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Overview
Once a quiet little town in the state of Maharashtra, Shirdi is now a popular pilgrimage site. It was once the home of the Sai Baba of Shirdi, who came to the town first in 1854. Little is known about the history of Sai Baba, where he came from, who were his parents or even his real age. This just adds more to the mystique of the holy guru. His teachings and principles are quite unique too, wherein he doesn't advocate just one religion, but a unity of different religions. Both Hindus and Muslims, and even people from other religions, reach Shirdi to pay their respects to the holy guru. During his lifetime, Sai Baba has rendered many miracles to occur and his devotees stand as witnesses to these. Even up to this day, his holy presence can be felt when you visit the Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir.
The Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Complex
The Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Complex has several sections. Most important of which is the
Samadhi Mandir, where the mortal remains of the guru is located. This is also where the pure white life-sized marble statue of Sai Baba is located. The temple is also important because this is where Sai Baba breathed his last in 1918. Darshans and aartis are also done in this section of the complex. The mandir has undergone several renovations since it was built. Originally though, it was just a small garden which was then turned into a private resting house of the guru. Now, this section receives the most number of devotees in the complex.
If you're curious about the places where the guru slept during his lifetime, they are also open for visitors. Noteworthy of which is the
Dwarkamai, the dilapidated mosque where the guru stayed in for most of his life. The mosque was eventually repaired by a follower of the guru. This is also the place where the guru supposedly lit a lamp using water only. The
Chavadi is where the guru used to sleep in, it has two sections, one where the ladies are allowed and another where only the men are allowed, the room where the Sai Baba used to sleep specifically in.
You also cannot miss visiting the
Gurusthan, the place where the guru first stayed in during his first few years in Shirdi. Also located here is the famous Neem Tree where the guru used to meditate and pray. While you cannot visit the graves underneath it, supposedly Sai Baba's gurus graves, you can still pay your respect to them. Also a must visit is the
Khandoba Temple, where the guru officially got his name from, when Mhalsapati referred to him as Sai Baba.
There are also different
temples or
shrines within the complex, dedicated to different Hindu deities and Jain saints. These temples are the epitome of the guru's philosophy as they co-exist in harmony within the premises. Lastly, the
Lendi Gardens, where the guru used to spend his solitary time in, is also a must visit when in the complex.
A Typical Schedule in the Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Complex
| Time | Program/Schedule | Section |
| 4:00 am | Opening Time | Whole Complex |
| 4:15 am | Bhupali | Gurusthan |
| 4:30 am to 5:00 am | Morning Aarti (Kakad) | Samadhi Mandir |
| 5:00 am | Bhajan | Samadhi Mandir |
| 5:05 am | Holy Bath of Shri Sai Baba (Mangal Snaan) | Samadhi Mandir |
| 5:35 am | Aarti (Shirdi Majhe Pandharpur) | Samadhi Mandir |
| 5:40 am | Beginning of Darshan | Samadhi Mandir |
| 11:30 am | Dhuni Pooja with Rice and Ghee | Dwarkamai |
| 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm | Mid-Day Aarti (Madhyana) | Samadhi Mandir |
| 4:00 pm | Pothi (Devotional Reading/Study) | Samadhi Mandir |
| 6:00 pm to 6:20 pm | Evening Aarti (Dhoop) | Samadhi Mandir |
| 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Devotional Songs & Cultural Programmes | Samadhi Mandir |
| 9:00 pm | Closing of Some Sections | Chavadi and Gurusthan |
| 9:30 pm | Water Offering to Sai Baba, Mosquito Net is Hung and Lamp is Lit | Dwarkamai |
| 9:45 | Closing of Some Sections | Dwarkamai (Upper Part) |
| 10:30 pm to 10:50 pm | Night Aarti (Shej) | Samadhi Mandir |
| 11:15 pm | Closing | Whole Complex Including Samadhi Mandir |
This is a typical schedule in the Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Complex. As you can see, the Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Complex opens as early as 4:00 am and closes late in the night at 11:15 pm. The earliest program is the Bhupali which is conducted in the Gurusthan at 4:15 am. The last program is the Night Aarti conducted in the Samadhi Mandir at about 10:30 pm. Most of the programs though are conducted in the Samadhi Mandir, a few in Dwarkamai. Aarti timings are also indicated above but we would discuss them more deeply below.
Aartis in Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Complex
| Aarti | Other Name | Timing |
| Morning Aarti | Kakad Aarti | 4:30 am to 5:00 am |
| Mid-Day Aarti | Madhya Aarti | 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm |
| Evening Aarti | Dhoop Aarti | 6:00 pm to 6:20 pm |
| Night Aarti | Shej Aarti | 10:30 pm to 10:50 pm |
This table depicts all the timings of the aartis done in the Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Complex. As you can see, there are four aartis done in one day, namely: Morning Aarti (Kakad), Mid-Day Aarti (Madhya), Evening Aarti (Dhoop) and Night Aarti (Shej). The Morning Aarti is done between 4:30 am to 5:00 am. The Mid-Day Aarti is done between 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm. The Evening Aarti is done between 6:00 pm to 6:20 pm or during sunset. Lastly, the Night Aarti is done between 10:30 pm to 10:50 pm, just before the complex closes for the night.
Conclusion
The schedules above would give you a complete overview of typical program timings in the Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir Complex. The temple complex ones as early as 4:00 am and closes as late as 11:15 pm. For the Evening Aarti, this is done between 6:00 pm to 6:20 pm in the Samadhi Mandir of the complex. Exact timings vary because the Evening Aarti is usually done during sunset. Just make sure that you reach the temple complex before the setting of the sun to participate or watch the Evening Aarti.
I hope this helps you.
