, Shirdi Sai Baba Temple premises houses a Gurusthan which is the spot where a neem tree is worshipped. According to the legend, Sri Sai Baba's remains were entombed under this neem tree. The mosque where Sai Baba spent most of his life, Dwarkamai is another sacred spot that is enshrined on the premises. Situated close to Dwarkamai Mosque, Chavadi is the place where Sai Baba came along with his followers on every alternative night to sleep. The temple premises enclose a large Lendi Baug, where Sai Baba used to go every day in the morning and afternoon for watering the plants. There are also small shrines for Shiva, Ganesh, and Shani on the premises. The temple also houses a museum that showcases Baba's personal articles of use.
The temple is open to all visitors irrespective of their caste, religion, and beliefs. On average, daily 50,000 devotees visit Shirdi, to have the Darshan of Sri Sai Baba. In the festival season, more than 100,000 devotees visit the temple every day. Ramnavami (March/April), Guru Purnima (July), and Vijayadashami (September) are the major festivals that are celebrated with great passion and fervor.
Aarti timings are the best time to visit Shirdi Sai Baba Temple.
Temple Timings: 4 AM to 11.15 PM
Aarti Timings:
Kakad Aarti: 4.30 AM - 5 AM
Mid Day Aarti: 12 PM - 12.30 PM
Shej Aarti: 10.30 PM - 10.50 PM.
