Understanding the exact schedule of the Shirdi Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir is crucial for planning your day, especially if you wish to witness the soul-stirring Aartis. As of 2026, the temple follows a disciplined daily routine that begins long before sunrise.
🚀 Shirdi Temple Daily Schedule (2026)
The temple is open for approximately 19 to 21 hours a day. The most critical thing for pilgrims to remember is that Darshan is briefly paused during the four major Aartis.
| Event | Timing | Significance |
| Temple Opens | 4:00 AM | Gates open for the morning crowd. |
| Bhupali | 4:15 AM | Soft songs to wake the deity. |
| Kakad Aarti | 4:30 AM – 5:00 AM | The waking-up ceremony (Highly popular). |
| Mangal Snaan | 5:05 AM | The holy bath of the idol. |
| Darshan Begins | 5:40 AM | General queue Darshan starts for the public. |
| Madhyan Aarti | 12:00 PM | The mid-day (noon) prayer session. |
| Dhoop Aarti | Sunset | The evening incense ritual (Time varies). |
| Shej Aarti | 10:30 PM | The bedtime ritual (The final Aarti). |
| Temple Closes | 11:15 PM | Doors close after the night ritual. |
🕒 3 Critical Timing Rules to Remember
- Queue Closure: The Darshan line is typically stopped 30 minutes before each Aarti begins. For example, if you want to be inside for the 12:00 PM Aarti, you should be in the queue much earlier.
- Thursday Palki: Every Thursday, a grand Palanquin Procession starts at 9:15 PM. During this time, the temple area is extremely crowded, and movement near Dwarkamai is restricted.
- Special All-Night Openings: On major festival days—Ram Navami, Guru Purnima, and Vijayadashami (Dussehra)—and on New Year’s Eve, the temple remains open throughout the night. On these rare nights, the Shej Aarti and following morning’s Kakad Aarti are cancelled to allow continuous Darshan.
📍 Entry Gates and Access (2026 Updates)
- Gate No. 2: The primary entry point for General Darshan (No passes required).
- Gate No. 1: Primarily used for VIP/Paid Pass entries and Mukh Darshan.
- Gate No. 3: Dedicated entrance for Senior Citizens and specially-abled pilgrims. One family member is allowed to accompany them for support.
- Gate No. 4: The main Exit Gate leading towards Dwarkamai and Chavadi.
🛡️ Pro-Tips from ShirdiTemple.com
- Best Slot for Peace: If you want a serene experience with minimal crowds, the 4:00 AM to 7:00 AM slot (including Kakad Aarti) is best, though you must arrive by 3:30 AM to secure a spot.
- Avoid the Rush: Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings see the highest wait times (often 3–5 hours). Plan your visit for Tuesday or Wednesday for a 45-minute Darshan experience.
- Online Booking: For Kakad and Shej Aartis, online booking on the official online.sai.org.in portal is almost mandatory as offline tickets sell out within minutes of the counter opening.
Synchronize Your Faith with the Perfect Schedule!
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