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Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple,
Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple, An Overview
This temple is a very religious site in Shirdi and it is dedicated to Shri Sai Baba, the greatest saint born in India. He is believed to be blessed with immense powers and he is worshipped as God in this temple. This holy place is a must-see for every Sai Baba devotee that wants to encounter bliss and tranquillity but most importantly that wants to be closer to God.
A total area of 200 sqm is the complex of the temple and in the heart of Shirdi is where it is located. Devotees from all over the world come here to visit. Approximately 25,000 devotees visit the temple daily. About 1,000,000 devotees are seen daily on special occasions.
In the year 1998, the temple was renovated with necessary and modern-day equipments like Prasadalay (serves lunch and dinner), Donation counters, Darshan lane, Book stalls, Canteens, railway and others. Facilities for the accommodation of devotees are also available for those who live far away. Shirdi is a significant spiritual place because when Sai Baba first appeared as a young boy, it was here and he stayed in this place all his life, changing people’s lives and helping them.
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Significance of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple
Sai Baba is known as an enigmatic fakir. This is because he appeared in the village of Shirdi as a 16-year-old boy and lived there his whole life. He said his mission was to bless people who seek his help without discriminating. Sai Baba saved lives, cured the sick, gave children to the barren, defended the helpless, helped people financially, granted people peace and harmony with themselves and transformed several people spiritually.
Devotees believe that this Fakir is God and also that he transformed people’s lives till date by helping those who pray to him. For this reason, several people from different countries come to the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple to pay homage to him and encounter his promise of always helping devotees in need even in death.
Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple Complex
The temple is over 200 sqm and has a wide range of about 25,000 devotees visiting daily. The temple is equipped with essential facilities like prasad counters, donation counters, canteens, bookstalls and the likes. The complex as well hosts the Gurusthan Temple, Dwarkami, Khandoba, Lendi Gardens, Chavardi and other temples.
The name Sai Baba was gotten from where he first stayed on his entrance into Shirdi, this place was the Kandoba temple. Sai Baba spent most time in Gurusthan when he got to Shirdi. Gurusthan translates to “place of Guru”. By the Neem tree, lies the tomb of his guru . Under the Neem tree lies an underground tunnel leading to Dwarkamai.
Sai Baba’s tomb lays in the temple of Samadhi Mandir. It was actually built for as a private large house by Gopalrao Booty, a wealthy devotee from Nagpur at the last years in Sai Baba’s body. Since 1915, work started on this temple and due to the fact that it was made in stone, it is called “Dagadi Wada”.
Due to the fact that Sai Baba visited the Lendi gardens every day, it is now one of the most important places in Shirdi. In the gardens, you will find a temple, tombs and the burning lamp lit by Sai Baba. There are several other temples in the complex such as Jain temple, Mahalakshmi Temple, Narasimha Temple, Hanuman Mandir. Also, there are 3 temples dedicated to Shani, Mahadev and Ganesh.
Festivals Celebrated at Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple
There are 3 important festivals celebrated in Shirdi, Vijayadashami, Ramnavami and Guru Purnima, they are celebrated with fervency and zeal in this temple. During these times, readings of scriptures, prayer programmes, devotional texts, , Processions with the palanquin, bhajans and the likes are done as well.
Abhishek Pooja and Satyanarayan Pooja at Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple
For one hour but in 3 batches, the Abhishek pooja commences in the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple. The price for this pooja is INR 101 and it commences at 7 AM, 9 AM and 11 AM.
On the other hand, the Satyanarayan Pooja commences in 5 batches but lasts for an hour. It takes place at 7 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM.
Both poojas last batches is solely dependent 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 is given water, the hanging lamp is lit in Dwarkamai and a mosquito net is hung- 9:30 PM
Dwarkamai closes- 9:45 PM
Night Aarti and other rituals – 10:30 PM – 10:45 PM
Samadhi Mandir closes- 11:15 PM
Shirdi Darshan Booking
Book for Aarti or Darshan on the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust official website.
Tips For Visiting Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple
For quicker darshan, buy special passes readily available at the temple for INR 200. If you have infants and you want to visit the temple, it is advisable to buy these passes.
How to Reach Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple
As long as you’re in Maharashtra, you can find a bus to Shirdi anyday. The temple is located in the heart of Shirdi so it can be easily gotten to through rickshaws, public transport or autos.
