Shri Sai Baba is revered as one of the greatest saints ever seen in India, endowed with unprecedented powers, and is worshipped as a God incarnate. (SAI meaning Sakshaat Ishwar) – GOD THE ABSOLUTE.
About Sai Baba
This mysterious Fakir first made his appearance in Shirdi as a youth and remained there throughout his long life. He transformed the lives of those who met him and continuously is doing so even after his Samadhi in 1918 for those whose hearts are touched by his love and who pray and call him at any emergency in life for his blessings.
Baba stated that his mission is to “Give Blessings” without discrimination to all, and he proves it in myriad ways by healing the sick, saving lives, protecting the vulnerable, averting accidents, granting offspring, facilitating financial gain, bringing people into harmony within themselves and with each other and, above all, in effecting the spiritual evolution and transformation of those who came to him as the last resort.
Baba is, as one of his contemporary devotees put it, “The embodiment of the supreme spirit lighting the sadhakas (seekers’) path by his every word and action”.
To his devotees, Baba is nothing less than a God. This has been a matter of experience and not imaginary.
“I look at all with an equal eye”
An outstanding aspect of Sai Baba is that he is beyond distinctions of religion, caste or creed. He embodied all religions and preached the universal religion of love.
Sai Baba Temple at Shirdi
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is located about 270 kms from Mumbai in India .Shird is called the Land of Sai. The temple premises of Shri Saibaba is spread in approximately 200 sq. mtrs. It is situated in the heart of Shirdi village and is a major center of pilgrims from all over the world.
There are three temples in Shirdi temple complex (Lord Ganesh Temple Shirdi, Shani Temple Shirdi and Shiva Temple Shirdi) very near to Samadhi Temple.
On an average, daily 25,000 devotees visit Shirdi village, to have the Darshan of Shri Saibaba. In the festival season, more than 1,00,000 devotees visit the Temple everyday.
The Temple premises is renovated in the year 1998-99 and now is equipped with all necessary facilities like Darshan Lane, Prasadalay (Lunch and Dinner), Donation Counters, Prasad Counters, Canteen, Railway Reservation Counter, Book Stall etc. Also accommodation facilities are also provided by the Sansthan.
Temple schedule
- 4:30: Dwarkamai, Gurusthan, Chavadi open
- 5:00: Mandir opens, Bhupali, Abhishekam at Gurusthan
- 5:15: Kakad (morning) Arati, Naivedyam of butter and sugar to Baba in Samadhi Mandir, Oil offered to the lamps in Dwarkamai
- 5:40: Bhajan in Saibaba Mandir
- 6:00: Mangal Snaan (washing) of Statue and Samadhi in Samadhi Mandir
- 7:00: Darshan begins in Samadhi Mandir
- 9:00: Naivedyam in Samadhi Mandir and Dwarkamai
- 8:00 -10:30: Satyanarayana Pooja
- 11:30: Dhuni Pooja with rice and ghee in Dwarkamai
- 12:00: Mid day Arati
- 12:30: Naivedyam in Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai and Gurusthan
- 4:00: Pothi (Devotional reading/Study) in Samadhi Mandir Sunset: Dhoop (evening) Arati
- 6:30: Naivedyam in Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai and Gurusthan
- 8:00 – 9:00: Devotional Songs in Samadhi Mandir and other Cultural Programs (if any)
- 9:00: Chavadi and Gurusthan close
- 9:30: In Dwarkamai water is given to Baba, a mosquito net is hung and the hanging lamp is lit
- 9:45: Dwarkamai (the upper part) closes
- 10:30: Shejarati -Shej (night) Arati, after this , a shawl is wrapped around the statue in the Samadhi Mandir, a Rudraksha mala is put around baba’s neck, Mosquito net is hung, and a glass of water kept there
- 11:30: Samadhi Mandir closes after night Arati
How to Reach
By Air
The nearest airport to Shirdi is the Aurangabad Airport which is 130 kilometres away from Shridi. The airport is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. You can board a taxi or a cab or a bus to reach Shirdi from Aurangabad.
By Train
Kopergaon Railway Station, 16 kilometres away, is the nearest railway station to Shirdi. Kopergaon is well-connected to major cities of India through rail. State run buses, cabs, taxis and private buses are available from the station for Shirdi.
By Road
Maharashtra State Transport buses are available from major cities like Nashik, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Pune and Kopargaon to Shirdi. Private air-conditioned buses also ply from various cities of Maharashtra to Shirdi.
Shirdi lies on the Ahmednagar-Manmad Highway and is well-connected to major cities like Nashik, Mumbai and Pune by road. A trip to Shirdi in a car is worth trying as you pass through some interesting towns and villages. Shirdi is 75 kilometers from Nasik, 130 kilometers from Aurangabad, 157 kilometers from Pune and 250 kilometers from Mumbai.
