The Shirdi Aarti booking online guide below walks you through the sai.org.in portal end-to-end in 2026. Register with Aadhaar or passport ID, pick a date 30 days ahead, choose Kakad, Madhyan, Dhoop or Shej, pay Rs 400-600 via UPI or card, and download a QR e-pass. Reach the Aarti counter 60 minutes before the Aarti starts with your original ID. Refund and cancellation rules are at the end.
Online booking is the only practical way to attend the inner-hall Aarti at the Samadhi Mandir. Same-day counter passes for Aarti are rare on regular days and impossible on Thursdays or festivals. The Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust opens bookings exactly 30 days before each Aarti date.
Before You Start
What You Need
- Valid email address (the same one you will use for the Trust account)
- Active mobile number for OTP verification
- Original photo ID — Aadhaar (preferred), passport, voter ID, or driving licence
- Payment method — UPI, net banking, debit card or credit card
- Decision: which Aarti, which date, how many people
The Four Aartis and Their Approximate Timings
- Kakad Aarti — 4:30 AM (early morning)
- Madhyan Aarti — 12:00 PM (noon, most popular)
- Dhoop Aarti — sunset (varies, roughly 6:00-7:00 PM)
- Shej Aarti — 10:30 PM (night)
Cross-check exact times on the Shirdi Aarti schedule and timings page.
Step 1: Open the Official Trust Portal
Go to sai.org.in — the only official portal of the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust. We are an independent pilgrim information site at shirdisansthan.org.in and we do not process bookings. Beware of look-alike domains and third-party agents charging extra.
From the home page, click on the “Online Booking” or “Online Services” link in the top menu. You will land on the services dashboard with options for Aarti, darshan, accommodation, donations and prasad.
Step 2: Create an Account
If this is your first visit, click “New User Registration”.
On the registration form you will see:
- Full name (as on ID)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Email address (this becomes your login)
- Mobile number (Indian or international)
- ID type: Aadhaar, PAN, passport, voter ID, driving licence
- ID number
- Address (city, state, PIN, country)
- Password (8+ characters with one number and one special character)
An OTP is sent to your mobile and a verification link to your email. Complete both within 10 minutes. Returning users log in directly with email + password.
Step 3: Navigate to Aarti Booking
From the dashboard select “Aarti Booking”. You will see a calendar view of the next 30 days.
Dates that are fully booked appear greyed out. Dates with limited availability are amber. Available dates are green. The further you scroll right, the more open availability — devotees booking 28-30 days ahead get the widest choice.
Step 4: Pick Your Date
Click the green-coloured date you want. The next screen shows the four Aartis with current seat availability counts. Madhyan Aarti is typically the first to fill, then Shej, then Kakad, then Dhoop.
Thursday dates and festival dates may show all four Aartis as “Sold Out” within hours of booking opening. If your dates are flexible, check Monday-Wednesday slots first.
Step 5: Select the Aarti and Number of Devotees
Click your chosen Aarti — Kakad, Madhyan, Dhoop or Shej. The next page asks for:
- Number of devotees (each Aarti pass is for one person; book multiple passes for a group)
- Name, ID type and ID number for each devotee
- Age and gender for each devotee
Children under 5 do not need a separate pass and are allowed in with a parent or guardian. Children 5-12 need their own pass; the system applies the same adult rate.
Step 6: Review and Add Optional Add-ons
The review screen shows your selections plus an option to add Bhakt Niwas accommodation, VIP Darshan Pass, or laddoo prasad pre-booking. Add what you need — checkout in one flow saves you logging in again later.
Estimated costs in 2026:
- Kakad Aarti pass: Rs 400
- Madhyan Aarti pass: Rs 600
- Dhoop Aarti pass: Rs 400
- Shej Aarti pass: Rs 400
- VIP Darshan Pass: Rs 200
- Bhakt Niwas room: Rs 200-1500/night
(Prices subject to Trust revisions; confirm on the portal at booking time.)
Step 7: Pay
The Trust portal supports:
- UPI — Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM (cleanest, fastest, 0% surcharge)
- Net banking — all major Indian banks
- Debit card — Visa, MasterCard, RuPay (free of surcharge)
- Credit card — Visa, MasterCard (some convenience fee on certain cards)
- International cards — international Visa and MasterCard supported for NRI devotees
The payment gateway times out after 10 minutes. If your payment fails, do not retry blindly — check email and the dashboard “My Bookings” first. Double-charge is rare but does happen.
Step 8: Download Your QR E-Pass
On successful payment you reach a confirmation page with:
- Booking reference number
- Name and ID of each devotee
- Date, Aarti type, time
- QR code (one per devotee)
- “Download PDF” button
Download the PDF immediately. The same e-pass is emailed to you and visible under “My Bookings” in the dashboard. Save offline copies on three places: phone, email, printed copy. Many devotees lose access to phone email on darshan day due to network issues; a printed copy saves the trip.
Step 9: On Aarti Day
60 Minutes Before the Aarti
Reach the Aarti pass counter at the Samadhi Mandir. The counter location is shown on the e-pass and on signboards within the Trust complex. Bring:
- Printed or digital QR e-pass
- The original ID matching the e-pass for each devotee
- A small wallet with cash for cloakroom token (Rs 10-20 per item)
Cell phones, big bags and leather items go to the cloakroom. The volunteer scans your QR code, matches the ID name, and issues a coloured wristband or token specific to that Aarti.
30 Minutes Before
You are escorted into the inner Aarti hall and seated. Seating is first-come within the pass category — seniors and women are usually directed to chairs at the front.
During the Aarti
Photography is not allowed. Phones are not allowed in the hall in the first place. Sit silently, follow the chant if you know it, accept Udi and tirth from the volunteer.
After the Aarti
The hall empties through the south exit. Collect prasad on the way out. The Aarti pass is single-use; if you have a pass for another Aarti the same day you go through the full counter process again.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation more than 7 days before the Aarti: 80% refund.
- Cancellation 3-7 days before: 50% refund.
- Cancellation less than 3 days before: no refund.
- No-show on Aarti day: no refund.
- Refunds are processed to the original payment source within 7-14 working days.
If you reach the counter after the Aarti has started, entry is denied and no refund is issued. Plan to arrive 60 minutes before.
What to Do If Your Booking Fails
- Check “My Bookings” — your pass may have succeeded even if the browser timed out.
- Check your registered email — confirmation e-pass arrives within 5-10 minutes of payment.
- Check bank/UPI statement — if money was debited but no e-pass exists, raise a ticket with the Trust at the contact form on sai.org.in or call +91 2423 258500.
- Do not retry the same Aarti slot until you have confirmed the first booking truly failed — you may end up with two passes you cannot use together.
Common Booking Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking a different name/ID than the devotee actually attending. The QR scanner matches strictly. Re-issue is not allowed.
- Forgetting that the time on the e-pass is Aarti start time, not arrival time. Counter cut-off is 60 minutes before — many first-timers miss this.
- Using a friend’s account to book “for the group”. If the friend cannot come, you cannot use her booking. Each devotee needs ID matching the pass.
- Choosing Thursday “because it is special” without booking 30 days ahead. Thursday passes sell out in 30-60 minutes of release.
Other Booking Services You Can Add
The same Trust portal handles:
- VIP Darshan Pass at Rs 200
- Bhakt Niwas room booking
- Laddoo prasad and tirth
- Online donations to the Trust
- Annadanam and akhand parayan sponsorship
Bundle them at checkout to save logging in again. Full overview on the Shirdi online booking services page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I book a Shirdi Aarti online?
Aarti bookings open exactly 30 days before each Aarti date on the official Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust portal at sai.org.in.
How much does a Shirdi Aarti pass cost in 2026?
Approximately Rs 400-600 per person depending on the Aarti. Madhyan Aarti is the most expensive at Rs 600. Kakad, Dhoop and Shej are around Rs 400. Confirm current rates on sai.org.in at booking time.
Can I book multiple Aartis on the same day?
Yes, you can book separate passes for two or more Aartis on the same day. Each pass requires a separate counter check-in 60 minutes before that Aarti.
What ID do I need at the Aarti counter?
The original photo ID whose number you used at booking. Aadhaar is preferred. Photocopies and digital scans are not accepted. The name on the pass must match the ID exactly.
Can I transfer my Aarti pass to someone else?
No, Aarti passes are non-transferable. Each pass is locked to the ID number entered at booking. If your travel plans change, cancel before the deadline for a partial refund.
What happens if I reach late for my Aarti?
If you reach after the Aarti has started, entry is denied and no refund is issued. The counter cut-off is 60 minutes before the listed Aarti start time.
Is there a refund if I cancel my Aarti booking?
Yes. More than 7 days before the Aarti: 80% refund. 3-7 days before: 50% refund. Less than 3 days before or no-show: no refund. Processing takes 7-14 working days.
Can international devotees book the Shirdi Aarti?
Yes, NRI and international devotees can book using a passport ID and an international card on sai.org.in. The portal accepts international Visa and MasterCard. UPI is also available if you have an Indian bank account.