Introduction

The great Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir is located at the heart of the quaint town of Shirdi. When Sai Baba, the great ascetic first arrived from Panthri village in Maharashtra in 1858 to Shirdi, it was only a tiny hamlet of 80 thatched houses with mud walls. A man of principle, Sai Baba, as he was lovingly called by his Hindu and Muslim followers, devoted his entire life in teaching the common path of Hinduism and Islam. He always believed and professed “Sabka malik ek” (meaning one God governs all). All his life he opposed religious orthodoxy and worked in spreading communal harmony. He spent the last years of his life in Shirdi until he attained the ‘mahasamadhi’ (left his physical body) on 15 October 1918. Even years after his death, devotees throng this religious site round the year to pay their tributes.

The temple complex highlights the mausoleum of Shri Sai Baba constructed in pure white marble by a wealthy Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao Buti from Nagpur in 1917-18. He wished to set up the idol of Muralidhar (a Hindu deity), but legend has it that there came a makeover of Baba on the Muralidhar idol, and thus came to be the samadhi (memorial) of Sai Baba. Browse the temple and appreciate its exquisite silver pillars adorned with elaborate designs. You will also come across an impressive collection of photographs and artifacts on the first floor recounting the life of the saint. Just behind the samadhi is the life-giving statue of Sai Baba in Italian marble that shows him seated on a throne, with an open silver umbrella over him. This beautiful statue was carved by late Balaji Vasant and put up on 7 October 1954. Pilgrims can assemble at the huge prayer hall in front of the main building that accommodates up to 600 devotees, while a section of the hall showcases different things used by Sai Baba in the course of his life.

The daily routine of the temple begins as early as 5 in the morning with Bhoopali, a morning song, and closes at 10 in the evening after the Shejarati is sung. The temple remains open overnight only on three occasions, namely Gurupurnima, Dusshera and Ram Navami. Every Thursday and during festivities, a palanquin with Sai Baba’s photograph is taken out from here in a colorful procession.

On exploring the temple site you will feel a sense of peace and calm upon you.

Special Attributes

A very popular shrine in India, where the great saint Sai Baba's mortal remains were interred.

Nuisance

Serpentine queue of devotees

Dressing restrictions

Dress appropriately, wear fully covered clothes since it is a religious site.

Connectivity

All attractions are within walking distances from anywhere in Shirdi. Cycle rickshaws are available easily, and are the best way to explore locally.

Shirdi is on the Ahmednagar-Manmad Highway, about 250 kilometers (156 miles) from Mumbai and 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Nashik. You can choose to fly into Nashik and then take a bus, taxi or train to Shirdi. Shirdi is accessible on the Central Railway line; get off at Manmad (65 kilometers/41 miles from Shirdi) or at Kopergaon (18 kilometers/11.25 miles). Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) runs buses from all major destinations.

Enjoyed by

Families, Senior Citizens

Exposure

Shirdi has a dry climate that swings to extremes, from a high of 40° C in May, to a low of 7° C in January. But the monsoon months - June to August - are pleasant, with scanty rains. Though after passing through the queue, you will mostly be indoors.

Avoidable Season

The shrine can be visited at any time of the year.

Facilities

You can meditate in peace in the huge prayer hall, and even browse the gallery housing photographs and items of Sai Baba's daily use.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction.

Tip

You are advised to begin early, as the entrance queue gets longer with the passing day. Avoid a Thursday visit since it gets very difficult to even find your ground.

Type of site

Shrine of Sai Baba