The Four Great Festivals
Shirdi celebrates three main festivals (Utsavs) with immense grandeur, plus Mahashivratri. These are the most spiritually charged days to visit, though they attract crowds of over 3-4 lakh devotees.
The Thursday Phenomenon
Thursday (Guruwar) is the day dedicated to the Guru. In Shirdi, the population swells dramatically. While spiritually significant, it requires patience.
- 1 Palki Procession: A grand procession of Baba's portrait and padukas takes place on Thursday nights (approx 9:15 PM).
- 2 Wait Times: Darshan queues can last 4-6 hours compared to 1-2 hours on weekdays.
- 3 Atmosphere: Highly charged, chanting "Om Sai Ram" reverberates through the town.
Average Weekly Footfall Distribution
Source: Aggregated Pilgrim Estimates
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Showing an overview of the year. November to February offers the best weather, while June to September sees fewer crowds due to rain/school.
Annual Trends: Crowd vs. Temperature
The Daily Schedule (Nitya Vidhi)
The temple follows a strict schedule of four Aartis. Planning your darshan around these times creates a profound experience.
Kakad Aarti
The Morning Awakening
Most peaceful time. Requires booking in advance.
Madhyan Aarti
The Noon Offering
Very crowded. Full splendor of the Samadhi.
Dhoop Aarti
The Evening Prayer
At sunset. Beautiful atmosphere.
Shej Aarti
The Night Lullaby
Samadhi Mandir closes after this.