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Amit Khanna Staff answered 4 months ago
The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra, is a prominent pilgrimage site. Here are the relevant details for first-time visitors:
Timings and Visiting Hours:
Darshan Timings:
Morning:
4:00 AM to 5:00 AM – Kakad Aarti (Morning Aarti)
5:00 AM to 6:00 AM – General Darshan
Afternoon:
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – Noon Aarti
Evening:
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Shej Aarti (Evening Aarti)
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – General Darshan
Temple Closure:
Between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM – The temple is closed for a break.
Between 9:00 PM and 4:00 AM – The temple remains closed overnight.
Special Aartis:
Shirdi Sai Baba’s birthday and Thursday evenings are special days with additional rituals and crowded darshan times.
Important Details for First-Time Visitors:
Entry:
There is no entry fee to visit the temple. However, donations are welcome and can be made at designated counters.
Dress Code:
Modest attire is recommended. Both men and women should cover their shoulders and avoid wearing short skirts or shorts.
Footwear must be removed before entering the temple premises.
Facilities:
Prasad (Offering): You can buy prasad from the stalls outside the temple. It is offered to devotees during darshan.
Langar (Free Meal): A free meal (langar) is available at the temple for devotees, typically served between 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
Crowd Management:
The temple can be very crowded, especially on Thursdays and during festivals. Visiting early in the morning or late in the evening can help avoid long queues.
Accommodation:
Shirdi offers various accommodation options ranging from budget to luxury hotels. It’s advisable to book in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Travel Tips:
Local Transport: Shirdi is well-connected by road and rail. You can hire taxis, auto-rickshaws, or use public buses.
Nearby Attractions: You might also explore other nearby sites such as the Dwarkamai Masjid and the Sai Baba Museum.
These details should help make your visit to the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple smooth and fulfilling.
Nidhi Staff answered 7 days ago
The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, located in Shirdi, Maharashtra, is one of the most famous pilgrimage destinations in India, dedicated to Sai Baba of Shirdi. Devotees from all over the world visit to pay homage and seek blessings. The temple has a set of timings for darshan (viewing of the deity), aarti, and other rituals that are followed every day.
General Timings
The temple is open for visitors every day, including public holidays, from early morning until late evening. However, the specific timings for darshan, aarti, and other activities may vary.
Morning Darshan
Timings: 4:00 AM – 11:00 AM
During this time, devotees can visit the temple for darshan (viewing) of Sai Baba’s idol. The temple opens early, allowing visitors to attend morning prayers and take part in various rituals.
Aarti Timings
Kakad Aarti (Early Morning Aarti): 4:30 AM
The first aarti of the day is performed in the early morning and marks the start of temple activities.
Dhup Aarti (Afternoon Aarti): 12:00 PM
This is the midday aarti, which is performed at noon.
Shej Aarti (Night Aarti): 10:30 PM
The night aarti is performed in the evening, which is the last aarti of the day.
Afternoon Timings
Darshan: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The temple remains open, and devotees can visit Sai Baba’s idol during the afternoon hours for darshan. There may be a slight break for temple cleaning and preparations for the evening rituals.
Evening Timings
Darshan: 4:00 PM – 10:30 PM
The temple remains open for darshan until the Shej Aarti is conducted at night. The temple closes after this final ritual of the day.
Special Timings on Thursdays
Thursday is considered an especially auspicious day for devotees of Sai Baba, and the temple experiences higher footfall on this day. The timings remain largely the same, but special arrangements may be made for larger crowds:
Sai Baba’s special aarti and offerings are performed, and many devotees choose to visit on this day to seek special blessings.
Important Rituals & Events
Prasadam Distribution: After the aartis, devotees can collect Prasadam (holy offerings) like Panchamrit, Udi (sacred ash), and Chandan (sandalwood paste).
Arati and Abhishekam: Arati (devotional song) and abhishekam (ritual bathing of the idol) take place during specific times in the morning and evening.
Temple Pooja Timings
Poojas are performed daily and are generally a part of the temple’s schedule. Special poojas like Sai Abhishekam and Shirdi Sai Baba Pooja can be booked online or at the temple. These poojas typically happen in the early morning or late evening and can last for about 30 minutes to an hour.
Best Time to Visit
Off-Peak Times: If you wish to avoid the crowds, the best times to visit the temple are early in the morning or late in the evening.
Peak Times: Weekends, Thursdays, and festival days (such as Guru Purnima, Ram Navami, and Dussehra) attract a large number of devotees, and the temple may be more crowded.
Darshan Tickets
The temple offers free darshan, but there are also VIP darshan options for quicker access, which come with an associated fee.
Online booking is available for VIP darshan tickets, especially during peak periods or festivals, to ensure smooth access.
Temple Address and Contact Details
Location: Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi, Maharashtra
Official Website: Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is open throughout the week, with morning and evening rituals marking key times for darshan and worship. Visitors should plan their visit around the aarti schedules to get the full experience of the temple’s spiritual offerings.