Photo spot in Shirdi
Dwarkamai
Shirdi, Maharashtra
The old mosque where Sai Baba lived for six decades, keeping an ever-burning sacred fire (dhuni) whose ash (udi) is given as blessing.
Best time
Late morning, around the dhuni offering, for the busy lane outside; Thursday night for the lamps and crowd of the palkhi.
Best angle
Stand at the side of the lane facing the entrance and take a wide photo of the doorway with pilgrims going in, without flash and only where security allows phones.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Crowd level
High
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Dwarkamai
Late morning, around the dhuni offering, for the busy lane outside; Thursday night for the lamps and crowd of the palkhi. Crowds here are typically high. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Dwarkamai
Stand at the side of the lane facing the entrance and take a wide photo of the doorway with pilgrims going in, without flash and only where security allows phones. 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.
By the Dwarkamai steps
In the prayer hall (respectfully)
Outfit guide
What to wear at Dwarkamai
For photos at Dwarkamai, saffron, white and green 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
Modern, camera-ready looks picked for Dwarkamai.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Shirdi.
Eat nearby
Food near Dwarkamai
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for misal pav nearby, or settle in at one of the 1 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
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Good to know
Local tips
Visit Dwarkamai after the Samadhi Mandir, since it is only a short walk away.
Collect udi from the counter rather than buying it from street sellers.
Keep your phone put away near the entrance, because photography is not allowed inside.
Look for the Shama Rao Jaykar portrait of Baba inside, the original of the picture sold in shops all over town.
Come around 11:30 am if you want to see the dhuni offering of rice and ghee.
Stand along the lane outside on a Thursday night to watch the palkhi pass towards the Chavadi.
Keep your voice low inside, as many people sit here in silent prayer.
The mosque Baba called home
When the young Sai Baba settled in Shirdi, he was persuaded to move into a half-ruined village mosque. He named it Dwarkamai and lived there for around sixty years, receiving Hindu and Muslim visitors alike. Many devotees count it as the most important place in Shirdi after the tomb itself, because this is where he actually spent his days.
The dhuni and the udi
Baba kept a sacred fire, the dhuni, burning in the mosque, and gave its ash, udi, to people as a blessing when they left. The fire has been kept alight ever since. Pilgrims still collect udi here and take small packets home. Each morning at about 11:30 am, according to the trust's daily programme, the dhuni is fed with rice and ghee.
What else you will see
A large portrait of Baba, painted by the Mumbai artist Shama Rao Jaykar, hangs inside, and it is the image copied on posters all over town. The building itself is plain and low. Its importance is in who lived there, not in its architecture.
Visiting
Dwarkamai is looked after by the temple trust as part of the complex, and its rules follow the Samadhi Mandir's: no phones or cameras inside, shoes off, shoulders and knees covered. There can be a separate short queue. The Chavadi stands just across the lane, and the Thursday night palkhi passes between the two. That is when the lane is at its most crowded and most atmospheric.
Questions
Dwarkamai — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Dwarkamai?
Late morning, around the dhuni offering, for the busy lane outside; Thursday night for the lamps and crowd of the palkhi. Stand at the side of the lane facing the entrance and take a wide photo of the doorway with pilgrims going in, without flash and only where security allows phones.
Is there an entry fee at Dwarkamai?
Entry to Dwarkamai is free.
What are the opening hours of Dwarkamai?
Dwarkamai is open 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
What should I wear at Dwarkamai?
Saffron, white and green photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Dwarkamai get?
Crowd levels are typically high. To miss the busiest window: late morning, around the dhuni offering, for the busy lane outside; Thursday night for the lamps and crowd of the palkhi.
What food should I try near Dwarkamai?
Try misal pav, available at nearby restaurants.
What is udi at Dwarkamai?
Udi is the ash from the dhuni, the fire Sai Baba kept burning. He gave it to visitors as a blessing, and devotees still take it home, often applying a little to the forehead.
Why is a mosque part of a Sai Baba pilgrimage?
Sai Baba lived in this mosque for about sixty years and was followed by both Hindus and Muslims. He named it Dwarkamai, and it became the centre of his daily life in Shirdi.
Is the dhuni fire at Dwarkamai really still burning?
Yes. It has been kept alight since Baba's time, and the trust feeds it each morning with rice and ghee at a set ritual.
Do I need a separate pass for Dwarkamai?
No separate booking is usually needed, but there may be a short queue at the entrance. The same rules on phones, shoes and dress apply as at the main temple.