After months of State lockdown and places of worship closed gates due to COVID-19, it finally, opened.
After 10-plus years, I planned to re-visit Sai Temple (resumed on November 16, 2020), Shirdi (Maharashtra).
Knowledge was enhanced by the official website of Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi – due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, requested to book Arti / Darshan pass in advance through Sansthan’s official website or via Shri Saibaba Sansthan, Shirdi App available on Google Play or App Store before arriving to avoid inconvenience.
I immediately opened the website and was ready to proceed.
Via the website one can avail Darshan, Aarti, Donation, Accommodation, Pooja, and Publication services.
One has/have to register (in English) and fill in details such as Add Photo (max. 1 MB), Full Name, Mobile Number, Address, Photo ID details, Username, and Password.
Once you SIGN UP, a One Time Password (OTP) you will receive on your mobile for verification and an email in order to complete the account activation.
Next, you have to pick a date, time slot, and the number of persons (max. 4 persons allowed) for the FREE darshan.
Note: only 7 days booking date is available currently and the time slot is available from 7:00 am – 9:00 pm.
All done?
Take a print-out to be shown along with a government-recognized photo-id at Sai temple, Shirdi to enter the temple area.
Note: Children below 10 years, Elders above 65 years, and Pregnant Ladies are not allowed in the booking. Flowers, Sweets, Mobile, Laptop, Camera, and Electronic items are not permitted inside the temple area. Wearing a face mask is mandatory. One has to follow social-distancing rules – 6 feet distance.
Update
My Appointment was on 07.01.2021 / 7:00 am. I reached exactly at appointment time at Gate No. 2. The queue wasn’t long though it was Thursday – said to be the best day to worship Sai Baba.
Knowledge was further enhanced in the queue. There were three more options for Darshan.
- Free pass is available near the temple area. One has/have to show a government-recognized photo id to have a free pass.
- Rs. 200 pass/per person is also available by showing a government-recognized photo id. The queue to enter the temple is separate.
- There is also a separate pass counter for local villagers.
Within half an hour I had blessings of Shri Saibaba.
Very nice disciplined arrangement by the temple authorities and the police. Appreciated.
Social distancing was maintained. Sanitiser was present. Face-mask was checked.
Temple opens at 7 am and close at 9 pm. All days open.
After Darshan, each devotee was given Udi (sacred Ash for FREE in a pouch) as a blessing of Shri Saibaba.
Hope you too will visit soon in this New Year (especially after 2020) for the blessings of Shri Saibaba.