Everything you need to plan a peaceful darshan — temple hours, the daily aarti schedule, and the best time of day and year to visit Shirdi.
Every year, lakhs of devotees travel to Shirdi to seek the blessings of Sai Baba at the Samadhi Mandir. But if you don't know the temple's darshan timings, aarti schedule, or the right time of year to visit, you can end up standing in a queue for hours — or missing an important ritual altogether. This guide covers everything you need to plan a smooth darshan, whether you're travelling by train, bus, or a private Pune to Shirdi cab or Mumbai to Shirdi cab.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Darshan Timings
The Samadhi Mandir is open almost 19 hours a day, with a short overnight break for cleaning and rituals.
| Detail | Timing |
|---|---|
| Temple opens | 4:00 AM – 4:45 AM |
| Temple closes | 11:00 PM – 11:15 PM |
| Darshan begins | Around 5:30–6:30 AM (after Kakad Aarti and Mangal Snaan) |
| Free darshan queue | Longest on Thursdays, weekends, and festival days |
| Paid darshan (₹200 pass) | Faster queue, available most days |
Daily Aarti Schedule at Shirdi Temple
The temple's day is structured around four main aartis (prayer rituals). Devotees often plan their darshan around these:
- Kakad Aarti (morning): around 4:30 AM
- Madhyan Aarti (noon): around 12:00 PM
- Dhoop Aarti (evening): at sunset, roughly 6:00–6:30 PM
- Shej Aarti (night): around 10:00–10:30 PM
On Thursdays, there's an additional Palkhi (palanquin) procession around 9:15 PM, which is considered especially auspicious and draws large crowds.
Best Time of Day to Visit (For a Shorter Queue)
If avoiding long lines is your priority, timing your visit within the day matters as much as the season:
- Best window: 4:30 AM – 7:00 AM, right after Kakad Aarti — the queue is shortest and the atmosphere is most peaceful
- Second-best window: Right after Madhyan Aarti, around 1:00–2:30 PM, before the afternoon crowd builds up
- Avoid: Thursday evenings and the hour before Shej Aarti, when queues can stretch to 3–4 hours
Best Time of Year to Visit Shirdi
- October to February (Winter): The most comfortable season — pleasant weather, manageable crowds outside of festivals. Generally considered the best time to visit.
- June to September (Monsoon): Lush green surroundings and fewer tourists, though occasional rain can affect outdoor sightseeing at Shani Shingnapur or Lendi Baug.
- March to May (Summer): Hot and humid — best avoided unless necessary.
- Peak crowd days: Thursdays, Ram Navami (March/April), Guru Purnima (July), and Vijayadashami (October) — expect 3–5x the usual footfall.
How to Reach Shirdi
Shirdi is well connected by road, rail, and air:
- By Air: Shirdi Airport (SAG), about 14 km from the temple
- By Train: Sainagar Shirdi station, just 3 km away
- By Road: Pune (~185 km, 4 hours) and Mumbai (~240 km, 5–6 hours) via NH60
For most pilgrims, a private cab is the easiest option — no waiting for shared transport, no luggage hassle, and you can time your departure to catch the early Kakad Aarti. If you're travelling from Pune, our Pune to Shirdi cab service offers door-to-door pickup with flexible timing, so you can leave early and reach in time for morning darshan. Travelling from Mumbai, our Mumbai to Shirdi cab service is a comfortable overnight or early-morning option that avoids Mumbai's daytime traffic entirely.
You can read more about the temple's history and layout on Wikipedia's Shri Sai Baba Temple page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Shirdi Sai Baba Temple open and close?
The temple typically opens between 4:00–4:45 AM and closes around 11:00–11:15 PM, with a short break overnight for cleaning.
What is the best time to visit Shirdi to avoid crowds?
Weekday mornings between 4:30–7:00 AM, right after Kakad Aarti, usually have the shortest queues. Avoid Thursdays and festival days if you want a quick darshan.
What are the aarti timings at Shirdi temple?
Kakad Aarti (around 4:30 AM), Madhyan Aarti (around 12:00 PM), Dhoop Aarti (at sunset), and Shej Aarti (around 10:00–10:30 PM). Thursdays also have a Palkhi procession around 9:15 PM.
How can I book a VIP darshan pass for Shirdi?
VIP and paid darshan passes can be booked online through the official Sai Baba Sansthan Trust website, usually up to 60 days in advance.
How long does it take to reach Shirdi from Pune or Mumbai?
Pune to Shirdi takes about 4 hours covering 185 km, and Mumbai to Shirdi takes about 5–6 hours covering 240 km by road.
Is it better to travel to Shirdi by cab or bus?
A private cab is more comfortable and flexible — you can leave at a time that gets you there for early morning darshan and avoid MSRTC bus schedules and crowded seating.
Planning your Shirdi darshan from Pune or Mumbai?
Book Your Shirdi Cab NowTimings are compiled from publicly available sources and may change with season or festival calendar. Please confirm current timings on the official Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust website before travelling.
