Sai Baba Temple

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, an Indian saint of the 20th century, practiced multi-religious ideas of Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, supporting the idea of the oneness of God. Baba lived to bring people of different ethnicities and religions together and inspire everyone to recognize their oneness with God. Through his eleven solemn assurances, Baba guaranteed material success, pleasure, and prosperity to the suffering people.

History of Sai Baba Temple

Sai Baba came to Shirdi and stayed for decades in the hamlet, teaching, preaching, and worshipping. After his death, the people interred his mortal remains on a chosen location and erected the Samadhi Mandir on top of it, as per his wish.

A large marble statue of Sai Baba in a sitting pose was constructed near the Samadhi in 1954.

The temple that houses his grave was built on the grounds of a huge private residence that he built while he was alive. Gopalrao Booty, a multimillionaire from Nagpur, built the palace as a rest home for the saint. Sai Baba watered and planted plants around the house.

When the saint became ill, he remained in the home and was buried. After that, he died. Later, the actual temple was built, which was double the size of the house.

Several improvements were made to the temple over time to accommodate the rising population.

Sai Baba Paduka Seva/Pooja

Sai Baba Paduka Puja/Seva is a free service offered by Seattle's Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. Baba Paaduka can be taken home from the temple and kept every Sunday evening between 4:00 and 6:00 PM by devotees.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to have these lucky Baba symbols in your home, where you may experience their encouraging presence most intimately and spiritually possible.

If you are interested in Paduka Seva, please email [email protected] with your name, phone number, email address, home address, and desired dates.

Anyone is invited to utilize this service, which is given on a first-come, first-served basis.

The architecture of Sai Baba Temple

When visitors enter the temple, there is a big hall with photos of Sai Baba's life and the temple. On the left side of the hall, a little chamber has a saint's memorabilia such as his kitchen tools, stick, and other items.

The major idol and the Samadhi will be found if we walk through the hall.

There is a huge stone under a tree just close to the temple. There is a big picture of the saint kept on that stone. Sai Baba is supposed to have meditated and preached while sitting on that stone.

Dwarkamayee Masjid or Dwarkamai is the name of the area that is the unique religious location where a mosque is housed within a temple. Since the temple's construction, a little lamp has been blazing there.

Near the saint's stone, several artifacts can be found. The walls are made of stone, while the roof is made of iron.

Chavadi, a tiny platform under a Neem tree, is also part of the temple compound. This is where Sai Baba used to relax when he was alive. The leaves of this tree are considered to have a pleasant flavor.

Importance of Sai Baba Temple

For Sai Baba devotees this temple is the most important holy place. This shrine houses his mortal remains, items that he uses daily, and other personal belongings.

The Samadhi is made up of white marble, while the temple's main figure is made of Italian marble. The temple's building has been intentionally kept modest to reflect the simplicity of the saint's life. The marble was selected to symbolize the saint's heart being as white as Italian marble.

With numerous gifts from pilgrims and locals, this temple is one of the wealthiest in the country. The temple receives roughly INR 14 lakhs in coins every week. The temple receives 2-4 crores in cash each week.

Location of Sai Baba Temple

This temple is located at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, in Shirdi town.

How to Reach Sai Baba Temple

The temple is well-known, so getting there is considerably simpler, even if you visit during the off-season.

By Road

Ahmednagar is around 84 kilometers away from Shirdi. Shirdi is accessible by direct buses (government and luxury coaches) from Mumbai, Aurangabad, Nasik, etc.

From the surrounding areas, taxis may be found that will take you directly to the temple. However, traffic would be high throughout the route, and the travel time will be greater than other forms of transportation.

By Train

Shirdi has a railway station that receives trains from India's major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and others.

By Flight

The closest airport to Shirdi is Sri Sai Baba Airport, which is just 15 kilometers from the temple. Delhi, Indore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Vijayawada have daily direct flights.

Many buses and cabs are available to take visitors to the temple from the airport.

Best Time to Visit Sai Baba Temple

The temple is at its most beautiful at all times of the year, and as a result, it attracts visitors and pilgrims throughout the year. The purpose of the stay determines the optimum time to visit.

If visitors want to have a colorful experience at the temple, go during one of the festivals, such as Diwali, Dussehra, Gudi Padwa, Guru Purnima, Holi, and others. September and October are the busiest months for celebrations.

It is recommended to visit the temple on Wednesday, Monday, or Tuesday to appreciate the temple's tranquility without the crowds. Only a few individuals will be inside the temple between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Visit on Wednesday night or Thursday if you're visiting for special ceremonies or auspicious days.

On Thursdays, his portrait is carried around the city on a palanquin from the temple, where worshippers can pray to it before the procession returns to the temple; the weather is hot and humid in the summer and uncomfortable for touring in the monsoon.

Special Festivals to Enjoy in the Temple

Almost every event associated with Lord Vishnu and other Hindu festivals is celebrated with joy in the temple. Ramnavami (March or April), Vijayadashami (September), and Guru Purnima (October) are the three most important Hindu festivals (July). Many programs, cultural festivities, unique rites, and other events occur at the temple, which will be open all night a day before. More celebrations take place at night, including bhajans and rituals.

Visitor Tips

• There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to attire. It would be OK if you were well-dressed. However, any dress covering you from the neck to below the knee is preferable.
• If you want wheelchair assistance, go to Gate 5 and get one for free.
• The priest will only take flowers. Any other gifts made to God will be incorporated into the ceremony and returned to the devotee.
• Visitors are the only responsible entity for their belongings in the middle of the crowd. It is recommended to avoid congested days while traveling with your youngster.