Places Around Shirdi

Khandoba Mandir is situated on the main road. In front of this temple Baba was welcomed by Poojari Mhalsapati, of this temple, who said “Aao Sai”, when Baba stepped in Shridi. In this temple there are icons of Khandoba, Banai and Mhalsai.
Lord Khandoba was tutelary deity of Mhlasapti, who was priest of Khandoba temple by heredity and he was then responsible for starting worship of Sai Baba.
There is also the story that it is the priest, Mhalsapati, who first spotted the nameless ‘fakir’ and welcomed him to the temple by saying, “Aao Sai.” The particular temple also houses two different shrines, one hosting the statue of Sai Baba, and the other possessing the idol of Lord Khandoba’s horse.
Years later, Sai Baba asked his prominent disciple and devotee, Shri Upasani Maharaj, to stay at this temple for four years for his spiritual upliftment. In the temple of Khandoba, there are icons of Khandoba and his divine consorts Banai and Mhalsai.
Khandoba temple is well maintained, neat and calm place. It is 15 ft long and 15 ft in breath commemorated with a small shrine and Padukas as its base. A stone idol of Lord Khandoba is located in central shrine of the temple. Also idols of Lord Sai Baba and Mhlasapti are inscribed as a remembrance of event of Lord Baba coming to Shirdi. When it comes to daily rituals now, two aartis at 12 noon and 6:00 PM are performed daily