Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, located in Shirdi, Maharashtra, India. It’s one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the country, dedicated to Sai Baba, a spiritual figure who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is venerated by both Hindus and Muslims for his teachings and miracles.

The temple, officially known as the Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, houses the tomb (samadhi) of Sai Baba, who passed away in 1918. He first arrived in Shirdi around 1858 as a young man and spent much of his life there, living simply in a dilapidated mosque he called Dwarkamai. His teachings emphasized unity, compassion, and devotion to God, transcending religious boundaries. After his death, his followers built the Samadhi Mandir over his resting place, which has since grown into a sprawling complex.

The temple itself is relatively modest in architecture compared to some grand Indian temples, but it’s striking nonetheless. The samadhi is made of white marble, surrounded by an ornate railing, and a life-sized statue of Sai Baba, carved from Italian marble in 1954, sits above it, often adorned with a gold crown and garlands. The interior and exterior cone of the temple are gilded with gold, adding a touch of splendor. The complex spans about 200 square meters and includes other significant spots like Dwarkamai (the mosque), Gurusthan (where Sai Baba was first seen meditating under a neem tree), Chavadi (where he sometimes rested), and Lendi Baug (a garden he tended).

Daily life at the temple revolves around devotion. It opens at 4 AM with the Kakad Aarti (morning prayer) and closes around 10 PM after the Shej Aarti (night prayer), with Madhyan (noon) and Dhoop (evening) Aartis in between. On average, it sees 25,000 visitors a day, swelling to over 100,000 during festivals like Ramnavami, Guru Purnima, and Vijayadashami (the day of Sai Baba’s passing). Thursdays are especially busy, considered a holy day for Sai Baba. The Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust manages the temple, offering facilities like accommodation (with over 2,500 rooms), a massive community kitchen serving up to 40,000 people daily, and even the world’s largest solar cooker for preparing food.