Shirdi, Maharashtra: The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust has received a distinguished offering from a Dubai-based devotee, who has donated an intricately carved, gold‑plated frame for the northern window, inside the Shirdi Temple. This window is deeply revered by pilgrims as it provides the sacred Mukhashadarshan—a direct view of Shri Saibaba’s idol in the Samadhi Mandir.
The newly installed frame, crafted with detailed gold workmanship, has already become a point of admiration for thousands of devotees visiting the shrine each day. Its presence enhances both the devotional atmosphere and the architectural beauty of the Temple.
Ceremonial Installation
Before installation, the Sansthan performed a traditional vidhivat puja, marking the auspicious beginning of the offering. Following the ceremony:
– Official Felicitation: Sansthan Chief Executive Officer Goraksha Gadilkar formally honored the devotee for their generous contribution.
– Respecting Donor’s Wishes: In accordance with the donor’s request, the Sansthan has maintained complete confidentiality regarding their identity.
A Continuing Tradition of Devotion
The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust continues to welcome heartfelt acts of devotion from devotees across the world. Contributions such as this not only enrich the spiritual ambience of the Temple but also strengthen Shirdi’s role as a global center of faith and inspiration.
Category: Shirdi Mandir
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Dubai Devotee Donates Gold‑Plated Frame to Shri Saibaba Sansthan
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Shirdi Trust served 8 Lakh devotees
On the occasion of the Christmas holidays and the 2026-New Year celebrations, the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi organized the ‘Shirdi Festival’ from December 25, 2025, to January 2, 2026.
Goraksha Gadilkar (IAS), Chief Executive Officer of the Sansthan, reported that over 8 lakh devotees visited the shrine, contributing a total donation of approximately ₹23.29 crore.
- Viz: Total Cash collection of ₹22.03 crore through various channels. (Rs.16.83 lakh worth Foreign Currencies from 26 countries.)
- 293.91 grams of gold and 5.98 kg of silver &
- a gold and diamond-studded crown weighing 655 grams, valued at approximately ₹80 lakh.
Sansthan Trust served:
- Free Meals: Over 6 lakh devotees at the Shri Sai Prasadalaya.
- Food Packets: Over 1.09 lakh food packet service.
- Ladoo Prasad: 7.67 lakh packets were sold, for ₹2.30 crore.
- Free Boondi Prasad: 5.76 lakh packets were distributed.
CEO emphasized that these funds are utilized for the Shri Saibaba and Shri Sainath Hospitals, educational institutions, charitable medical aid for outpatients, and enhancing infrastructure and social welfare projects for devotees.
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Self-Affirmation from Chapter IV of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees
- ✨I conquer this Samsara (worldly existence) by following Sai Baba, who is the repository of wisdom and peace.
- 🛕I have been drawn to Shirdi by Sai Baba, because HE remembers my family/merit and desires my spiritual welfare.
- 🔱I trust that Sai Baba is Pandharinath Vithal (God) incarnate, the merciful Lord of the poor and helpless.
- 🛕Pandhari and Dwarka, I seek are here with Sai Baba; Shirdi is my sacred place.
- 🛐As I am earnest and devout with Love, Vithal (God) will manifest Himself.
- 💞I catch the vision of God firmly, as HE will escape if I am a little inattentive.
- 🏊Placing my head on Sai Baba’s Feet in Shirdi is equal to bathing in the holy Tirth of Prayag, and all my desires are destroyed.
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✈️ Plan Your Journey from Dubai UAE to Shirdi (SAG)
🕉️ Experience the Divine Presence of Shirdi Sai Baba
Blessed Pilgrimage Awaits You! the sacred abode of Sri Sai Baba, Shirdi welcomes devotees from across the globe.
Now, reaching Shirdi from Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah or Abu Dhabi is easier with multi-leg flight options via major Indian hubs.
🛫 Flight Options from UAE to Shirdi (SAG), India.
International Airlines:
Indian Arrival Hubs–
- 🏙️ Ahmedabad (AMD), Delhi (DEL), Hyderabad (HYD), Bengaluru (BLR), Kochi (COK), Chennai (MAA), etc
Transfer to Shirdi
- 🚐 ONLY Via Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Kochi (COK), Chennai (MAA)
- 🛬 Final leg operation by IndiGo, regularly: Seasonally by Air India, Akasa Air, SpiceJet
📌 Important Notes (2025)
- No direct flights from UAE to Shirdi
- No direct flights from Mumbai to Shirdi!—travelers must route via a secondary hub or Go by Train/Road
- IndiGo only offers seamless multi-leg booking from UAE to Shirdi.
- For step by step, about Tour and Shirdi Temple see this.
🙏 Let Your Journey Begin…
For Travel Assistance & Bookings: 📍 Book your journey today and experience the peace of Shirdi Sai Baba’s darshan. 📞 For bookings, contact at [Phone*/Email*].[🌐 [Website* or Above Airlines Booking Portal for updated status of operation.
*Soon?
🕉️ “Sai Baba is always with you—take the first step toward His darshan.”
We invite you to reach out and enquire us whenever you have questions or require assistance.
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All Festivals in Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi
I. Important Festivals
Top vibrant festivals at Shirdi are:
i. Shree Ram Navami
Shri Ram Navami is celebrated as Rama’s birthday. Started in 1911, during the lifetime of Sai Baba, Shri Ram Navami at Shirdi is special. The day has been celebrated continuously every March/April, by both Muslims and Hindus with great unity.
ii. Shree Guru Pournima
Guru Poornima is a Hindu festival, celebrated with devotion at Shirdi. Poornima means a “full moon” and Guru means “the master.” Baba asked his devotees to celebrate it. Guru Poornima at Shirdi began in the year 1910. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Ashadh month of the Hindu calendar every July.
III.Vijayadasami (Shree Sai Baba Punyatithi- Anniversery )
Vijaya Dasami is a Hindu festival. It is known by different names, such as Dasara, Dussehra, and Dussarah. It is celebrated as the festival of “Victory of Good over the Bad” during every September/October. This day holds great significance for Sai devotees; Baba passed away on this day of Vijaya Dasami on 15-10-1918 around 2:30 PM.
II. Other Festivals
The following festivals are also being celebrated, regularly at Shirdi Temple.
- Mahashivarathri -At 12 Midnight RudraAbhishek at Gurusthan
- Rang Panchami- Chariot Procession at 5 PM
- Gudhi Padwa- Traditional Ornaments to Shree Sai Baba & Rath Yatra at 5 PM
- Hanuman Jayanti-Starts at 4 AM; Recite Bhajans throughout Night at Hanuman Temple.
- Ashadhi Ekadashi -Remembrance of Baba’s darshan to Dasganu Mahraj, as Lord Vittal
- Shravani Somvar -Every Monday of Shravan month. Sai Baba in white dress with Rudraksha
- Gokul Ashtami -Midnight Bhajans; placing Silver idol of Balakrishnan in cradle. Rath Yatra at 9.15pm
- Narli Pournima – The Only day, Sai Baba wears Golden Ring in His index finger. Priest ties Rakhi to Him
- Pola – Earthen Bullocks and Cow are worshipped, on Shravan Krishna Amavasaya.
- Ganesh Charturthi – Dome shaped sweet made up of grated Coconut and jaggery offered to Baba.
- Anant Chaturdashi- On Bhadrapad shuddha Pournima.
- Kojagiri Pournima – Ladshmi-Indra Pooja at 11 PM & Moon, reflected in Milk is worshiped at Midnight.
- Deepawali – Paste of Sandalwood is smeared on Baba’s idol & Lakshmi Pooja with Silver Lotus.
- Kartiki Ekadashi – Palki Procession at 9.15 PM with photos of Sai Baba and Lord Vitthal.
- Tulsi Vivah /Marriage – At Dwarkamai on Kartik shuddh Dwadashi.
- Shree Datta Jayanthi – Rath Yatra at 9.15 with photos of Sai Baba and Lord Dattatraya.
Source: Thanks Publicity Department, SSST & Souvenir of SSST given on Sai Media Summit on 5th October 2025.
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Akhanda Parayan during the Mahasamadhi Utsav
The Akhanda Shri Sai Satcharitra Parayan (continuous reading of the sacred text) is a very significant event that takes place during the annual festival in Shirdi commemorating Sai Baba’s Mahasamadhi (death anniversary).
General information about the Akhanda Parayan during the Mahasamadhi Utsav (Festival):
* Date of the Mahasamadhi: Shirdi Sai Baba attained Mahasamadhi on the day of Vijayadashami (Dussehra) in 1918. The date changes each year according to the Hindu calendar, but it usually falls in September or October. The Utsav is typically a three or four-day event surrounding the main Mahasamadhi day.
* Akhanda Parayan Schedule:
* The Akhanda Parayan usually starts on the first day of the Utsav.
* The reading begins after the Kakad Aarti (early morning aarti) and a procession of Baba’s photo and the Pothi (holy book, Shri Sai Satcharitra) from the Samadhi Mandir to Dwarkamai.
* The continuous, uninterrupted reading of the Shri Sai Satcharitra takes place in Dwarkamai (Baba’s Masjid) and continues all day and through the night, as Dwarkamai is kept open.
* The Parayan is completed on the morning of the main Utsav day (Mahasamadhi day), after which the Pothi and Baba’s photo are taken back to the Samadhi Mandir in a procession.
* Participation: Devotees wishing to participate in the Akhanda Parayan, by reading one of the 53 chapters, often have to submit their names a day before the festival begins, and chapters are allotted through a lottery system.
To get the exact dates for the upcoming Akhanda Parayan, you would need to check the official calendar for the Mahasamadhi Utsav for the specific year, which is generally published on the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) official website as the date gets closer.
For example, in 2025, Sai Baba’s Mahasamadhi Day is on October 2nd (Vijayadashami/Dussehra), and this festival took place on 1st October. -
Entry Pass at Gate 4 of Shridi Mandir
New special initiative for devotees and local citizens.
An entry pass system has been implemented at Gate No. 4 of Sai Baba Mandir in Shirdi. This initiative has facilitated access to the temple premises; yet, it does not grant entry into the Main Mandir.
- Devotees engaging in visits
- to the Shree Shanaishwar, Shree Ganesh, and Shree Mahadev temples
- for meditation purposes (at the Reading and Meditation Hall)
- as visitors in the Administration Office
- all occurring within the Samadhi Mandir premises
(You) can use Gate No.4, avail this Entry pass and go for the above purposes
- Devotees engaging in visits
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Baba inspires New Seekers. See How
New seekers can find immense inspiration in the accounts of Sai Baba for several reasons, primarily stemming from His divine characteristics, accessible teachings, and the profound impact He had on His devotees:
- Omniscience and All-pervasiveness:
- New seekers are inspired by Sai Baba’s ability to know all events, past, present, and future, regardless of distance.
- This quality reassures devotees that Baba is aware of their struggles and intentions, no matter where they are.
- Curing Maladies and Fulfilling Desires:
- Baba’s power to cure ailments and fulfill desires inspires many.
- Stories of His miraculous healings, including serious diseases, highlight His divine capability.
- He has helped childless devotees and resolved various life challenges, fostering hope for others.
- Ease and Simplicity of Devotion:
- The simplicity of devotion to Baba is appealing to newcomers.
- He did not require complex rituals but encouraged remembering His name, listening to His stories, and meditating on Him.
- These practices promote spiritual growth accessible to everyone.
- Nature as a Sadguru and Divine Incarnation:
- Baba is viewed as a true guru and a manifestation of God, aiming to uplift humanity.
- His compassion and unconditional love exemplify his divine nature.
- Acceptance and Unity:
- Baba’s disregard for caste or religious distinctions inspires many.
- He honored festivals from both Hindu and Muslim traditions, promoting unity and acceptance in devotion.
- Grace and Spiritual Progress:
- Seekers find inspiration in the idea that Baba’s grace leads to rapid spiritual growth.
- He emphasized surrendering ego and having faith for self-realization and bliss.
- Ever-living Presence:
- The belief that Baba remains “ever alive” after His passing provides comfort to devotees.
- His tomb is thought to still communicate with those who devote themselves to Him.
- Being “Drawn” to Shirdi:
- The notion that devotees are “drawn to Shirdi” suggests a divine guidance in their journey.
- This belief brings comfort and assurance that their arrival is orchestrated by Baba.
- Omniscience and All-pervasiveness:
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Sai Baba was there, truly!
Dr Antonio Rigopoulos, Italy in his ‘Oral Testimonies on Sai Baba As Gathered During a Field Research in Shirdi and Other Locales in October-November 1985′ (Venice Ca’ F Editions Oscar – Digital Publishing 2021) explained his own Experience that:-
”I went to the cāvaḍī and while I was casually sitting at the cāvaḍī’s entrance, looking at the raṅgolīs, the auspicious signs that some young women were skilfully drawing on the ground, a stray dog caught my attention. He was full of pustules and eczemas, of fleas, and was in a really bad shape. Then it suddenly flashed on me that that dog was Sai Baba. It was something stronger than a simple thought, like an insight or a sudden flash of awareness that I find hard to put into words. I really felt that he was that dog and that he was standing in front of me in that very form: it had the force of an incontrovertible truth. It was a strange and startling experience indeed. Sai Baba was that dog: the lowest, the despised, the most neglected creature. The dog had sweet and penetrating eyes, which called for sympathy and attention.
I felt I finally understood something: not intellectually, i.e. with the head, but emotionally, i.e. with the heart. There was Sai Baba, truly and fully. It came like a revelation and I shed a few tears; couldn’t help it. It was just so overwhelming”
-On 21 Oct 1985 at 7.30 am
Thanks / Reference:
Rigopoulos, Antonio. ‘7 Shirdi-Kopargaon-Shirdi. Monday, October 21, 1985’. Masters, Texts and Sources of the East (2020): n. pag. Crossref. Web.
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