You book the bus, pack your bags, travel 5 hours — and reach Shirdi only to find a 3-hour darshan queue because you didn’t know about the free online pass. Or worse, you miss the Kakad Aarti by 10 minutes because nobody told you it starts at 5:15 AM. This guide tells you everything you need to know before you leave home.
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💡 Quick Answer: Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is open 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily. Free darshan is available — no ticket required. Online Aarti & VIP passes available at online.sai.org.in. Kakad Aarti at 5:15 AM (₹600). Thursday is the most sacred day — expect large crowds.
⚡ 2026 Update: Online booking portal upgraded — all darshan, aarti, accommodation and donation services now available at online.sai.org.in. Shawl donation (Chaddar seva) can also be registered online. Over 25,000 devotees visit daily — advance booking strongly recommended on weekends and festivals.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple — At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Temple Name | Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi |
| Location | Shirdi, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra |
| Deity | Sai Baba of Shirdi |
| Opening Hours | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM (daily) |
| Annual Visitors | 1 crore+ (1 million+ monthly) |
| Daily Visitors | 25,000 average; 1 lakh on Thursdays & festivals |
| Free Darshan | Yes — available all day |
| Official Website | sai.org.in |
| Online Booking | online.sai.org.in |
| Helpline | 02423-258500 |
Shirdi Temple Darshan Timings 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | Temple opens — Kakad Aarti preparations |
| 5:15 AM | Kakad Aarti (Morning Aarti) |
| 5:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Darshan open for devotees |
| 12:00 PM | Madhyan Aarti (Noon Aarti) — darshan pauses |
| 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Temple break — Darshan closed |
| 4:00 PM | Temple reopens for afternoon darshan |
| Sunset | Dhoop Aarti (Evening Aarti) — darshan pauses |
| After Dhoop Aarti | Darshan resumes until night |
| 10:30 PM | Shej Aarti (Night Aarti) |
| 11:00 PM | Temple closes |
Important: Darshan is paused during all four Aartis. If you are in the queue during Aarti time, you will wait until it ends. Plan your arrival accordingly.
Shirdi Aarti Timings & Ticket Price 2026
Four Aartis are performed daily at Samadhi Mandir. Each Aarti has a separate ticket and must be booked online.
| Aarti | Time | Ticket Price | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kakad Aarti | 5:15 AM | ₹600 | First morning aarti — most sought-after |
| Madhyan Aarti | 12:00 PM | ₹400 | Noon aarti — midday blessings |
| Dhoop Aarti | Sunset (~6:30 PM) | ₹400 | Evening aarti with incense |
| Shej Aarti | 10:30 PM | ₹400 | Night aarti — Baba’s bedtime ritual |
Aarti passes are separate from darshan passes. If you want aarti participation, book the specific aarti ticket on online.sai.org.in — it is not included in regular darshan.
Darshan Types & Booking 2026
| Darshan Type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Free General Darshan | FREE | No booking required. Join the regular queue. |
| Paid Darshan Pass | ₹200 | Faster queue — book online at online.sai.org.in |
| Online Live Darshan | FREE | Watch live at sai.org.in without visiting |
| Aarti Participation | ₹400–₹600 | Book aarti ticket separately |
Eligibility Note:
- Children below 10 years — not permitted for darshan
- Persons above 65 years — entry restrictions apply
- Pregnant women — advised against darshan for safety reasons
- Photography & videography — strictly prohibited inside sanctum
Online Darshan Booking — Step by Step
Official Portal: online.sai.org.in
Step 1 — Go to online.sai.org.in Step 2 — Click “Register” — create account with name, email and mobile number Step 3 — Login with your credentials Step 4 — Select service — Darshan Pass, Aarti Ticket or Accommodation Step 5 — Choose your preferred date and time slot Step 6 — Enter details of all visitors Step 7 — Pay via Credit/Debit Card, UPI or Net Banking Step 8 — Download confirmation — carry it on your phone or as a printout
Shirdi Samadhi Mandir — Key Sites Inside
| Site | Significance |
|---|---|
| Samadhi Mandir | Main shrine with Sai Baba’s marble idol above his tomb |
| Dwarkamai | Mosque where Sai Baba lived for 60+ years — sacred Dhuni (fire) still burning |
| Chavadi | Where Baba slept on alternate nights |
| Gurusthan | Spot where Baba was first seen meditating under a neem tree |
| Lendi Baug | Garden developed by Sai Baba — Nanda Deep (ever-burning lamp) |
| Prasadalaya | Free community kitchen — serves thousands daily, no charge |
How to Reach Shirdi 2026
| Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight | Shirdi International Airport (SAG) — 14 km from temple. Taxi ₹300–₹500 |
| Train | Sainagar Shirdi Station (SNSI) — 3 km from temple. Auto ₹50–₹80 |
| Bus from Mumbai | 242 km — 5 to 6 hours. Regular MSRTC buses available |
| Bus from Pune | 187 km — 3 to 4 hours |
| Bus from Nashik | 80 km — 1.5 to 2 hours — closest major city |
Shirdi Accommodation Booking 2026
The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust operates dharamshalas (pilgrim lodges) at highly subsidised rates.
| Option | How to Book |
|---|---|
| Sansthan Dharamshala | online.sai.org.in → Accommodation |
| Dwarawati Bhaktiniwas | online.sai.org.in |
| Sai Ashram Bhaktiniwas | online.sai.org.in |
| Private Hotels | Available near temple — book via regular portals |
Shirdi Visit Tips 2026
- 🕔 Arrive by 4:30 AM for Kakad Aarti — it fills up fast even with tickets
- 📅 Avoid Thursdays if you want shorter queues — up to 1 lakh visitors on Thursdays
- 🍽️ Eat at Prasadalaya — free meals, open to all regardless of religion
- 👕 Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees; shorts and sleeveless not allowed
- 📵 No photography inside the sanctum — keep phone in pocket
- 🌤️ Best months — October to February (cooler weather, comfortable darshan)
- 🏨 Book accommodation 2–3 weeks ahead on weekends and festival dates
- 🛑 No outside prasad — only Sansthan prasad allowed inside
FAQ
What are Shirdi Sai Baba temple timings in 2026?
The temple is open from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily. There is a break from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM when darshan is paused. Kakad Aarti begins at 5:15 AM and Shej Aarti at 10:30 PM.
Is Shirdi darshan free in 2026?
Yes, free general darshan is available without any booking. A paid pass of ₹200 is available for faster access. Aarti tickets are separate — Kakad Aarti ₹600, other Aartis ₹400.
How to book Shirdi darshan online in 2026?
Book at online.sai.org.in — register, select date, choose darshan or aarti slot, pay online and download confirmation. All services including accommodation are on the same portal.
Which day is best to visit Shirdi?
Monday to Wednesday mornings (5–9 AM) have the shortest queues. Thursday is Baba’s sacred day but draws up to 1 lakh visitors. Avoid Ram Navami, Guru Purnima and Vijayadashami if you want a quieter visit.
What is Kakad Aarti and how to book it?
Kakad Aarti is the first morning aarti at 5:15 AM — the most spiritually significant of the four daily aartis. Ticket price is ₹600. Book online at online.sai.org.in under the Aarti section. It is separate from the darshan pass.
What is the distance from Mumbai to Shirdi?
Shirdi is 242 km from Mumbai — approximately 5 to 6 hours by road. The nearest airport is Shirdi International Airport (SAG) at 14 km. The nearest railway station is Sainagar Shirdi (SNSI) at 3 km from the temple.
Sai Baba’s two core teachings — Shraddha (faith) and Saburi (patience) — guide millions to this doorstep every year. Book your pass at online.sai.org.in before you travel and experience his blessings without the wait. Om Sai Ram. 🙏
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