The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, known locally as the Shri Saibaba Samadhi Mandir, is the shrine built over the resting place of Sai Baba in Shirdi, Maharashtra. Baba came here as a young fakir and lived for 60 years in an old mosque he called Dwarkamai, feeding anyone who turned up hungry. After his Mahasamadhi on Vijayadashami in October 1918, his body was laid to rest in a stone wada, which is the Samadhi Mandir you see today.
Sai Baba Shirdi is one of those rare shrines where Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian families stand in the same queue. Devotees come to give thanks for a wish fulfilled or seek blessings before a wedding or a new job. Thursdays are Baba’s day, and the rush peaks during Ram Navami, Guru Purnima and Vijayadashami.
It’d save you a lot of trouble to know a few things before you leave home. Aarti timings, pass prices, the right gate, the distance from Sainagar Shirdi station and the temples worth adding later are the details that shape your darshan day. Many families book a cab or tempo traveller from Pune, Mumbai or Nashik in advance, and we plan these Shirdi trips with pickup times matched to your aarti slot. For exploring nearby attractions, you can also book a Shirdi local sightseeing taxi with ChikuCab.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, also known as Shri Saibaba Samadhi Mandir, is located in Shirdi, Ahilyanagar district, Maharashtra. The temple is dedicated to Sai Baba and is visited by devotees throughout the year. Visitors can attend daily aartis, including Kakad Aarti, Madhyan Aarti, Dhoop Aarti and Shej Aarti. This guide covers temple timings, darshan and aarti passes, online booking, how to reach Shirdi and places to visit nearby.
Plan Your Shirdi Sai Baba Darshan Trip with ChikuCab
Planning a Shirdi visit with family or friends? Travel comfortably with ChikuCab by booking a sedan, SUV or Tempo Traveller from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik or nearby cities. Contact our team to discuss your pickup location, travel date and cab requirements.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Location and Address
Shirdi is a small temple town in Rahata taluka of Ahilyanagar district (formerly Ahmednagar) in Maharashtra, India. The town lies on the Ahilyanagar to Manmad highway (NH 160), 80 km from Ahilyanagar city and 90 km from Nashik.
Many travellers search for the Shirdi temple in Nashik, but Nashik is just the nearest big city.
| Detail | Information |
| Temple name | Shri Saibaba Samadhi Mandir |
| Managed by | Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi |
| Address | Shirdi, Tal. Rahata, Dist. Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra 423109 |
| State | Maharashtra, India |
Shirdi Temple Timings for Darshan and Aarti
The Shirdi temple is open on all seven days, with no weekly closing day.
| Ritual | Timing |
| Kakad Aarti (morning) | 5:15 AM |
| Darshan in Samadhi Mandir | 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM |
| Madhyan Aarti (afternoon) | 12:00 PM |
| Dhoop Aarti (evening) | At sunset |
| Shej Aarti (night) | 10:00 PM |
| Temple closes | After Shej Aarti |
Regular darshan stops during each aarti. Every Thursday night, Baba’s palkhi leaves the Samadhi Mandir for the Chavadi with dhol, cymbals and a crowd of devotees walking behind it.
On the main day of Ram Navami, Guru Purnima and Vijayadashami, the Samadhi Mandir stays open all night. Eclipses and special occasions can change the temple schedule, so check the latest notices on the official Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust website before travelling.
Darshan Waiting Time and Rush Days
Thursdays, Sundays, long weekends and the three big festivals bring the longest free darshan lines.
Weekday mornings after Kakad Aarti are the quietest, so we’d suggest reaching Shirdi the night before. October to February brings cool mornings, while May afternoons hit 40°C and tire out elders in the open queue.
Inside the Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi
Gopalrao Buti, a wealthy devotee from Nagpur, built this stone wada to house an idol of Lord Krishna. Baba was laid to rest here instead in 1918, and the building became his samadhi.
Today, a white Italian marble idol of Baba, carved by Balaji Vasant Talim and installed in 1954, looks out over the samadhi. Rose and marigold garlands pile up on the samadhi, incense smoke hangs in the hall, and the moving line keeps up a low chant of “Om Sai Ram”.
You’ll get only a few seconds in front of Baba, so keep your flowers or shawl ready before you reach the front. The Dixit Wada Museum nearby keeps Baba’s kafni, padukas and chillum.
Dwarkamai, Chavadi and Other Shrines in the Sai Temple Complex
The Samadhi Mandir is only one part of the Sai temple Shirdi complex. Five more spots tied to Baba’s life are a short walk away.
| Shrine | What you’ll see |
| Dwarkamai | The old mosque where Baba lived. The dhuni he lit still burns, and its ash is given out as udi. |
| Chavadi | Baba slept here on alternate nights in his later years. The Thursday palkhi ends here. |
| Gurusthan | A neem tree where Baba was first seen as a young man. Devotees light incense here on Thursdays and Fridays. |
| Lendi Baug | The garden Baba watered himself, with the Nanda Deep lamp kept burning in his memory. |
| Khandoba Mandir | Priest Mhalsapati greeted the young fakir here with “Ya Sai”, and the name stayed with him. |
Shirdi Temple Gates, Darshan Passes and Online Booking
The Sai Baba temple Shirdi complex has several gates, and picking the right one saves you a long walk along the boundary wall.
| Gate | Used for |
| Darshan Queue Complex | Main entry for the free darshan line |
| Gate No. 1 | Mukh Darshan, a view of Baba from a distance without the full queue |
| Gate No. 3 | Senior citizens and differently-abled devotees, plus the help desk for missing persons |
Phones, cameras and footwear aren’t allowed inside the temple. Lockers near the gates cost a nominal charge, and wheelchairs are available for elders.
| Pass | Price per person |
| General darshan | Free |
| VIP darshan pass | ₹200 |
| Kakad Aarti pass | ₹600 |
| Madhyan, Dhoop or Shej Aarti pass | ₹400 |
You can book these passes on online.sai.org.in, the Sansthan’s official mobile app, or at the PRO office in Shirdi. Each devotee needs a photo ID like Aadhaar or passport, shown at the gate with the printed pass. Aarti passes sell out fast on Thursdays.
How to Reach Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
Nearest Railway Station to Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
Sainagar Shirdi (SNSI) is the nearest railway station, 4 km from the temple. The Mumbai CSMT to Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat Express covers the trip in 5 hours 20 minutes on every day except Tuesday.
| Station | Code | Distance to temple |
| Sainagar Shirdi | SNSI | 4 km |
| Kopargaon | KPG | 17 km |
| Manmad Junction | MMR | 61 km |
With a pre-booked cab, your driver meets you at the station exit, so there’s no bargaining with autos.
Shirdi Bus Stand and Shirdi Airport Distance
Shirdi bus stand is only 450 metres from the temple, and the Sansthan keeps a reception centre there for arriving devotees.
Shirdi Airport (SAG) at Kakadi is 17 km away, with direct flights from Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (112 km) and Pune (201 km) have bigger airports.
Road Distance to Shirdi Temple from Pune, Mumbai and Nashik
Most families still go by road, since a cab leaves at your time and can stop at Shani Shingnapur on the way.
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
| Pune to Shirdi | 201 km | 4 to 5 hrs |
| Mumbai to Shirdi (Samruddhi Mahamarg) | 270 km | 4 to 5 hrs |
| Nashik to Shirdi | 90 km | 2 hrs |
| Ahilyanagar to Shirdi | 80 km | 1.5 to 2 hrs |
| Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Shirdi | 112 km | 2.5 to 3 hrs |
Our cabs and tempo travellers cover all these routes regularly, and fare starts from ₹10/km. Our drivers know the early start for Kakad Aarti and the parking closest to the Darshan Queue Complex.Travellers coming from Pune can plan their journey with a Pune to Shirdi taxi for a convenient road trip to Sai Baba Temple.
Distance from Sai Ashram Bhaktiniwas and Dwarawati
Sansthan rooms are the closest stays, bookable on the same portal as your darshan pass.
| Sansthan stay | Distance from temple |
| Sai Udyan | 250 m |
| Dwarawati Bhaktiniwas | 500 m |
| Sai Bhakta Niwas | 1.3 km |
| Sai Ashram Bhaktiniwas | 1.7 km |
Temples and Places to Visit Near Shirdi
Most visitors add one or two temples near Shirdi, and three of these are Shiva temples.
| Place | Distance from Shirdi | Known for |
| Upasni Maharaj Ashram, Sakori | 5 km | Ashram of Upasni Maharaj, one of Baba’s close disciples |
| Shani Shingnapur | 70 km | Open-air Shani shrine in a village where houses have no doors |
| Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga | 110 km | The 12th Jyotirlinga, close to the Ellora caves |
| Kailasa Temple, Ellora | 110 km | A Shiva temple carved top-down out of a single rock |
| Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga | 120 km | Shiva temple near the source of the Godavari |
With half a day free, we’d pick Shani Shingnapur. Our Shirdi sightseeing cabs cover it with Sakori in 4 to 5 hours, back before Dhoop Aarti. Trimbakeshwar and Ellora work better as separate day trips.
Prati Shirdi in Pune Is a Separate Temple
Prati Shirdi, also called Mini Shirdi or Chota Shirdi, is a replica Sai Baba temple at Shirgaon near Talegaon, 40 km from Pune. Opened in 2007, it copies the Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai and Gurusthan in Rajasthani marble.
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Shirgaon, off the Mumbai-Pune Expressway (Somatane exit) |
| Timings | 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Aarti | 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM |
It’s a pleasant Thursday outing for Pune families, but Baba’s samadhi is in Shirdi. For the Samadhi Mandir, set your pickup destination as Shirdi in Ahilyanagar district, 201 km from Pune, and not Shirgaon.
Plan Your Shirdi Sai Baba Darshan with ChikuCab
Planning a visit to Shirdi Sai Baba Temple with family or friends? Travel comfortably with ChikuCab by booking a sedan, SUV or Tempo Traveller from Pune, Mumbai, Nashik and nearby cities. Share your pickup location, travel dates and group size to get a fare quote for your Shirdi trip.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple FAQs
Where is Shirdi Sai Baba Temple located in Maharashtra?
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is in Shirdi town, part of Rahata taluka in Ahilyanagar district (earlier called Ahmednagar), Maharashtra. The shrine lies on NH 160 between Ahilyanagar and Manmad. Nashik city is 90 km away, so many people link the temple with Nashik, though it falls under Ahilyanagar. The PIN code for the Samadhi Mandir is 423109.
What is the history of Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?
The shrine began as Buti Wada, a stone mansion that Nagpur devotee Gopalrao Buti built to hold a Krishna idol. When Sai Baba attained Mahasamadhi in October 1918, his body was placed inside, and the wada turned into the Samadhi Mandir. Sculptor Balaji Vasant Talim carved the white marble idol of Baba that was installed in 1954. Today the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust manages the temple.
What are the daily opening and closing timings of Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?
Shirdi temple opens on every day of the week, with no weekly holiday. Each morning begins with Kakad Aarti at 5:15 AM, and Samadhi Mandir darshan is allowed between 6:00 AM and 9:30 PM. Shej Aarti at 10:00 PM is the last ritual before the doors close. On the main days of Ram Navami, Guru Purnima and Vijayadashami, the shrine remains open all night.
What are the four main aarti timings at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?
Priests perform four aartis at the Samadhi Mandir each day. Kakad Aarti greets Baba at 5:15 AM, Madhyan Aarti is held at 12:00 PM, Dhoop Aarti takes place at sunset, and Shej Aarti ends the day at 10:00 PM. General darshan pauses while an aarti is in progress.
How can devotees book online aarti and darshan tickets for Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?
Darshan and aarti passes are sold on online.sai.org.in and the official Shri Saibaba Sansthan mobile app. After signing up, you choose a date and slot, enter each person’s photo ID details and pay online. Staff check the printed pass and the same ID at the entry gate. Passes are also available at the PRO office in Shirdi.
Is free darshan available at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?
Yes. General darshan at the Samadhi Mandir costs nothing, and the free queue starts at the Darshan Queue Complex. Devotees who want a shorter wait can buy a VIP darshan pass for ₹200 per person. Aarti passes are separate, priced at ₹600 for Kakad Aarti and ₹400 for each of the other three.
How much time does it take for Sai Baba Samadhi Darshan in Shirdi?
Your moment in front of the samadhi lasts only a few seconds, since the line keeps moving. Waiting time before that depends on the day. Weekday mornings after Kakad Aarti see the shortest free queues, while Thursdays, Sundays, long weekends and festivals push the wait to several hours. A ₹200 VIP pass cuts the queue time on busy days.
How far is Shirdi Temple from Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station?
Sainagar Shirdi railway station (SNSI) is 4 km from the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. Kopargaon station is 17 km away and Manmad Junction is 61 km away, both handy when trains to Sainagar Shirdi are full. We cover station pickups in Shirdi regularly, and our drivers know the quickest road to the temple gates.
How can I reach Shirdi Sai Baba Temple from Mumbai, Pune or Nashik?
By road, Shirdi is 270 km from Mumbai via the Samruddhi Mahamarg, 201 km from Pune and 90 km from Nashik. The drive takes 4 to 5 hours from Mumbai or Pune and 2 hours from Nashik. Mumbai travellers can also take the Vande Bharat Express to Sainagar Shirdi, a 5 hour 20 minute ride. We cover all three routes regularly, and our drivers plan the start time to match your aarti slot.
What are the best places to visit near Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, and how can devotees plan a one-day trip?
Upasni Maharaj Ashram at Sakori is 5 km from Shirdi, and Shani Shingnapur is 70 km away. Shiva devotees can add Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga and the Kailasa Temple at Ellora, both 110 km away, or Trimbakeshwar at 120 km. For one day, we suggest darshan after Kakad Aarti, then a cab to Sakori and Shani Shingnapur, back in Shirdi before Dhoop Aarti. Ellora and Trimbakeshwar need a separate day.
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