Some important tips one must bear in mind while planning a visit to Shirdi
- All formal worship of Shri Sai like Mangal Snan (Holy bath), Abhishek, Aarti are performed in the Samadhi temple only. The temple opens at 5.00 a.m. but the devotees make the darshan queue before 4.00 a.m..
- No offerings like garland, flowers, coconut, cloth etc. are accepted during Mangal Snan (Holy bath), ceremonial worship (Shodashopachaar) and aartis (all four aartis).
- The first ‘darshan’ of the day, begins after the morning programme of worship (Morning aarti, Mangal Snan, Shodashopachar ) at around 7.00 AM. The offering are accepted only during 'Darshan' hours
- Any offering like any ceremonial gift or cloth are registered in the Donation Office of the Trust before being offered in the temple. In case, devotees wish to take back the offered cloth as a token of blessing they need not to register the same in the office. The offered cloth and articles come for sale at sale counter of the trust. The public auction takes place on Thursday and Sunday around 10.00 a.m. near Satyanarayan puja hall.
- If devotee wishes to donate cash, should either deposit it in the Donation Office (with due receipt) or put it directly into one of the donation boxes, placed at all important places of temple complex.
- Photography (still or movie) is strictly prohibited during Mangal Snan (Holy bath) of Baba and Aartis (all four aartis). Devotees may take photographs during the hours of darshan only, for video recording a prior permission of the Temple-in-charge is required.
- In the Samadhi temple for standing in the main hall, the arrangement of queue for ladies and gents is separate. This should be particularly borne in mind while taking along the small children.
- There is by and large no restriction on darshan during the day in Dwarkamai masjid, Chawri, Gurusthan and Nanda deep except a few minutes while attending to the dhuni or offering food to Shri Sai.
- In Chawri ladies are not allowed to enter the section where Baba used to retire to sleep in old times.
- The main temple (Samadhi Mandir) is open from 5.00 AM to 10.30 PM, where as Dwarkamai masjid, Chawri, Gurusthan are closed around 8.30 PM.
- On the main day of celebrations on important occasions like Ram Navami, Dussehra, Guru purnima the temple is open throughout the night for darshan. On such occasions special programmes of devotional songs are organised by the Trust. On the days when the temple is open through night, the ‘Shej aarti’ (Night aarti) is not offered and the daily programme of the following day begins without the morning aarti (from Mangal Snan onwards).
- On every Thursday ‘Palki’ procession takes place at around 9.15 p.m. from Samadhi Mandir to Dwarkamai and then to Chawri. On important occasions like Ram Navami, Dussehra, Guru purnima, Shivratri and Ekadashi (Ashaad / Kartik) ‘Palki’ goes around the Shirdi village. Shej aarti (Night aarti) is offered only after the ‘Palki’ returns to the Samadhi temple.
- Always keep your footwear safely at the footwear-counter provided in the temple complex. If they are not deposited in the indicated place they may get lifted in no time!
- All the priests and workers in the temples are employees of the Shirdi Sai Sansthan. Therefore, no gifts or donations should be offered to them.
- Be cautious about the prices while taking the garland, coconut etc (as a package) from the nearby shops. You may avoid being overcharged by them.
- A similar word of caution for those who offer to donate milk to the dogs and food to the beggars.
- Avoid the touts for getting an accommodation. It is advisable to approach any hotel/lodge directly. There is a wide choice of hotels/lodges in Shirdi, suiting the budget of all.
For the convenience of devotees there are :
- A canteen for the tea/coffee/refreshments.
- A canteen ‘Prasadalay’ giving subsidised meals.
- Railway reservation counter (limited quota)
- State Transport Bus Booking Counter.
- A publication counter of the Sansthan (Sai leela magazine, Sai Satcharitra and other Sai literature)
- Lockers to keep the things safe when the visit to Shirdi is for a few hours at 'Sulabh' complex, situated near 'Prasadalaya'.
- Udi (sacred ash) is the most blessed thing to take home with you from this pilgrimage. It is distributed (a spoonful only) outside the Samadhi temple through the ‘Udi’ counter after Noon aarti and Evening aarti
