Having a Darshan or a look at Shri Saibaba, when in
Shirdi is heavenly in itself. The sheer calmness and serenity that peeps
through the white marble statue of this saint hypnotizes you and
initiates you into a mystical and spiritual journey that imparts a new
meaning to your existence.
With thousands of devotees that queue up to have a look at this
heavenly visage, the timings for Darshan are fixed by the Sai temple
authorities. You must get acquainted with this before you go for a
darshan of Shri Sai Baba.
Samadhi Temple that houses the statue of Shri Saibaba opens for public
Darshan at 5am, when the temple opens. You need to be there well before
4am since a long queue is already there for a moment's glance of Sai
Baba. It is the time when "Utha utha Sakala Jana" a
melodious prayer is played on audio cassette. Exactly at 5.15am Kakad
arati begins as a request to Lord Sai to wake up and give His
merciful glances to His devotees.
After the Kakad Aarati, the Samadhi and the Idol of Shri Sai is offered
Mangal Snan (Holy bath) with milk, curd, honey, sugar, ghe and warm
perfumed water. After this Baba is offered Shodashopachar pooja leading
to aarti. From 7.10am you can have full darshan of Shri Saibaba and also
make offerings such as flowers, garlands, coconut, sweets, etc. Saibaba
darshan continues till 11.45am.
Between 12 and 12.30pm Mahadhyan aarti or Noon arati is
performed. After this aarti, once again Sai darshan begins and devotees
line to have a glance of Sai Baba. Darshan continues through Dhup
aarti or Sunset aarti. The timings of Dhup aarti changes as per the
orientation of Sun and thus it changes through different seasons.
After Dhup aarti, at around 10am Shej aarti is done, which is
the preparation for Saibaba to retire for the day. The temple is closed
by 10.20pm. You can have regal darshan of Saibaba's padukas or sacred
footwear on Thursdays and on special days. During these times a majestic
procession is held in all pomp and show with Saibaba's padukas kept
along with his portrait is carried in a royal palanquin from Samadhi
Mandir to DwarkaMai and Chawri.
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