Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir — Overview
The Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi is one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in India, welcoming over 25,000 to 40,000 devotees daily. The temple is open every day of the year, with no closures for any festival or holiday. Four sacred aartis are performed daily — each marking a distinct spiritual moment in Sai Baba's divine schedule.
🕐 Pro Tip: Arrive at least 30–45 minutes before an aarti to secure a good viewing position. The Kakad Aarti (early morning) and Shej Aarti (night) attract the most devoted pilgrims and offer the most spiritually immersive experience.
Daily Aarti Schedule
All four aartis are performed in the inner sanctum (Samadhi Mandir) by the temple's designated pujaris. Entry during aarti requires a valid pass or standing in the general crowd queue.
Start Time
5:00 AM
Duration
~30 minutes
Significance
Waking up Sai Baba
Start Time
12:00 PM
Duration
~30 minutes
Significance
Midday Offering
Start Time
Sunset (~6:00 PM)
Duration
~45 minutes
Significance
Evening offering
Start Time
10:30 PM
Duration
~30 minutes
Significance
Putting Baba to sleep
🔔 Note: Aarti timings may shift slightly during major festivals like Ram Navami, Guru Purnima, Diwali, and Dussehra. Always confirm with the Sansthan office or the official website
online.sai.org.in before your visit.
Complete Daily Timings Table
A comprehensive schedule of all activities at the Shirdi Sai Baba temple complex from opening to closing.
| Activity |
Time |
Notes |
| 🚪 Temple Gate Opens |
4:00 AM |
Devotees may enter the temple premises |
| 🌅 Kakad Aarti (Morning) |
5:00 AM |
Waking aarti; lasts approx. 30 min |
| 🛕 Darshan Begins |
5:30 AM |
Post Kakad Aarti; general darshan opens |
| 🍛 Prasad Distribution (Morning) |
7:00 AM |
Free prasad at distribution counters |
| ☀️ Madhyan Aarti (Noon) |
12:00 PM |
Midday aarti; general darshan paused briefly |
| 🍽️ Mahaprasad (Noon) |
12:00 PM |
Free communal meal at Prasadalaya hall |
| 🛕 Afternoon Darshan |
12:30 PM |
Resumes after Madhyan Aarti |
| 🌇 Dhoop Aarti (Evening) |
~6:00 PM |
Time varies with sunset; lasts ~45 min |
| 🛕 Evening Darshan |
Post Dhoop |
Continues after Dhoop Aarti until 10:15 PM |
| 🌙 Shej Aarti (Night) |
10:30 PM |
Bedtime aarti; lasts approx. 30 min |
| 🚪 Temple Gate Closes |
11:15 PM |
All devotees requested to exit premises |
ℹ️ Darshan Hours: General darshan runs from approximately 5:30 AM to 10:15 PM daily, with brief closures during each aarti. Total darshan time is roughly 16+ hours per day.
Darshan Pass Categories
The Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust offers several darshan categories to accommodate all pilgrims. Passes can be booked online at online.sai.org.in.
🙏 Free Darshan
Free /person
General queue darshan. Wait times range from 1 to 5 hours depending on crowd. Open to all without booking.
⚡ Paid Darshan
₹200 /person
Dedicated paid darshan lane with significantly shorter wait time. Book online or at the Sansthan counters.
👑 VIP / Aarti Passes
₹500+ /person
Special seating during aartis. Limited passes available. Must be booked well in advance online.
🌺 Prasad Info: Free prasad is distributed daily from 7:00 AM. The Mahaprasad (communal meal) is served at the Prasadalaya hall at noon after Madhyan Aarti — open to all devotees at no cost. Both are vegetarian and satvik.
Ideal One-Day Shirdi Itinerary
Make the most of your pilgrimage with this suggested day plan, timed around the main aarti schedule.
4:00 AM – 4:45 AM
Arrive at Temple Premises
Reach Shirdi early. Check in to your hotel the previous night. Enter the temple complex before the morning rush begins.
5:00 AM – 5:30 AM
Attend Kakad Aarti
The most spiritually powerful aarti of the day. Witness the ritualistic waking of Sai Baba with devotional songs and incense.
5:30 AM – 8:00 AM
General Darshan & Dwarkamai Visit
Take darshan at the Samadhi Mandir. Then visit Dwarkamai mosque, Chavadi, and Gurusthan — all within walking distance.
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Breakfast & Lendi Garden Walk
Have a peaceful breakfast. Then visit Lendi Baug (Garden) where Sai Baba used to walk and meditate. Serene and less crowded in the morning.
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Madhyan Aarti & Mahaprasad
Attend the noon aarti. Participate in the free Mahaprasad (communal meal) served by the Sansthan at the Prasadalaya hall.
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Rest & Nearby Attractions
Rest at your hotel during the hot afternoon. Optionally explore the Sai Heritage Village or Khandoba Temple nearby.
~6:00 PM
Dhoop Aarti (Evening)
The most visually spectacular aarti at sunset. The entire sanctum fills with incense smoke and the glow of hundreds of diyas.
10:30 PM
Shej Aarti (Night)
The final aarti of the day — an intimate, devotion-filled ceremony symbolising putting Sai Baba to rest. A deeply moving experience.
Temple Timings FAQ
What time does the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple open and close?
The temple gates open at 4:00 AM and close at 11:15 PM daily, including all public holidays and festivals. The temple remains open 365 days a year.
How many aartis are performed at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple each day?
Four aartis are performed daily: Kakad Aarti at 5:00 AM, Madhyan Aarti at 12:00 PM, Dhoop Aarti at approximately 6:00 PM (sunset), and Shej Aarti at 10:30 PM.
Is there a fee to enter Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?
General entry and darshan is completely free. Paid darshan passes at ₹200 per person are available for a faster queue. VIP/aarti seat passes cost ₹500 or more and must be pre-booked online.
Which aarti is best to attend in Shirdi?
Most devotees recommend the Kakad Aarti (5:00 AM) for its serene morning atmosphere and the Dhoop Aarti (evening) for its visual spectacle. The Shej Aarti at night is the most intimate and spiritually moving of all four.
What is Mahaprasad and when is it served?
Mahaprasad is a free communal vegetarian meal offered by the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust. It is served daily at the Prasadalaya hall at noon, following the Madhyan Aarti. Every devotee, regardless of caste, religion, or background, is welcome to partake.
How long is the waiting time for darshan at Shirdi?
Wait times for free darshan can range from 1 to 5 hours depending on the day and season. Weekends, festival seasons (Oct–Jan), and Ram Navami see the longest queues. Paid darshan typically takes under 30 minutes. Arriving before 6:00 AM on weekdays generally ensures shorter waits.
Can I book aarti passes online for Shirdi temple?
Yes. The official Sansthan website
online.sai.org.in allows advance booking of paid darshan passes, aarti seat passes, and even accommodation within the Sansthan guesthouses. Passes release on a rolling 30-day window.