Sai Baba Samadhi Temple is a sacred shrine dedicated to Shri Sai Baba, a revered spiritual leader who lived and preached in Shirdi, Maharashtra. The temple is also known as Shri Saibaba Sansthan Temple or Sai Baba Mandir. It is the main attraction of Shirdi and attracts millions of devotees from all over the world. Visit during Shirdi tour Package From Mumbai and Pune.
Location of Sai Baba Samadhi Temple
Sai Baba Samadhi Temple is located in the heart of Shirdi town, about 270 km from Mumbai and 122 km from Nashik. The temple is situated on the premises of Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, which is the governing and administrative body of the temple and other temples on this premise.
Timing of Sai Baba Samadhi Temple
The temple is open to visitors from 4 am to 11 pm every day. The temple follows a daily schedule of rituals and ceremonies that are performed by the priests and devotees. The timings of the main rituals are as follows:
- 4:00 am – Temple opens
- 4:15 am – Bhupali (a devotional song)
- 4:30 am – Kakad Aarti (morning prayer)
- 5:00 am – Mangal Snan (holy bath) of Sai Baba’s idol in Samadhi Mandir
- 5:35 am – Aarti “Shirdi Majhe Pandharpur” (a hymn)
- 5:40 am – Darshan begins in Samadhi Mandir
- 11:30 am – Dhuni Pooja (worship of the sacred fire) with rice and ghee in Dwarkamai (the mosque where Sai Baba lived)
- 12:00 pm – Madhyana Aarti (noon prayer)
- 4:00 pm – Pothi (devotional reading/study) in Samadhi Mandir
- At sunset – Dhoop Aarti (evening prayer)
- 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm – Devotional songs in Samadhi Mandir and cultural programs
- 10:30 pm – Shej Aarti (night prayer)
- 11:15 pm – Temple closes
Rituals in Sai Baba Samadhi Temple
The temple follows a strict code of conduct for the devotees who wish to participate in the rituals and ceremonies. The devotees have to follow certain rules such as wearing clean clothes, removing shoes, maintaining silence, etc. The devotees can also offer various items such as flowers, fruits, sweets, clothes, etc., to Sai Baba at the temple. The devotees can also perform Abhishek (ritual bathing) of Sai Baba’s idol with water or milk at a separate hall near the temple. The devotees can also book online for various rituals such as Satyanarayan Pooja, Sai Satya Vrat Pooja, etc., through the official website of Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust.
Things to Do / Must See in Sai Baba Samadhi Temple
- Have a darshan (viewing) of Sai Baba’s idol and samadhi (tomb) in Samadhi Mandir. The idol is made of white marble and depicts Sai Baba sitting on a throne with a serene expression. The samadhi is made of black stone and is covered with a golden cloth. The devotees can touch the samadhi and seek blessings from Sai Baba.
- Attend the aartis (prayers) that are performed four times a day in Samadhi Mandir. The aartis are accompanied by musical instruments and devotional songs that create a divine atmosphere. The devotees can also join in singing the aartis along with the priests.
- Visit the other temples on the premise such as Gurusthan (the place where Sai Baba first appeared as a young boy), Dwarkamai (the mosque where Sai Baba lived), Chavadi (the place where Sai Baba used to sleep every alternate night), Lendi Baug (the garden where Sai Baba used to water plants and rest), Khandoba Mandir (the temple where Sai Baba was first addressed as “Sai”), etc.
- Visit the museum that displays various articles related to Sai Baba such as his clothes, utensils, footwear, etc. The museum also has some rare photographs of Sai Baba and his devotees.
- Visit the library that has a collection of books and magazines on Sai Baba and his teachings. The library also has a digital section that has audio and video recordings of Sai Baba’s aartis, bhajans, discourses, etc.
- Visit the Prasadalaya (dining hall) that serves free meals to the devotees every day. The Prasadalaya can accommodate up to 5,000 people at a time and serves simple and hygienic food. The devotees can also donate money or food grains for the Prasadalaya.
- Visit the Shri Saibaba Superspeciality Hospital and Shri Sainath Hospital that provide free medical services to the needy. The hospitals are run by Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust and have modern facilities and equipment. The hospitals also conduct various health camps and awareness programs for the benefit of the society.
Significance of Sai Baba Samadhi Temple
Sai Baba Samadhi Temple is a sacred shrine that commemorates the life and teachings of Shri Sai Baba, a revered spiritual leader who lived and preached in Shirdi, Maharashtra. Sai Baba is regarded as an incarnation of God by his devotees who belong to different religions and sects. Sai Baba taught the universal principles of love, peace, harmony, faith, and patience to his followers. He also performed many miracles such as healing the sick, granting wishes, etc., to help his devotees. He also delivered the universal slogan of “Shraddha – Saburi”, i.e., Faith and Patience for everyone.
Sai Baba Samadhi Temple is a place where all heads bow down in prayer, where faith prevails, where hopes are built, where patience pays, and where infinite joy and everlasting contentment abound. Such is the glory of the place that belongs to Sai Baba, who pleased all with pious equality and gifted mankind ornaments of humanity and peace by saying “Sabka Malik Ek”, i.e., God is One.
FAQ’s
Q: Is Sai Baba Samadhi Temple suitable for children?
A: Yes, Sai Baba Samadhi Temple is suitable for children as it has educational and cultural value for them. The temple teaches them about the history and spirituality of Sai Baba and his devotees. The temple also offers them a chance to see and learn about various artifacts, photographs, paintings, etc., related to Sai Baba.
Q: What are the best times to visit Sai Baba Samadhi Temple?
A: The best times to visit Sai Baba Samadhi Temple are from October to March when the weather is pleasant and cool. The summer months from April to June can be hot and humid while the monsoon months from July to September can be rainy and crowded.
Q: What are some other attractions near Sai Baba Samadhi Temple?
A: Some other attractions near Sai Baba Samadhi Temple are:
Wet N Joy Water Park: A water park that offers various rides and slides for fun and entertainment. It is located about 1 km from the temple.
Shani Shingnapur: A village that is famous for its temple dedicated to Lord Shani (Saturn), one of the nine planets in Hindu astrology. It is also known for its unique tradition of having no doors or locks in the houses as the villagers believe that Lord Shani protects them from any theft or crime. It is located about 65 km from the temple.
Nashik: A city that is known for its religious and historical significance. It is one of the four places where the Kumbh Mela (a mass Hindu pilgrimage) takes place every 12 years. It is also home to various temples such as Trimbakeshwar (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva), Kalaram Mandir (where Lord Rama stayed during his exile), Sita Gufa (where Sita was abducted by Ravana), etc. It is located about 122 km from the temple.
Conclusion
Sai Baba Samadhi Temple is a sacred shrine that commemorates the life and teachings of Shri Sai Baba, a revered spiritual leader who lived and preached in Shirdi, Maharashtra. The temple is also known as Shri Saibaba Sansthan Temple or Sai Baba Mandir. It is the main attraction of Shirdi and attracts millions of devotees from all over the world.
Sai Baba Samadhi Temple follows a daily schedule of rituals and ceremonies that are performed by the priests and devotees. The devotees can also offer various items such as flowers, fruits, sweets, clothes, etc., to Sai Baba at the temple. The devotees can also perform Abhishek (ritual bathing) of Sai Baba’s idol with water or milk at a separate hall near the temple.
The temple also has other temples on its premise such as Gurusthan, Dwarkamai, Chavadi, Lendi Baug, Khandoba Mandir, etc
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