Best 13 Places to Visit in Shirdi in 2024: location, time

Shirdi, the home of India’s greatest spiritual saint – Sai Baba, is one of the most-visited pilgrimage centres in the country. Once a small, non-descript village, Shirdi shot to fame when a young ascetic appeared here and started preaching the values of shraddha (devotion) and saburi (patience) to people. The town today is literally woven around his life and all the places to visit in Shirdi are closely associated with Sai Baba.

For a memorable experience in this spiritually-rich town, you must see these top places to visit in Shirdi.

Places to Visit in Shirdi:

1. Samadhi Mandir, Shirdi

Samadhi Mandir | #1 of 13 Places to visit in Shirdi

The site of Sai Baba’s tomb, Samadhi Mandir is the first stop for nearly every visitor to Shirdi. It was built in 1922 by a wealthy businessman from Nagpur and an ardent follower of the saint – Shrimant Gopalrao. However, the life-like white marble statue of Sai Baba was installed here in 1954. Spread across 7.5 acres of land today, this temple receives an average of 50,000 to 60,000 devotees from all across India daily.

You could visit the shrine throughout the day but the best time is during the daily prayers, held four times a day: at 4.30 am (kakad aarti), 12 pm (madhyan aarti), 6.30 pm (dhup aarti) and 10.30 pm (shej aarti).

• Where: Sai Nagar, Shirdi
• When: 4.00 am – 11.00 pm

2. Gurusthan, Shirdi

Gurusthan | #2 of 13 Places to visit in Shirdi

Legend says that Sai Baba was first seen as a Bal yogi, a young ascetic only about 16-years old at the time, under a neem tree in the village of Shirdi. This spot is marked as Gurusthan and is a highly revered spot in the pilgrimage town today. It is also considered to be the place where Sai Baba’s Guru was laid to rest.

A small shrine dedicated to the saint has been built here where devotees light incense sticks, believing it will shower them with Sai Baba’s blessings. Gurusthan, which literally translates to the seat of the teacher, has a pair of marble padukas on a pedestal, a statue of the saint and a ‘Shivalinga’ within its premises.

• Where: Mauli Nagar, Shirdi
• When: 5.00 am – 10.00 pm

Explore recommended places to stay in Shirdi at best price

3. Dwarkamai Mosque, Shirdi

Dwarkamai Mosque | #3 of 13 Places to visit in Shirdi

One of the holiest places to visit in Shirdi, Dwarkamai Mosque is famed as the main residence of Sai Baba for all the 60 years he spent in town. The most remarkable feature of the mosque is the dhuni – a perpetual holy fire first lit by Sai Baba; the wood ash from the fire is believed to have healing powers and is a sacred gift that devotees take back with them.

The mosque also houses an oil painting of the saint, a stone stool that he used in his daily bath, a grinding stone he is supposed to have used, a shila or stone slab he sat on and a wooden bowl that he used to keep alms given by the villagers. A significant place in the life of the spiritual saint, Dwarkamai is a must-visit if you want a glimpse into his life and times.

• Where: Sai Nagar, Shirdi
• When: 5.30 am – 9.30 pm

4. Chavadi, Shirdi

Chavadi | #4 of 13 Places to visit in Shirdi

Sai Baba’s stay at Dwarkamai was once interrupted due to heavy rains rendering it unfit for living. During this time, as revealed by legends, his devotees requested him to move to the village’s chavadi – a public building used for meetings, record keeping and dispute settlements. Once Dwarkamai had been repaired, the saint returned but he made it a point, after that, to spend some nights at the chavadi too. In time and especially after Baba’s mahasamadhi, Chavadi became one of the most revered places in town.

Today, the procession or palki that carries Baba’s padukas and photograph from Dwarkamai to Chavadi is attended by devotees as a reminder of the time when it offered respite to their beloved saint.

• Where: Mauli Nagar, Shirdi
• When: 3.45 am – 9.00 pm

5. Sai Teerth Theme Park, Shirdi

Sai Teerth Theme Park | #5 of 13 Places to visit in Shirdi

For a wonderfully tactile experience, visit the Sai Teerth Theme Park that is fast becoming one of the top places to visit in Shirdi. The only one of its kind in India, this beautifully constructed theme park is a tech-driven, devotional experience that takes you on a journey through Sai Baba’s life.

There are 4 shows on offer here – Teerth Yatra (showcasing India’s most impressive temples), Dwarkamai (about the famed mosque where Sai Baba lived), Sab Ka Malik Ek (a one-hour movie encapsulating the life of the saint), and Lanka Dahan (a 5-D experience of Hanuman’s journey to Lanka).

• Where: Taluka Rahata, Shirdi
• When: 00 am – 6.00 pm
• Entry Fee: From Rs.450 – Rs.590 per person; Free for children (below height 3’3”)

6. Sai Heritage Village, Shirdi

Sai Heritage Village | #6 of 13 Places to visit in Shirdi

With beautifully sculpted statues depicting various events in the life of Sai Baba, Sai Heritage Village is one of the must-visit places in Shirdi. The theme park offers a glimpse into the life of the mystic saint and gives the visitors an idea of what the town of Shirdi was like back in his time.

You can see various life-like sculptures, showing the saint offering medical aid to the needy, serving food to his devotees, scenes from his palki and the daily village life here. A well-maintained garden, a ropeway and a toy train for the kids are also available at the park at extra cost.

• Where: Ahmednagar-Manmad Highway, Taluka Rahata, Shirdi
• When:00 am – 8.00 pm
• Entry Fee:125 per person

7. Lendi Baug, Shirdi

Devotees flock to Lendi Baug in Shirdi to explore the garden that Sai Baba created himself and nurtured out of what was just a wasteland. Named after a small brook that used to flow nearby, Lendi Baug is home to a marble ‘deepgruha’ that commemorates the ‘diya’ that the saint placed here. He also planted a neem and a peepal tree here that still exist. It is believed that he meditated under the neem tree in this garden, away from his disciples and the rest of the village.

The garden is an oasis of calm in a town filled with crowds and a worthwhile place to visit in Shirdi. While here, you might also want to visit the samadhis of some of Sai Baba’s most ardent devotees including Shri Tatya Kote, Bhau Kumbhar and VP Iyer.

• Where: Mauli Nagar, Shirdi
• When:00 am – 7.00 pm

8. Dixit Wada Museum, Shirdi

Dixit Wada Museum is a rich repository of all things associated with the mystic saint and one of the most visited places in Shirdi by history lovers. Located within the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Complex, this museum displays rare photographs of Sai Baba, his personal effects like the Kafni (the long robe he wore), padukas, utensils, gramophone records, a palki gifted in his service and a chair that he used.

This tranquil place offers an insight into the ascetic’s life and is truly worth your time.

• Where: Mauli Nagar, Shirdi
• When:00 am – 10.00 pm

9. Upasani Maharaj Ashram, Shirdi

Another one in the long list of places to visit in Shirdi is the Upasani Maharaj Ashram, the abode of Upasani Maharaj – one of the most ardent followers of Sai Baba. It is said he received enlightenment at the hands of Sai Baba here, and the ashram houses important artefacts from Maharaj’s time in Shirdi.

Run by women devotees, the peaceful ashram exudes a spiritual aura that is difficult to miss.

• Where: Shirdi-Manmad State Highway
• When: Open 24 Hrs

10. House of Laxmibai Shinde, Shirdi

The age-old house of Laxmibai Shinde belongs to an ardent devotee of Sai Baba and the lady who cooked for him every day. She was also among the seven devotees who were with the saint when he left his body.

It is said that Baba made her a ‘bhet’ of nine silver coins during his final moments that are displayed here.

• Where: Palakhi Road, Shirdi
• When: 00 am – 10.00 pm

11. Abdul Baba Cottage, Shirdi

Abdul Baba Cottage | #11 of 13 Places to visit in Shirdi

One of Sai Baba’s most devoted followers was Abdul Baba who was also his constant companion and often confidant. Abdul Baba’s cottage, which houses many rare artefacts associated with the saint’s life, is today one of the most popular places to visit in Shirdi. Situated right opposite the Chavadi, Abdul Baba’s Cottage is worth visiting and makes for a memorable experience.

• Where: Mauli Nagar, Shirdi
• When: 00 am – 10.00 pm

12. Khandoba Mandir, Shirdi

Khandoba Mandir | #12 of 13 Places to visit in Shirdi

Khandoba Mandir in Shirdi, dedicated to a manifestation of Lord Shiva, is closely associated with Sai Baba. It is believed to be the place where the mandir’s priest, Mhalsapati welcomed Sai Baba saying, “Aao Sai”. And that’s how the saint got his name.

The temple is a quiet, peaceful place housing a beautiful stone idol of the presiding deity as well as those of Sai Baba and the priest Mhalsapati.

• Where: Sai Nagar, Shirdi
• When: 00 am – 10.00 pm

13. Maruti Mandir, Shirdi

Maruti Mandir | #13 of 13 Places to visit in Shirdi

Believed to be the oldest temple in town, Maruti Mandir is one of the most visited places in Shirdi. Legend has it that the saint paid his respects to Lord Hanuman presiding here as he passed the temple every day. Situated between Dwarkamai Mosque and Chavadi, this shrine is a must-visit during Sai Darshan tour.

• Where: Mauli Nagar, Shirdi
• When: 00 am – 10.00 pm

Besides these many attractions all related to the life and times of the widely-worshipped saint, Sai Baba, there are many other fascinating places nearby that can be visited on a trip to Shirdi. These include Shani Shingnapur (a famous Shani Temple), Bhandardara (a resort town) and Trimbakeshwar (a celebrated Shiva temple and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India). As one of the holiest pilgrimage towns in India, Shirdi sees thousands of visitors coming here every day. Most devotees visit all the points of interest listed above to gain an insight into the life of the ascetic and to pay their respects. Have you been to any of these?