Photo spot in Shirdi
Chavadi
Shirdi, Maharashtra
The old town hall where Sai Baba slept every alternate night, now a shrine visited on the ceremonial Thursday palanquin procession.
Best time
Thursday night, when the palkhi arrives with lamps and drums; early morning on a weekday for the plain facade without crowds.
Best angle
Stand across the lane near Dwarkamai and take a straight-on photo of the Chavadi front, keeping the phone down if security asks and never using flash.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Chavadi
Thursday night, when the palkhi arrives with lamps and drums; early morning on a weekday for the plain facade without crowds. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Chavadi
Stand across the lane near Dwarkamai and take a straight-on photo of the Chavadi front, keeping the phone down if security asks and never using flash. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
At the Chavadi entrance
In the shrine hall
Outfit guide
What to wear at Chavadi
For photos at Chavadi, saffron, white and cream work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Shirdi.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural looks that suit Chavadi.
Eat nearby
Food near Chavadi
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for sabudana khichdi nearby.
Special dishes to try
Search food by craving
Good to know
Local tips
See the Chavadi straight after Dwarkamai, since the two face each other across a short lane.
Women should use the open section and follow the signs, as one part is traditionally closed to them.
Come on a Thursday night for the palkhi, and claim a spot along the lane early in the evening.
Expect a late night on Thursdays, as the procession runs around the time of the night aarti.
Visit on a weekday morning if you want the Chavadi quiet enough to sit for a few minutes.
Leave your phone outside or in your room, because photos are not allowed inside.
Wear something easy to slip off, as shoes are removed at the door.
The village hall
A chavadi was the office of a Maharashtrian village: the place where taxes were collected, records kept and disputes heard. Shirdi's stands just across the lane from Dwarkamai. In his later years Sai Baba slept here on alternate nights, walking over from the mosque with devotees singing around him. After his death it became a shrine, open to all.
The Thursday procession
That nightly walk is remembered every Thursday. Late in the evening a palanquin leaves the Samadhi Mandir and carries Baba's image past Dwarkamai to the Chavadi and back, with drums, torches and bhajans. It is the most moving thing to see in Shirdi, and it goes on late. Arrive early and find a spot along the lane.
Inside
The Chavadi has two parts. By a custom that goes back to Baba's lifetime, women do not enter the section where he slept; the other section is open to everyone. You will see his portrait and a few objects associated with him. Photography is not allowed inside, and shoes come off at the door.
Visiting
The Chavadi usually has a shorter queue than the main temple and is often calmer. Most people see it in the same walk as Dwarkamai. Give it ten or fifteen minutes. If you want the full Sai story in order, go on to Khandoba Mandir, where it began.
Questions
Chavadi — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Chavadi?
Thursday night, when the palkhi arrives with lamps and drums; early morning on a weekday for the plain facade without crowds. Stand across the lane near Dwarkamai and take a straight-on photo of the Chavadi front, keeping the phone down if security asks and never using flash.
Is there an entry fee at Chavadi?
Entry to Chavadi is free.
What are the opening hours of Chavadi?
Chavadi is open 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
What should I wear at Chavadi?
Saffron, white and cream photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Chavadi get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: Thursday night, when the palkhi arrives with lamps and drums; early morning on a weekday for the plain facade without crowds.
What food should I try near Chavadi?
Try sabudana khichdi at spots close by.
Why did Sai Baba sleep at the Chavadi?
In his later years he slept on alternate nights at Dwarkamai and at the Chavadi. Devotees walked him over in procession, and that walk became the weekly Thursday palkhi.
Can women go inside the Chavadi?
Yes, into one section. By an old custom, women do not enter the section where Baba slept. Follow the signs and the staff at the door.
What was the Chavadi originally used for?
It was the village office, where taxes were collected, records kept and visiting officials stayed. After Baba's death it became a shrine.
How long should I spend at the Chavadi?
About ten to fifteen minutes on a normal day. On a Thursday night, allow an hour or more if you want to watch the palkhi arrive.