About Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
The samadhi shrine of Sai Baba — the 19th-century fakir who preached 'Sabka Malik Ek' (one God for all) — drawing 60,000 devotees a day from every religion to a small village in Ahmednagar district, where his marble idol sits above the very grave he chose.
History
Sai Baba arrived in Shirdi around 1858 as a teenage faqir and lived there until his mahasamadhi on 15 October 1918 — a 60-year span during which he never left the village, slept alternate nights in a Hindu temple and a mosque (the Dwarkamai), accepted disciples from every caste and faith, and performed a stream of documented miracles: lighting earthen lamps with water instead of oil, raising the dead, and reading letters sealed inside boxes. He left no books and chose no successor, saying only 'my tomb will speak, my dust will grant wishes.' The main temple was built in 1922 over his grave by Nagpur industrialist Shreemant Gopalrao Buti; the white-marble idol of Baba was sculpted by Balaji Vasant Talim in 1954. The trust today is India's second-richest temple after Tirupati, with an annual donation revenue exceeding ₹800 crore.
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Travel Tips
- Book online darshan passes at online.sai.org.in — ₹200 for the fast-track queue
- Thursday is Baba's day — crowds double; avoid unless you are specifically observing it
- Free prasadalaya meal runs 11 a.m.–10 p.m. — token is given at the queue entrance
- Shani Shingnapur (70 km) and Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (150 km) pair as a two-day circuit
Famous Food in Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Dwarkamai — the ruined mosque where Sai lit the dhuni still burning since 1858
- Chavadi — where Baba alternated sleeping every second night
- Shani Shingnapur — the village with no doors, 70 km away
How to Reach Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is located in Maharashtra, India at coordinates 19.7645°N, 74.4767°E. You can reach Shirdi Sai Baba Temple by air (nearest airport in Maharashtra), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?
- The best time to visit Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is October to March.
- What are the top travel tips for Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?
- Book online darshan passes at online.sai.org.in — ₹200 for the fast-track queue. Thursday is Baba's day — crowds double; avoid unless you are specifically observing it. Free prasadalaya meal runs 11 a.m.–10 p.m. — token is given at the queue entrance. Shani Shingnapur (70 km) and Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (150 km) pair as a two-day circuit.
- What food is famous in Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?
- Famous dishes in Shirdi Sai Baba Temple include: Misal pav at Pawar Mavshi's, opposite the temple — Maharashtrian breakfast staple, Shrikhand and puran poli at Sainath Bhojanalaya, Chikki and peda from Shirdi Chikki Bhandar — takeaway prasad favourite.
