Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Timings 2026: Aarti Schedule

Q: What time is Kakad Aarti at Shirdi?

Kakad Aarti, the first aarti of the morning, is held at 4:15 AM, shortly after the temple opens. It is one of the quietest darshan windows of the day and a favourite among early-rising pilgrims.

Q: Is general darshan free at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?

Yes, general darshan is completely free and requires no ticket. Separate paid options exist, VIP darshan for a faster queue, and paid aarti passes for pilgrims who want to attend a specific aarti directly.

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple white marble courtyard with Sai Baba statue, Shirdi, Maharashtra

Temple Opens 4:00 AM

Temple Closes 11:15 PM

Entry Fee Free general darshan

Location Shirdi, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra

Shirdi Sai Baba Aarti Schedule 2026

Shirdi's day is structured around four aartis, each with its own devotional character. The Kakad Aarti at dawn and the Shej Aarti at night are quieter, more intimate sessions, while the Dhoop Aarti at sunset draws the largest evening crowds.

Aarti Name	Time	Notes
Kakad Aarti	4:15 AM	Morning waking aarti, quietest darshan window of the day
Madhyan Aarti	12:00 PM	Midday offering, moderate crowds
Dhoop Aarti	~6:30 PM (sunset)	Busiest aarti of the day, waits of 3-4 hours common
Shej Aarti	10:30 PM	Final aarti of the night, temple closes shortly after

How Darshan Works at Shirdi

General darshan at Shirdi is free and requires no advance ticket, pilgrims simply join the queue that winds through the temple complex's covered walkways. Given the temple's massive daily footfall, particularly on Thursdays (considered especially significant for Sai Baba devotees) and during weekends, the free queue can run anywhere from under an hour on a quiet morning to several hours during peak periods.

Paid aarti passes are available separately for pilgrims who specifically want to attend a named aarti, Kakad Aarti passes cost around ₹600 and other aarti passes around ₹400, bookable up to 60 days in advance through the official Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan Trust website. These are distinct from general darshan and from the VIP darshan option covered in our separate guide.

Sai Baba lived in Shirdi for several decades until his mahasamadhi in 1918, and the Samadhi Mandir built over his resting place remains the spiritual heart of the temple complex today, along with the Dwarkamai mosque and Chavadi, sites connected to his daily life that many pilgrims also visit as part of a full Shirdi darshan. The temple is managed by the Shree Saibaba Sansthan Trust, which also runs extensive free and paid accommodation, dining halls and medical facilities for the enormous number of pilgrims who visit each year.

Shirdi is well connected for pilgrims travelling from across India. Shirdi Airport is close by, around 15 km from the temple, about 20 minutes by taxi. Sainagar Shirdi railway station sits right within the town itself, the most convenient rail option, while Kopargaon (about 22 km), Manmad and Nagarsul are alternative stations on the wider Central Railway network for pilgrims arriving by other routes.

Best Time to Visit Shirdi

The window between 4:00 AM and 7:00 AM, wrapped around Kakad Aarti, is consistently the calmest time to visit, with markedly shorter queues than any other part of the day. Evenings around Dhoop Aarti at 6:30 PM are the busiest, when waits commonly stretch to 3 or 4 hours as the day's pilgrim volume peaks.

Thursdays carry special devotional significance for Sai Baba worship and see noticeably higher footfall than other weekdays. Combined with weekends, this makes Thursday through Sunday the busiest stretch of the week. Pilgrims with flexible schedules generally find Monday to Wednesday mornings the most comfortable time for an unhurried darshan.

 Practical Tip: Shirdi's temple complex includes facilities for pilgrims staying overnight, including dharamshalas run by the Sansthan Trust. Booking accommodation in advance, especially around Thursdays and major Sai Baba festival dates like Ram Navami and Guru Purnima, is strongly recommended given how quickly rooms fill.
 

Ram Navami, Guru Purnima and Vijayadashami are Shirdi's three major annual festival dates, each drawing crowds well beyond the temple's already substantial daily footfall. Vijayadashami in particular marks Sai Baba's mahasamadhi anniversary and is considered the most significant of the three, with the Sansthan Trust organising special processions and extended darshan hours to accommodate the surge in devotees travelling to Shirdi specifically for the occasion.

Rules and Practical Notes

Dress code Modest, respectful attire expected inside the complex

Mobile phones and cameras Restricted inside the sanctum, cloak facilities available

Prasadam Free meals available at the Sansthan Trust's Prasadalay dining hall

Udi (sacred ash) Distributed to devotees as blessed prasad after darshan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Shirdi Sai Baba temple timings?

The temple opens at 4:00 AM and closes at 11:15 PM daily. General darshan runs through the day with no ticket required, structured around the four daily aartis.

What time is Kakad Aarti at Shirdi?

Kakad Aarti is held at 4:15 AM, shortly after the temple opens. It is one of the quietest darshan windows of the day and a favourite among early-rising pilgrims.

How many aartis are performed daily at Shirdi?

Four aartis are performed daily: Kakad Aarti at 4:15 AM, Madhyan Aarti at 12:00 PM, Dhoop Aarti around 6:30 PM at sunset, and Shej Aarti at 10:30 PM.

Is general darshan free at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?

Yes, general darshan is completely free with no ticket required. Separate paid options exist, VIP darshan for a faster queue and paid aarti passes to attend a specific aarti directly.

When is Shirdi least crowded?

The window between 4:00 AM and 7:00 AM, around Kakad Aarti, is consistently the quietest. Evenings around Dhoop Aarti at 6:30 PM are the busiest, with waits commonly running 3 to 4 hours.

How do I reach Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?

Shirdi Airport is around 15 km from the temple, about 20 minutes by taxi. Sainagar Shirdi railway station is right within the town itself, the most convenient option. Kopargaon, Manmad and Nagarsul are alternative stations further away.