The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is one of the most prestigious and revered Temple institutions in India dedicated to the life and teachings of Sri Sai Baba, a Saint or a Fakir respected by all of India’s religious communities. The Temple complex is located in Shirdi, a small town in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

The life history and philosophy of Sri Sai Baba are recorded in the Sai Satcharitra. The manuscript is the work of Shri Hemadpant, an ardent devotee of Baba. It is said that Sai Baba himself blessed the book and wanted his teachings to be spread around by the medium of books.

The followers of Sai Baba believe that Sai is an acronym of the Sanskrit term “Sakshat Eshwar”, a reference to God. Sakshat means “incarnate” and Eshwar means “God”.

The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Complex is spread in an area of approximately 200 sq.mt. The Complex consists of six main areas of interest.

• Khandoba Temple – This temple is the spot where Sai Baba was given the name “Sai” upon entering the village of Shirdi. At the entrance to the temple is a large banyan tree which is mentioned in the ‘Shri Sai Satcharitra’ as the place where the bullock cart halted. It is now commemorated with a small shrine and ‘padukas’ at its base.

• Gurusthan – The place is located under a Neem tree where Sai Baba spent most of his time in his early stay in Shirdi. According to Sai Baba, his own “Guru” is buried beneath the Tree and should not be disturbed. Beside the tree, one can see a pair of marble padukas on a pedestal, a ‘Shivalinga’ and a statue of Baba at the place.

• Samadhi Mandir – The Temple was initially constructed in dedication of Lord Krishna. It is believed that Sai Baba advised Gopalrao Booty to construct a temple so that he can satisfy the needs of the people. With Sai Baba’s approval, they started the construction work on the Temple in 1915. When Baba fell ill, he asked devotees to move him into the temple. He breathed his last on October 15, 1918. He was buried in the Temple and an idol of his has been installed over it.

• Dwarkamai – The small mosque where Sai Baba stayed has become the center of attraction in Shirdi as it provides a glimpse of the spiritual life that he lead. One can visit the “Dhuni” or the “Perpetual Fire”, see the Kolamba. Sai teerth, The sack of wheat, Cooking pot, The Nimbhar and several other artifacts that have a personal significance and legends associated with them

• Chavadi – Chavadi is the place where Sai Baba would sleep on alternate days during the last decade of his life It played a major role in the beginning of formal worship of Baba. Once Baba started sleeping at Chavadi, the custom arose of offering regular Aarti to him on his arrival from the mosque. This was Shej (night) Arati. Later, Kakad (morning) Aarti was offered when he woke up there.

• The Lendi Gardens – This is the garden complex which was often visited by Sai Baba to meditate and contemplate on the worldly matters. One can visit the Nanda Deep – the perpetually burning Deep kept between two trees here.