Shirdi, India: travel guide
Sai Baba's shrine town and one of India's busiest pilgrimages
Home to the shrine of Sai Baba — one of India's most visited pilgrimage sites, drawing over 60,000 devotees daily from every faith.
About Shirdi
Shirdi is a small town in Maharashtra, built around the memory of the saint Sai Baba. People of many faiths come here, and the day is organised around queues, darshan and aarti at the Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir.
The main sights sit close together on foot. Alongside the samadhi shrine you can visit Dwarkamai, the old mosque where Sai Baba is said to have lived, and Chavadi, Gurusthan and Lendi Baug, all linked to his daily life. Shirdi is quiet in character, with a devotional rhythm rather than much sightseeing.
It suits pilgrims, families and travellers interested in Indian spiritual life. Winter and the cooler months make waiting in lines more comfortable, and weekdays are usually calmer than weekends and holidays.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- SAG
Last updated
Top places to visit in Shirdi
Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir
temple · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
The white-marble shrine enclosing Sai Baba's tomb and a life-size statue, the spiritual heart of Shirdi drawing millions of devotees for darshan and aarti.
Dwarkamai
shrine · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The old mosque where Sai Baba lived for much of his life, home to the sacred ever-burning dhuni (fire) he lit, a deeply revered spot within the complex.
Shani Shingnapur
temple · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A famous temple town ~70 km from Shirdi devoted to Lord Shani, renowned for its doorless houses reflecting villagers' faith that Shani guards against theft.
Chavadi
shrine · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The modest building where Sai Baba slept on alternate nights; a palki procession is carried here from Dwarkamai with music every Thursday evening.
Gurusthan
shrine · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The sacred spot where Sai Baba was first seen as a young ascetic under a neem tree, believed to fulfil wishes; devotees light incense at the shrine.
Lendi Baug
sacred-garden · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A peaceful garden created and watered daily by Sai Baba, with the ever-burning Nanda Deep lamp and the descendants of his sacred trees.
Khandoba Mandir
temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The temple where Sai Baba was first hailed as "Sai"; an important spot on the Shirdi pilgrimage circuit, atop a small rise in the town.
Sai Baba Sansthan Museum (Dixit Wada)
history · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A museum displaying Sai Baba's personal belongings — his kafni robe, chillum, cooking vessels and photographs — offering an intimate glimpse of his life.
Wet n Joy Water Park
water-park · 4.3 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
A large water-and-amusement park near Shirdi with slides, wave pools and rides, a popular family add-on to the pilgrimage.
Sai Teerth Theme Park
theme-park · 4.3 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A devotional theme park near the temple recreating Sai Baba's Shirdi through rides, a boat journey and a high-tech multimedia "Dwarka" experience.
Maruti Mandir
temple · 4.3 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A revered Hanuman (Maruti) temple in Shirdi town that Sai Baba is said to have frequented, a quiet stop on the local pilgrimage route.
Abhishek Dham
temple · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A modern temple complex on the outskirts depicting scenes from Hindu mythology with vivid statues and gardens, popular with families after darshan.
Things to do
- Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir Darshan Cultural · 2 h
- Shirdi Aarti Experience Cultural · 1 h
- Shani Shingnapur Day Trip Cultural · 5 h · from INR 1,000 per person
- Shirdi Temple Circuit Walk Cultural · 2 h · from INR 400 per person
Day trips and tours
- Shirdi Darshan & Aarti Package 5 h · from INR 900
- Shirdi & Shani Shingnapur Combo 9 h · from INR 1,500
- Shirdi–Shani–Trimbakeshwar Pilgrimage 13 h · from INR 2,500
Where to stay in Shirdi
- Temple Town about INR 2,000 per night
Sacred pilgrimage area near Sai Baba temple
Hotels
- St Laurn Shirdi 4-star · INR 4,500 to INR 8,500 per night
- Sun-n-Sand Shirdi 4-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,500 per night
- Hotel Sai Leela 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 4,500 per night
- Hotel Saiprasad 3-star · INR 2,000 to INR 3,800 per night
- Sai Palace Hotel 2-star · INR 1,200 to INR 2,500 per night
- Sai Ashram Bhakta Niwas 2-star · INR 600 to INR 1,500 per night
Where to eat
- Sansthan Prasadalay North Indian, Vegetarian, Thali · about INR 100 per person
- Sai Prasad Veg Restaurant North Indian, South Indian, Gujarati · about INR 350 per person
- Shirdi Vada Pav & Chaat Stalls Street Food, Maharashtrian, Vegetarian · about INR 120 per person
- Hotel Sai Palace Restaurant North Indian, Chinese, South Indian · about INR 400 per person
- Madhuban Veg Restaurant North Indian, South Indian, Vegetarian · about INR 300 per person
- Hotel Saikrupa North Indian, South Indian, Vegetarian · about INR 250 per person
- Garden Court Multicuisine North Indian, Chinese, Continental · about INR 450 per person
- Shree Sai Dining Gujarati, North Indian, Thali · about INR 250 per person
Getting to Shirdi
Airport: Shirdi (SAG)
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Ride Hail
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Shirdi
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Shirdi?
- The highest-rated places in our Shirdi guide are Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai, Chavadi, Gurusthan, Shani Shingnapur.
- Where should I stay in Shirdi?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Shirdi: Temple Town.
- How do I get around Shirdi?
- Ways to get around Shirdi covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Shirdi?
- The nearest airport to Shirdi has the code SAG.