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The holy land of Shirdi attracts lakhs of visitors every year, for a glimpse of Sai Baba’s samadhi (tomb) and marble idol, renowned for their divine powers. But, did you know that Shirdi is also home to many other places of spiritual significance that you can visit during your trip?
Yes, regardless of whether you’re visiting with family, friends, partner, or solo, you don’t have to just be confined to your room after your temple darshan. There are several interesting things to do in Shirdi to make your trip more wholesome and memorable.
As a devotee who visits Shirdi every year, let me take you through a complete Shirdi travel guide in this article –– from the best places to visit in Shirdi, must-visit food joints, ideal way to commute and a lot more. Are you ready to begin a virtual tour of Shirdi with me?
Contents
Top 3 Highlights Of Our Shirdi Trip
# The magical powers of stepping on this land
Not just the Samadhi Mandir, the entire land of Shirdi has an inexplicable spiritual aura and vibe that calms my mind and soul. Just stepping into Shirdi puts me at peace and switches on my zen mode. And, everytime I catch a glimpse of the glowing idol in the main Sai Baba Temple, I instantly end up in happy tears. I have not been able to understand the reason behind it yet.
Also, some of my far-fetched dreams and wishes had been fulfilled after I offered prayers here a few years ago. Since then, I make it a point to start every new year with a trip to Shirdi. And, I have heard that thousands of devotees have experienced the same here.
# The best Mysore Masala Dosa
Can you believe it if I said that after having traveled and dined extensively across all the south Indian states, I found my favorite Mysore Masala Dosa in Shirdi? Believe it or not, it’s true!
Located very close to the temple, the Sai Sagar Food Court offers the most delicious mashed potato masala and red chutney inside their crisp dosa. The filling is so scrumptious that everytime I think about the Mysore Masala Dosa from here, I start drooling. The restaurant offers several other delicious food options too, but more on that in an upcoming section.
# The spectacle of the devotional attractions
All of Shirdi’s sightseeing places are soaked in devotion and spirituality. Be it the newly-launched Sai Devotional Theme Park, Sai Heritage Village, or Sai Prasadalay, all the places in Shirdi are visual spectacles that narrate a unique tale about the almighty and his connection with us humans.
I will share more details and the specialty of each tourist attraction a little later in the article. Now, let’s talk about when you can plan your visit to Shirdi.
The answer to this depends on whether you’re looking for a less-crowded time for your darshan, or if you wish to see the grandeur with which Shirdi celebrates major festivals. For those of you who don’t mind the huge crowds, the festivals of Vijay Dashami (October 12, 2024), Guru Purnima (July 21, 2024), and Ram Navami (April 17, 2024) are celebrated with huge fervor by the temple as well as the locals of Shirdi.
Apart from these festivals, Thursdays are also usually crowded as it is considered an auspicious day as per the Sai Charitra. Thus, a large number of locals and tourists visit the temple on this day to seek divine blessings.
One of the best things to do in Shirdi is to participate in or view the grand palkhi (palanquin) procession on Thursdays and the above-mentioned festivals. As part of this event, Sai Baba’s holy padukas (slippers) along with his photo frame are taken around the temple premises, joined by hoards of devotees who follow the palanquin.
Weekends are also quite jam-packed as most tourists plan their Shirdi trip between Friday and Sunday. So, for a more convenient darshan, weekdays would be an ideal choice.
In terms of the weather, October to February is cool and pleasant in Shirdi. The hotter summer months and rainy season may not be most ideal, as you might have to walk barefoot around the temple premises for a while.
TWT Tip: If you would like to witness another grand celebratory occasion in this holy town, it would be a good idea to visit during the Shirdi Parikrama (held on February 13 every year). We found out about it during our last trip and it turned out to be a spectacular event! Thousands of Shirdi’s locals participate in the grand palanquin procession, which starts from Khandoba Mandir at 5 am and moves throughout the town till afternoon, with folk dancers, bands, and children dressed in colorful attire. The local hotels offer water, tea, coffee and food to the procession participants on the way. It is celebrated to mark the event when Sai Baba warded off Cholera by marking Shirdi’s borders with wheat flour.
12 Best Places To Visit In Shirdi
1. Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir
This is the main temple of Shirdi where Sai Baba’s samadhi is laid. Right ahead of the samadhi stands the pristine white marble idol of Sai Baba, considered a reincarnation of God. Just a gaze at the idol can evoke your spiritual senses.
Akin to a living deity, Sai Baba’s idol is offered food, water and prayers every single morning, afternoon, evening and night by the temple’s priests.
So whether you’re a devotee or just a tourist interested in Indian culture, it’s a sensory treat to watch the pooja proceedings inside the temple, as soulful bhajans are rendered by the priests, while the crowds chant ‘Om Sai Ram’ with unbelievable devotion in their voices.
Don’t miss visiting the Neem tree inside the temple premises right after your darshan. Called Gurusthan, it is known as Sai Baba’s guru’s place where he used to spend a lot of time. Thus, you will find many devotees looking for one fallen leaf to take back home.
You can also visit the Maruti Mandir (dedicated to Lord Hanuman) right after exiting the temple.
Note: Remember to leave your phones in your hotel rooms or deposit in the locker room before entering the temple.
Timings: 4:45 AM to 10 Pm
Darshan ticket: Free for longer queue & INR 200 per person for shorter queue
Aarti ticket: INR 600 for 5 am aarti & INR 400 for remaining aartis
TWT Tip: If you would like to spend more time inside the temple, booking an aarti ticket would be more satisfying. This is because devotees who come for just darshan are not allowed to stay for very long inside the temple. They are often shoved away quickly by the officials in order to manage the crowds. That is why I usually prefer to get an aarti ticket whenever available, as we can stay inside the temple for almost 1 hour during aarti.
2. Dwarkamai
Located very close to the exit point of the main temple, this is where Sai Baba used to reside for several days back when he was alive. You will find Baba’s sacred grinding stone and hearth here. However, the highlight of this mosque is the dhuni, a sacred fire pit that has been gloriously lit for decades now ever since Baba built it as an ode to fire god Agni.
The ashes from the dhuni used to be distributed by Baba among his devotees. The same tradition is followed till date and packets of vibhuti (sacred ashes from the dhuni) are offered to all devotees before leaving the temple.
Situated adjacent to Dwarkamai, Chavadi is a small temple where you will find Sai Baba’s old cot even today! This is where he used to sleep on alternate nights. Thus, his photo, along with some of his belongings, is brought in weekly processions to the Chavadi to this day.
You will find absolute silence and peace here as devotees are prohibited from talking inside the Chavadi. Women and men are divided into 2 different queues before entering and many people sit and meditate here for some time.
You can also check out Sai Baba’s follower Abdul Baba’s Cottage located right opposite Chavadi.
This lush green garden is situated right outside the temple. It is a significant spot as Sai Baba used to visit the garden for a walk every day.
Here, you will find a well that was used by Sai Baba and the sacred Nanda Deep, an oil lamp that he was very particular about lighting every evening. Until this day, the diya is continuously lit and many devotees light their own earthen lamps here as an offering to Baba.
I highly recommend sitting on these lawns for a while and soaking in the beautiful breeze and shade of the trees. The place offers unparalleled peace and tranquility.
This is another holy attraction that you can cover immediately after your temple visit as the museum is situated within the temple premises. It displays several belongings of Sai Baba, such as his footwear, robes, utensils, smoking pipe and bathing stone. You will also find several framed photographs of Sai Baba that were actually shot when he was alive.
One of the best places to visit in Shirdi, Sai Heritage Village replicates the old Shirdi and several moments of Sai Baba’s life, created using realistic life-size sculptures. So as you walk around the shaded village, you will see various models of Sai Baba sitting in the village with his disciples, him serving food to people, his daily processions and a lot more.
It’s a visual treat to watch scenes from Baba’s time come to life in the form of those colorful replicas, placed amidst sapota trees. Built on a sprawling open-air ground, you’ll also find a large lawn and interactive kids’ zones where they host magic shows, adventure rides and offer food stalls.
Looking for hotels in Shirdi? Book your room at the top stays!
7. Sai Teerth Devotional Theme Park
This newly-opened grand theme park is another must-visit sightseeing place in Shirdi. It offers 4 main attractions.
We began with a mesmerizing teerth yatra, a toy train ride that takes you through stunning replicas of the major pilgrim sites of India.
Next, you will find a 5D theatre that plays a film on Lord Hanuman’s lanka dahan, a chapter of Indian mythological epic Ramayana. The other 2 attractions include a film on Sai Baba’s life and a play depicting incidents from his life with light & sound displays.
You will also find several food stalls, souvenir shops, and water fountains in the premises. We bought a fridge magnet featuring the text ‘Shirdi’ from one of the stores here.
Be prepared to spend at least three hours here before you visit and plan your day accordingly.
TWT Tip: Though the main attractions inside the theme park are indoors and air-conditioned, planning your visit in the evening after 4 PM would be ideal. As you enter, you can finish clicking your photographs and then enjoy the beautifully-lit evening ambience after completing your shows/rides.
Timings: 10 to 6 PM for buying entry tickets (you will be allowed to stay inside till 8 PM)
The perfect place to visit for families with kids, this massive water park offers over 25 exhilarating water rides and adventures. From wave pools exclusively designed for kids, to huge water slides that can accommodate families, rain dance arena and multi-racer rides, there are a variety of options for everyone in your family at Wet n Joy Water Park.
Once you’re exhausted from all the thrills, you can eat to your heart’s content at the park’s multi-cuisine food court or restaurant. The park also offers locker facilities to keep your belongings safely during the rides.
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM (all days)
Entry: Price starts from INR 699 for child and INR 899 for adult for week days. The charges are higher on weekends and major public holidays. They also offer various combo packages that you can check out on their official website.
Khandoba temple is an important place to see in Shirdi as Sai Baba was spotted at this very place for the first time when he entered Shirdi. The banyan tree under which he first sat is still present in the temple.
As per folklore, the priest of the temple Mhalsapati welcomed him into Shirdi by saying, “Aao Sai”, which means “Come Sai.” Since then, he was called Sai Baba and he lived in Shirdi for the rest of his life. In its main shrine, the temple houses the idol of Lord Khandoba, believed to be an avatar of Lord Shiva.
This is one of the only few temples in India where the Ganesha idol has 5 faces and resembles Lord Vishnu’s form. You will find the idol seated on a serpent called Adiseshu.
Just a 10-minute drive from Shirdi’s main Samadhi temple, the Panchmukhi Vishnu Ganpati Temple’s idol is believed to fulfill all your wishes. That is why you will find many devotees whispering their wishes into the idol’s ears.
Whether you’re Sai Baba’s devotee or just an architectural enthusiast, this place can be a stopover for both kinds. Located on the outskirts of Shirdi, it is a quiet and tranquil place that is also known as Sakori Ashram or Kanya Kumari Sthan.
The ashram was built by Sai Baba’s staunch disciple Upasani Maharaj as a spiritual gurukul for girls. You will also find temples dedicated to Sai Baba’s first priest and Lord Ganesha.
The temples here offer a sneak peek into the architectural style of the early 19th century.
You can’t help but observe and appreciate the intricate lattices and interiors of the temples.
One of the most famous places in Shirdi, Shri Sai Prasadalay feeds more than 50,000 people for free everyday! The numbers are much higher on festivals and special occasions.
It was created in 2009 to continue the legacy of Sai Baba, who used to regularly cook and feed the poor back when he was alive. The building features massive dining halls with a total seating capacity of 4,500 people at one time.
Hygienic meals consisting of rice, dal, roti, curries and a sweet are prepared everyday with the help of 73 solar panels present on the building’s roof. R.O purified water is served to all devotees, while the leftovers from plates is converted to renewable energy through their bio gas plant.
Did You Know?
Shri Sai Prasadalay has been recognized as the “world’s largest solar-powered free food kitchen”. It has received several awards for saving lakhs of rupees for Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust till date.
If you don’t have a tight itinerary, there are several spiritual, religious and historical places to visit near Shirdi within 2-4 hours. We have even visited destinations like Mumbai, Pune and Lonavala after our Shirdi darshan, which takes 5-6 hours from here.
Here are some places near Shirdi that you can cover in a day trip from here:
1. Shani Shingnapur – Home to a famous Shani temple, this village’s residents don’t lock their doors even at night due to their firm belief in Lord Shani.
2. Pandavleni Caves – Perched atop a hill in Nashik, the caves were constructed over 2,000 years ago by Jain kings.
3. Trimbakeshwar Jyothirling Mandir – One of the 12 jyothirlingas of Lord Shiva, it is considered a very important shrine in the Hindu culture.
4. Ramkund – Located along the banks of Godavari river in Nashik, this bathing tank is widely believed to have been used by Lord Ram during his exile period, as per the mythological epic Ramayana. During your visit, you can also cover the nearby Kalaram Temple and Kapaleshwar Mahadev Mandir.
5. Alandi – A scenic 13th century town situated on the banks of river Indrayani, it houses a temple dedicated to Saint Dnyaneshwar.
6. Coin Museum – This coin museum in Nashik features rare Indian currencies of several centuries, including coins of the Gupta, Ujjain and Vallabha kingdoms, besides various historical relics and artifacts.
7. Ellora Caves – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these 34 rock-cut caves date back to the 6th century. They feature various monuments and temples with intricate architecture created by Buddhists, Jains and Hindus over several centuries.
8. Bhimashankar – Another jyothirlinga of Lord Shiva, the temple features Nagara architecture and is surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary, which you can also cover during your visit.
9. Daulatabad Fort – Nestled on a tranquil hill near Aurangabad, this majestic fort was constructed with several secret escape passages in the 12th century. It has been a capital of several rulers, including the Yadavas and Delhi sultanates.
10. Bhandardara – A perfect getaway for nature lovers, Bhandardara is a small hill town that is home to waterfalls, lakes, mountains, dam and the Pravara river.
Best Eateries In Shirdi
Shirdi is packed with tons of eateries in every little corner around the Samadhi Mandir. However, there are very few restaurants that actually serve good food. Here are our top picks from the ones we tried and some highly rated restaurants:
Sai Sagar Food Court – Mysore Masala Dosa, Poori Bhaji, Uthappam, Rava Dosa, South Indian & North Indian meals
Kailash Parbat – Chaats, Chole Bhature, Pani Poori, Pav Bhaji
From affordable family stays to luxurious properties, Shirdi offers tons of options for devotees visiting the holy town. Here are some of the top-rated accommodations in Shirdi as per your budget:
Things To Keep In Mind Before Your Shirdi Temple Visit
Firstly, remember to keep your phones and gadgets in your room, as they are not allowed inside the temple. Alternatively, you can deposit them in the official lockers outside the temple, which usually have long queues.
You can visit the temple for free or opt for paid darshan. The free darshan queue is usually longer and more crowded.
You can spend more time (around 45 minutes) inside the temple if you opt for aarti tickets.
Many vendors outside the temple lure devotees to buy flowers and other puja items for offering to Sai Baba’s samadhi. However, you can avoid making such purchases, as the temple priests don’t accept any such items. Monetary offerings for the temple are only allowed in the hundi (cash drop box) or the official donation office.
Photography and videography are strictly not allowed inside the temple. Just in case you want photographs of yourself with the main idol of Sai Baba, you will find vendors outside the temple offering photoshopped printed images of yourself with the idol.
Besides the main Samadhi Mandir, the temple premises has 3 more temples of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Lord Shani, which you can visit before you step out. You can also cover the Dixit Wada Museum, Neem Tree (Gurusthan), and Lendi Baug before you come out of the temple gate.
The temple has an area called ‘Mukh Darshan’ from where you can get a glimpse of the main idol from a distance, without having to actually go inside the temple. Many locals and tourists who have already completed their darshan visit this area for a quick glimpse before leaving. This is mainly to avoid getting into the long queues once again.
TWT Tip: The temple already gets huge donations from devotees. So, if you would like to follow Sai Baba’s path of feeding the needy, buy some good food for the poor people or stray dogs outside the temple. I usually do this, rather than dropping money at the hundi, as service to the needy is equivalent to service to god.
2-Day Itinerary For Shirdi
Day 1
Begin your Shirdi trip with a visit to Sai Baba’s Samadhi Mandir, a temple known for its miraculous healing powers. Cover Lendi Baug, Dixit Wada Museum and Gurusthan (Neem Tree) before exiting the temple.
After your darshan, indulge in delicious tiffins like Masala Dosa and Poori Bhaji at Sai Sagar Food Court, which is situated right outside the temple.
After your hunger is satiated, visit Chavadi, Dwarmakai and Hanuman Temple, which are located adjacent to each other around the temple premises.
Next, purchase Shirdi’s famous prasad like Pedas and Mishri or Sai Baba’s souvenirs from one of the many stores outside the temple. You can also get some delicious Guavas, locally grown here, from one of the many vendors.
Have a delicious free meal for lunch at Sai Prasadalay and then rest for a while.
Head to Sai Heritage Village before sunset. You can easily spend an hour here and then retire for the day.
Day 2
Start your day by visiting the Panchmukhi Vishnu Ganapati Temple.
Then head to Khandoba Mandir and take an auto/taxi to Upasani Maharaj Ashram.
Shop for traditional Maharashtrian clothing and souvenirs at any of the shops around the Sai Baba Temple.
Post lunch, have an adventurous time at the Wet N Joy Water Park. Alternatively, you can also visit Shani Shingnapur and come back within 3-4 hours, if you’re not interested in a water park.
Reach the Sai Teerth Devotional Park by around 4 PM and enjoy the rides for 3 hours. Before exiting, check out the shops and food stalls.
Before ending the day, you can opt for a quick Mukh Darshan at the Samadhi Mandir.
TWT Experience Summary Of Shirdi
Personally, I start every new year with a visit to Shirdi, due to my strong belief in Sai Baba’s divine blessings. And every visit has been soaked in inexplicable peace of mind, spirituality and inner happiness.
Besides the devotional aspect, the place and the temple are also a huge reflection of India’s culture and traditions. Be it the bhajans and aartis sung inside the temple everyday, or the large gathering of pilgrims and the hope in their eyes, Shirdi offers an interesting peek into the cultural side of the country.
During my most recent visits, I also discovered how Shirdi offers so many interesting sightseeing options such as the Sai Teerth Devotional Park and Sai Heritage Village, besides delicious food options and getaways.
But, you know what’s most interesting? It is to witness how the temple committee and locals of Shirdi have been following and taking forward Sai Baba’s traditions until this day, such as the palki seva (palanquin procession) every Thursday, or the massive free meals served to thousands of visitors irrespective of their social status at the Sai Prasadalay.
So, are you ready to discover an unknown side of Shirdi during your next visit?
Frequently Asked Questions About Shirdi
1. What are the top attractions in Shirdi during a trip with family, kids and friends?
Apart from Sai Baba’s Samadhi Mandir, Shirdi’s must-visit spots for families, children and friends are Sai Teerth Devotional Park, Sai Heritage Village, and the Wet N Joy Water Park. These make for great picnic spots in Shirdi. You can also visit the iconic Sai Prasadalay to taste the delicious free meals.
2. How can we reach Shirdi?
If you prefer to fly, Shirdi has an international airport with good connectivity from several major cities across the world. For domestic travel within India, you can opt for train or AC sleeper/seater volvo buses from your city. The only railway station in Shirdi is the Sainagar Shirdi station. However, for more flexible timings, devotees also book their train ticket to and from Manmad and Nagarsol railway stations.
3. What is the best way to commute within Shirdi?
If you book a hotel close to the Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, many places such as Chavadi, Dwarakai, prasad stores and eateries are at a walkable distance from the temple. To explore other places in Shirdi, the most affordable option is sharing autos, which take multiple passengers at a time. For a more comfortable commute, you can opt for taxis and regular autos.
4. How is the weather like in Shirdi?
Shirdi’s weather, like most places in Maharashtra, is on the hotter side. During day time, it is usually quite sultry throughout the year. Thus, winters (October to February) are the most ideal time to visit Shirdi, as the weather is cooler and more pleasant, compared to the summer and rainy season.
5. In how many days can you cover Shirdi?
Shirdi’s major tourist spots and attractions can be easily covered within 2 days. However, if you wish to experience a more relaxed and slow travel itinerary, you can opt for one of the affordable stays and explore the town’s culture and traditions in depth.
6. How long can darshan at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple take to complete?
Darshan usually takes around half an hour as the temple officials don’t allow visitors to stay inside the temple for too long, in order to manage the large crowds. However, if you opt for an aarti ticket, the darshan takes around around an hour to complete.
7. What are the timings of darshan and aarti at Shirdi Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir?
The Shirdi Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir opens at 4:45 AM and closes at 10 PM everyday. However, darshan slots for the public start at 6 AM and the last entry is allowed at 9 PM. Aarti takes place 4 times in a day – 6:30 AM, 12 noon, 6:30 PM and 10 PM.
Sharmistha, who also happens to be our founder, is an award-winning alumna of the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media. During her 10-year stint as a journalist, she has worked for major newspapers, including the Times of India & The New Indian Express. She is also a certified travel writer, trained by the bestselling author Dave Fox and award-winning sustainable travel writer Shivya Nath. Sharmistha has traveled to over 25 destinations within India so far. Read More
6 thoughts on “Visiting Shirdi? These Are The Best Places To See Within 2 Days ”
Veri nicely written and useful article for followers of Sai Baba. Om Sai Ram.
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very helpful, thanks for posting it
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Thank you for the useful information provided, to help plan our trip.
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