Every afternoon at 4 PM, the Shirdi Pothi reading begins inside the Samadhi Mandir. A priest opens the Shri Sai Satcharitra and reads Baba’s life story aloud, while devotees sit quietly before the samadhi. Many pilgrims miss this simple, moving ritual because guidebooks rarely print its exact time. So this guide fixes that, and explains what the pothi is, when it happens, and how you can read it yourself.
Shirdi Sai Pilgrim Guide is an independent devotee resource. We are not affiliated with the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, and we take no bookings, donations, or seva payments. For any official service, please use the Trust’s own portal linked below.
Shirdi Pothi Reading at a Glance
- What it is: a daily devotional reading of the Shri Sai Satcharitra, Baba’s sacred life story.
- Where: inside the Samadhi Mandir, before Sai Baba’s marble murti.
- Official time: 4:00 PM every day, as listed in the Sansthan’s daily programme.
- Cost: free to sit and listen, because you do not book or pay for it.
- At home: anyone can read the same book as a Saptah Parayan over seven days.
What Is the Pothi Read at Shirdi?
The pothi is the Shri Sai Satcharitra, the book that records Sai Baba’s life, teachings, and miracles. Devotees treat it as a living scripture, not merely a biography. Because Baba himself blessed its writing, reading it is felt as sitting in his presence.
The original was written in Marathi by Govind Raghunath Dabholkar, whom Baba affectionately called “Hemadpant”. He composed it in ovi, a traditional Marathi verse form, and finished 53 chapters. Later, Nagesh Vishwanath Gunaji adapted the work into English, and his widely read version condenses the story into 51 chapters.
So when you see “51 chapters” on one site and “53 chapters” on another, both are correct. The count simply depends on whether you read the Marathi original or the English adaptation. The Sansthan prints the text in many languages, and it also offers free audio versions on its official website.
Why Baba Blessed This Book
Dabholkar wanted to record Baba’s leelas, yet he hesitated to begin such a task. When he sought permission, Baba agreed on one condition, that the writer surrender his ego and let Baba’s grace do the work.
That story matters, because it shapes how devotees approach the pothi even today. You do not read it to collect facts. Instead, you read it to spend time with Baba, so a slow, attentive parayan is valued far above a fast one.
Shirdi Pothi Reading Timings in the Samadhi Mandir
The official Shirdi Pothi reading takes place at 4:00 PM daily inside the Samadhi Mandir. This slot sits between the noon Madhyan Aarti and the evening Dhoop Aarti. Because it belongs to the fixed daily programme, it happens every day of the year, not only on special occasions.
This is worth stressing, since several travel sites get it wrong. Some claim the temple reads the Satcharitra at 8 AM, while others say it happens “once a month”. Neither matches the Trust’s published schedule. The correct, verifiable time is 4:00 PM, in the Samadhi Mandir, as shown on the official daily programme.
You do not need a ticket or a booking to attend. Simply be inside the mandir a little before four, find a place to sit, and listen. Temple staff do not allow photography inside the sanctum, so keep your phone away and let the reading settle your mind.
The Daily Temple Programme Around the Pothi
The pothi reading is one thread in a full day of worship at the Samadhi Mandir. Knowing the whole rhythm helps you plan your darshan around it. Here is the Sansthan’s daily programme, with the pothi highlighted.
| Time | Programme | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 5:15 AM | Kakad Aarti (morning) | Samadhi Mandir |
| 5:50 AM | Mangal Snaan | Samadhi Mandir |
| 12:00 PM | Madhyan (mid-day) Aarti | Samadhi Mandir |
| 4:00 PM | Pothi (devotional reading) | Samadhi Mandir |
| Sunset | Dhoop Aarti | Samadhi Mandir |
| ~10:30 PM | Shej Aarti (night) | Samadhi Mandir |
Aarti times can shift slightly with the season, so confirm them on the official portal before you travel. The Dhoop Aarti in particular moves with sunset. For a fuller breakdown of each service, see our Shirdi aarti schedule.
How to Do Shirdi Pothi Reading as a Saptah Parayan
You do not have to be in Shirdi to read the pothi. Baba encouraged devotees to read the Satcharitra at home, and the most popular method is the Saptah Parayan. Saptah simply means “a week”, so a Saptah Parayan finishes the whole book in seven days.
Many devotees begin on a Thursday, which is regarded as Baba’s day. Others start on a Friday, so that the seventh day falls on a Thursday. Both traditions are common, because Baba set no rigid rule about it.
Here is a simple way to complete a Shirdi Pothi reading at home over seven days:
- Clean a quiet corner, then place the book on a small cloth near Baba’s photo.
- Light a lamp and an incense stick, and apply a little udi if you have it.
- Divide the 51 chapters across the week, roughly seven to eight chapters a day.
- Read with attention, since faith matters far more than speed.
- Devotees especially value chapters 11 and 15, so many read them daily.
- Offer a simple naivedya, such as a sweet, at the end of each day’s reading.
- On the final day, place two coins before Baba as symbols of Shraddha and Saburi.
There is no fixed clock time for home reading. If you cannot bathe or light a lamp for any reason, you may still read while remembering Baba. The Sansthan’s free audio Satcharitra also helps when your eyes are tired or you are travelling.
Reading the Pothi Online and by Audio
Not everyone can reach Shirdi for the 4 PM pothi, so the Sansthan makes the Satcharitra easy to reach from home. Its official website carries the full text, and it streams free audio in several languages. This really helps working devotees and elderly readers keep up a daily habit.
Audio also suits a group parayan, because everyone can listen together while one person turns the pages. During a Saptah, many families play one chapter each evening after lighting the lamp. Whichever format you choose, the words stay the same, so Baba receives the same devotion.
A printed copy still carries a special charm, though. Wrap it in a clean cloth, keep it in your puja space, and read a few lines even on ordinary days. That small habit keeps the Shirdi Pothi reading alive in your home all year.
Akhand Parayan During Shirdi Festivals
On the biggest festival days, the temple holds an Akhand Parayan, a continuous, unbroken reading of the entire Satcharitra. This is the grandest form of Shirdi Pothi reading, and it draws enormous crowds.
During the Punyatithi, on Vijayadashami, which marks Baba’s mahasamadhi in 1918, the pothi and Baba’s photo are carried in procession from the Samadhi Mandir to Dwarkamai. The reading then continues day and night until the main festival morning. You can learn more about the shrine in our guide to Dwarkamai.
Akhand Parayan also features on Ram Navami, Guru Purnima, and Datta Jayanti. Because these nights run late, the Samadhi Mandir often stays open through the night. If you plan to attend, arrive early, since queues on these days can stretch for hours.
Shraddha and Saburi: The Meaning Behind the Parayan
Baba summed up his whole teaching in two words, Shraddha, meaning faith, and Saburi, meaning patience. The parayan is really a practice of those two qualities. You read steadily, day after day, and you trust the outcome to Baba.
Devotees traditionally do a parayan to seek Baba’s grace during illness, exams, job searches, or family worries. These benefits are matters of faith and devotional tradition, not guaranteed outcomes. A parayan can bring calm and strength, yet it is not a substitute for medical care or professional advice, so please continue any treatment your doctor has recommended.
Common Myths About Shirdi Pothi Reading
Because so much online information is second-hand, a few myths keep circulating. Clearing them up protects both your time and your money.
Myth 1: The temple reads the pothi at 8 AM. The official daily programme lists the Pothi at 4:00 PM. The morning hours are reserved for Kakad Aarti, Mangal Snaan, and darshan.
Myth 2: You must pay to “book” a pothi reading. Sitting in on the daily Shirdi Pothi reading is free. So if a website asks for a fee to reserve a pothi, treat it as a warning sign.
Myth 3: The Satcharitra may be read only in Marathi, or only on a Thursday. Baba welcomed reading in any language, on any day. Thursday is preferred, although it is not compulsory.
Myth 4: Any “official-looking” booking site is genuine. The only official portal is sai.org.in. For darshan or seva bookings, always go through the Trust’s own site, which you can navigate with our Shirdi online booking guide.
Tips for Attending the Pothi in Shirdi
A little planning makes the experience calmer and more meaningful. These are the small things most guides skip.
- Reach the mandir by about 3:45 PM, so you can settle before the reading starts.
- Carry a thin shawl or stole, since the marble floor stays cool even in summer.
- Deposit footwear and leather items at the cloakroom before you enter.
- Keep phones on silent, because photography inside the sanctum is not allowed.
- Pair the 4 PM pothi with the Dhoop Aarti at sunset for a full evening of darshan.
- If you want the Thursday palki too, read our Chavadi procession guide.
Before You Go
The Shirdi Pothi reading is one of the quietest yet most rewarding parts of a Shirdi yatra. Aim for the 4:00 PM slot in the Samadhi Mandir, and give the reading your full attention. If you cannot travel, a home Saptah Parayan brings the same book and the same Baba to your own puja corner. Either way, hold on to Shraddha and Saburi, and route every booking through the official portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is the Shirdi Pothi reading?
The Shirdi Pothi reading is at 4:00 PM every day in the Samadhi Mandir. It sits between the noon Madhyan Aarti and the evening Dhoop Aarti. Timings can vary slightly, so confirm on the official Sansthan portal.
Which book is read during the pothi?
The book is the Shri Sai Satcharitra, Baba’s life story written by Govind Dabholkar, or “Hemadpant”. The Marathi original has 53 chapters, while the popular English version by N.V. Gunaji has 51. The Sansthan publishes it in many languages.
Do I need to book or pay for the Shirdi Pothi reading?
No. Attending the daily pothi in the Samadhi Mandir is free, and there is no booking. Just be seated a few minutes before 4 PM. Anyone claiming to sell a paid pothi slot is not official.
How do I do a Saptah Parayan at home?
Read the whole Satcharitra over seven days, often starting on a Thursday. Divide the chapters across the week, and read with faith and attention. On the last day, offer two coins that symbolise Shraddha and Saburi.
Can I read the Sai Satcharitra in my own language?
Yes. Baba placed no restriction on language. The Sansthan offers the text and free audio in Marathi, Hindi, English, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and more. Read whichever language you understand best.
What is Akhand Parayan at Shirdi?
Akhand Parayan is a continuous, unbroken reading of the full Satcharitra during major festivals. On the Punyatithi, the pothi is carried from the Samadhi Mandir to Dwarkamai and read through the night. It also happens on Ram Navami, Guru Purnima, and Datta Jayanti.
Is the pothi reading the same as an aarti?
No. An aarti is a sung worship service with lamps and offerings, while the pothi is a spoken reading of the Satcharitra. The 4 PM pothi is separate from the four daily aartis. Many devotees attend both.
Can reading the Satcharitra cure illness?
Devotees read the parayan seeking Baba’s grace during hardship, including illness. This is a matter of faith and tradition, not a medical guarantee. Always continue any treatment your doctor advises alongside your prayers.
