Chavadi

Chavadi (historically the village council hall of medieval Shirdi) in the sacred temple complex (celebrated across pilgrimage and Sai biographical lore as the sanctum where Shri Sai Baba slept on alternate nights from 1909 until 1918, beginning when monsoon rains flooded Dwarkamai and devotees led by Kakasaheb Dixit escorted Baba to this building), world famous for its Thursday night royal 'Palkhi' procession, preserved wooden bed (Charpai) on which Sai Baba rested, life sized portrait painted by Ambaram during Baba's lifetime, wooden seating plank, silver throne, and a deeply peaceful atmosphere), located along Pimpalwadi Road in Shirdi in Maharashtra, stands as Shirdi's premier sacred landmark.

Holding immense theological significance in the Sai parikrama, Chavadi is partitioned into two distinct halls: the right section where female devotees sit for prayer and the left sanctum where male devotees offer obeisance before the life sized portrait.

It's the home of the sacred wooden bed where Sai Baba was given his final ceremonial bath after leaving his physical body on Vijayadashami 1918, the antique wooden wheelchair gifted by a devoted physician which Baba sanctified with his touch, the ornate mirror reflecting Baba's portrait, and an intensely peaceful, deeply touching temple ambiance filled with the aroma of incense sticks and continuous recitations of the Sai Satcharitra.

It represents a rich Maharashtra devotional heritage apex, Sai Baba evening procession traditions, and pilgrimage tourism where royal palanquin marches, historic wooden relics, Ambaram portraits, and Shirdi parikrama circuits unite in Chavadi.

Located barely 100 meters east of Dwarkamai along the temple lane, it sits 250 meters from Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, 300 meters from Gurusthan, 14 km from Shirdi International Airport (SAG), 3 km from Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station (SNSI), and 85 km from Nashik, easily reached on foot in 3 minutes from any part of the Sansthan complex.

The Historic Thursday Night Palkhi Procession

Every Thursday evening around 9:15 PM, the traditional Palkhi procession re enacts the royal ceremonial walk that devotees organized for Sai Baba over a century ago.

A decorated silver palanquin carrying Baba's sacred portrait, wooden padukas, and royal satka is carried on shoulders from Samadhi Mandir to Dwarkamai and then to Chavadi, accompanied by singing groups, cymbals, and joyful chants of 'Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai'.

Truth is, witnessing the grand Thursday night Palkhi procession as fireworks light up the Shirdi sky will leave an indelible spiritual memory in your heart.

Sacred Relics, Ambaram Portrait & Wooden Charpai

The Ambaram Painting: In 1913, artist Ambaram from Ahmedabad painted a life sized oil portrait of Sai Baba, which Baba saw, blessed, and asked to be hung on the central wall of Chavadi where it remains today.

The Final Bathing Bed: Behind protective glass lies the simple wooden charpai on which Sai Baba's physical body was placed for the holy snan before being interred in the Samadhi Mandir.

Chavadi & Shirdi Sansthan Sacred Day Plan

The Complete Shirdi Pilgrimage Route: Early morning Kakad Aarti at Samadhi Mandir (5:15 AM to 7:00 AM) -> visit Gurusthan (7:15 AM to 8:00 AM) -> tour Dixit Wada Museum (8:15 AM to 9:15 AM) -> darshan at Dwarkamai (9:30 AM to 11:00 AM) -> walk across to Chavadi (11:15 AM to 12:30 PM: view Ambaram portrait & wooden bed) -> lunch prasad at Sansthan Prasadalaya (1:00 PM to 2:30 PM) -> peaceful afternoon at Lendi Baug (3:30 PM to 5:00 PM) -> attend evening Dhoop Aarti and Thursday Palkhi at Chavadi (8:45 PM to 10:15 PM).

Visitor Code & Conduct: Footwear must be removed outside; men and women enter through designated separate sections; silence should be observed inside the sanctum.

After offering prayers at Chavadi, explore Dwarkamai, visit Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, or tour Gurusthan.