Shirdi Punyatithi Festival 2025 – Honoring Sai Baba’s Maha Samadhi

 

Dates: October 1st to October 4th, 2025
Occasion: Commemorating the Maha Samadhi of Sri Sai Baba on Vijayadashami, which occurred on 15th October 1918 at 2:30 PM

Festival Significance

  • Celebrated as Sai Baba’s Punyatithi, coinciding with Dussehra/Vijayadashami
  • Devotees believe this day marks liberation and divine union
  • Millions of pilgrims visit Shirdi during this time
  • Maha Prasad, Brahman Bhojan, and Gavjewan (free meals) are distributed
  • The Samadhi Mandir remains open 24 hours on the main day

Detailed Schedule

01 October – Opening Day

  • 5:15 AM – Kakad Aarati
  • 5:45 AM – Procession of Sai Baba’s Portrait & Pothi
  • 6:00 AM – Akhand Parayan begins (Sai Satcharitra)
  • 6:20 AM – Holy Bath of Sai Baba
  • 7:00 AM – Padyapuja
  • 12:30 PM – Midday Aarati & Teerth Prasad
  • 4:00–6:00 PM – Keertan
  • 6:15 PM – Dhoop Aarati
  • 9:15 PM – Palanquin Procession
  • 10:00 PM – Shej Aarati
  • Dwarakamai Mandir open all night for Parayan

02 October – Main Day (Vijayadashami)

  • 5:15 AM – Kakad Aarati
  • 5:45 AM – Akhand Parayan Samapti & Procession
  • 6:20 AM – Holy Bath
  • 7:00 AM – Padyapuja
  • 9:00 AM – Bhishka Zoli Programme
  • 10:30 AM – Aradhana Vidhi
  • 12:30 PM – Midday Aarati & Teerth Prasad
  • 5:00 PM – Simollanghan at Khandoba Mandir
  • 9:15 PM – Chariot Procession through Shirdi
  • 10:00 PM–5:00 AM – Artist’s Programme
  • Samadhi Mandir open all night

03 October – Devotional Day

  • 5:50 AM – Holy Bath
  • 6:50 AM – Padyapuja
  • 7:00 AM – Rudrabhishek at Gurusthan
  • 10:00 AM – Gopalkala Keertan & Dahihandi
  • 12:10 PM – Midday Aarati
  • 6:15 PM – Dhoop Aarati
  • 7:30–9:30 PM – Artist’s Programme
  • 10:00 PM – Shej Aarati

04 October – Concluding Day

  • 5:15 AM – Kakad Aarati
  • 5:50 AM – Holy Bath & Darshan
  • 6:50 AM – Padyapuja
  • 7:00 AM – Rudrabhishek
  • 10:00 AM–12:00 PM – Gopalkala & Dahihandi
  • 12:10 PM – Midday Aarati
  • 1:00–5:30 PM – Invited Artists Programme
  • 6:15 PM – Dhoop Aarati
  • 10:00 PM – Shej Aarati

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