Name: Shirdi
Rating: 3.6

Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple, Shirdi Overview

The Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple is a religious place in Shirdi, Maharashtra in India, that is dedicated to Shri Sai Baba, who is considered to be one of the greatest saints to have been born in India. Sai Baba is believed to have been blessed with unprecedented powers, and he is worshipped as God incarnate in the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple. This is a must visit holy place for all devotees of Sai Baba who wish to experience what pure tranquillity and bliss feel like, and be closer to the God for a while.

The temple complex is spread over a total area of around 200 square metres and is located in the heart of Shirdi Village. It is a significant centre for devotees from all across the world and is visited by 25,000 devotees on an average each day. On festivals and certain special occasions, the number rises to 1,00,000 devotees per day.

The temple premises was recently renovated in the year 1998 and now is equipped with all modern day and necessary facilities such as Darshan Lane, Prasadalay which serves lunch and dinner, Donation Counters, Prasad Counters, Canteen, Book Stall, Railway Reservation Counter and others. Accommodation facilities are also available for devotees who visit the temple from far off places. What makes Shirdi an important religious place is the fact that it was here that Sai Baba made his appearance as a young boy, and he remained here all through his life, helping people and changing their lives.

Significance of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple

Sai Baba is regarded as a mysterious Fakir who appeared as a young man in Shirdi and spent his entire life in that village. He stated that his mission was to give blessings to all those who seek his help, without any discrimination. It is widely believed that he did indeed transform multiple lives in numerous ways: he cured the sick, saved men's lives, protected the defenceless, granted offspring to couples, prevented innumerable accidents, brought people into harmony and peace with their inner self as well as with the others, helped in their financial gain, and also helped people to evolve and transform spiritually.

Devotees do not consider this Fakir to be a mere Baba; instead, he is believed to be a God himself, and it is believed that he continues to transform and improve people's lives even till this date, by helping those who pray and call him in times of emergency. This is why people from all parts of the country visit the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple in large numbers to pay homage to Sai Baba and to experience his promise of never ceasing to help his devotees in need, even from his tomb after his death.

Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple Complex

The Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple premises are spread over an area of 200 square metres and receive a footfall of about 25,000 devotees each day. The premises are well equipped with all necessary facilities such as canteens, Prasad counters, book stalls and donation counters. Apart from that, the complex also houses the Khandoba Temple, Gurusthan, Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai, Chavadi, Lendi Gardens, and a few other temples.

The Khandoba Temple is considered to be the spot where Sai Baba first stopped upon his entrance into Shirdi, and also the place where he got his name. Gurusthan means 'place of the Guru', and it is the place where Baba spent most of his time when he first arrived at Shirdi; and also where, according to Baba, the tomb of his Guru is located by the Neem tree. From underneath this Neem tree, there is an underground tunnel or passage that leads to the place of Dwarkamai.

The Samadhi Mandir is the shrine which houses Sai Baba's tomb and was initially constructed as a large private house at the time of last years in his physical body. This shrine was built by a wealthy devotee, Gopalrao Booty, who belonged to Nagpur. The work on this place had begun in 1915, and since it is made in stone, it is known as 'Dagadi Wada'.

The Lendi gardens are significant because Sai Baba used to visit this place every day. The gardens contain some tombs, a shrine, and the perpetually burning lamp lit that was lit by Baba himself and placed between the two trees that he had planted. Other temples in the complex include the Hanuman Mandir, Mahalakshmi Temple, Jain Temple, Narasimha Temple and the three temples dedicated to Ganesh, Shani and Mahadev.

Festivals Celebrated at Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple

The three main festivals of Shirdi, Ramnavami, Guru Purnima and Vijayadashami are celebrated with great zeal and fervency at the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple. There are special programmes of prayers, bhajans, readings of scriptures and devotional texts as well as processions with the palanquin and Rath that take place at the temple during these times.

Abhishek Pooja and Satyanarayan Pooja at Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple

The Abhishek Pooja in the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple takes place in three batches of one hour each, at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
The amount payable for this Pooja is INR 101.

The Satyanarayan Pooja also lasts for one hour, but takes place in five batches, at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
The last batches of both these poojas depend on the crowd.

Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple Aarti Timings

Temple Opens- 4:00 AM
Bhupali- 4:15 AM
Kakad Aarti- 4:30 AM - 5:00 AM
Bhajan in Sai Baba Mandir- 5:00 AM
Mangal Snaan in Samadhi Mandir- 5:05 AM
Aarti- 5:35 AM
Darshan begins in the Samadhi Mandir- 5:40 AM
Dhuni pooja with rice and ghee in Dwarkamai- 11:30 AM
Midday Aarti- 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Devotional Reading in Samadhi Mandir- 4:00 PM
Dhoop Aarti- Sunset
Devotional songs in Samadhi Mandir- 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Chavadi and Gurusthan closes- 9:00 PM
Water is offered to Sai Baba, a mosquito net is hung, and the hanging lamp is lit in Dwarkamai- 9:30 PM
Dwarkamai closes- 9:45 PM
Night Aarti and other rituals take place- 10:30 PM - 10:45 PM
Samadhi Mandir closes- 11:15 PM

Shirdi Darshan Booking

You can pre-book for Darshan or Aarti on the official website of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust.

Tips For Visiting Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple

Special VIP passes for INR 200 each are available at the temple, which provides quicker darshan. It is advisable to purchase those passes if you are visiting the temple with infants or young ones.

How To Reach Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple

Buses to Shirdi ply from all parts of Maharashtra on a regular basis. Since the temple is located in the heart of the Shirdi Village, it can easily be reached via public transport, autos and rickshaws.