If you are planning your vacation to south India, your visit cannot be considered complete without witnessing the magnificence of temples. Trichy or Tiruchirapalli, is a fast-emerging city in Tamil Nadu, renowned worldwide for its Dravidian Temples. Among them, one of Asia’s biggest temples dedicated to Shirdi Sai Baba is Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple. The temple has a perfect blend of art, architecture, and spirituality. Tiruchirappalli is a major destination for both tourists and pilgrims. Moreover, there are some other prominent temples, like Rock Fort Temple, Thayumanaswamy Temple, and so on where one can find peace and spirituality.
Location And Timings
Image Credit: Om Sri Sai Dwarkamai for Facebook
Located in the small village of Akkaraipatti in Trichy, at about 20 km, Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple. It is often known as the ‘Shirdi’ of South India. The temple is built in a total area of 50,000 sq ft and is one of the most revered temples of South India. This temple is easily accessible for devotees from Chennai or Trichy as it is right on the Chennai-Trichy National Highway, about four kilometres from the Samayapuram toll.
Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple opens 6 AM till 8 PM. For those who want to attend the aarti ceremony, the timings are as follows: 6 AM is the morning aarti, 12:30 PM is the noon aarti, 6 PM is the evening aarti, and 8:30 PM is the night aarti.
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The Legend Of Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple
Sai Baba always preached to his disciples that all religions are the same as they share the same motive to be near the Almighty. He was against all kinds of discrimination as per one’s caste or religion they practice. His key teachings were based on two important features of human character – Shraddha, or faith, and Saburi, or patience.
Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple was built in 2015 at the instruction of the chairman of the NTC Group of Companies. In 2019, it opened for devotees. In a grand ceremony attended by many spiritual and prominent personalities, the Kumbabishekam was performed. Kumbabishekam is a Hindu temple ritual believed to combine, synergize, and bond the divine powers of the deity.
The Architecture
Image Credit: Om Sri Sai Dwarkamai for Facebook
The impressive architecture of Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple is admired by devotees and experts who understand and value excellent artistry. The structure of this temple is a three-story building, which appears to be a work of embellishment and architectural beauty. The wide basement hosts a 5-foot-tall Shiva Lingam and the rest of the space is used for yoga and meditation. The ground floor is also spacious and covers the saint’s huge idol, about two tons of marble. From the first floor, devotees can stand and watch the religious ceremonies. Moreover, the Temple complex also has four sub-shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha and other deities. Various mural paintings exhibiting Sai Baba’s appearance are elegantly drawn on the inner false ceiling of the temple.
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Akkaraipatti Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Facilities
The Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple is managed by a trust that offers several facilities to the devotees. Some of the key services provided are Annadhanam (daily meals) and medical camp. Daily free meals are offered to all the devotees.
Two ramps are installed on the temple’s ground floor to assist the specially challenged and old people. The disciples can witness the puja ceremony and religious activities from the first floor. On festivals or special days, clothes are distributed among the less privileged and needy from the nearby villages.
The Best Time To Visit
The Ideal time to visit Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple is during the winter months, i.e. November to February. The weather in southern India is pleasant during this time, having milder temperatures and pleasant weather. It feels nice to be outdoors and explore the temple during this weather. If you wish to experience an eventful time at the temple, you can plan your visit accordingly around the festivals or public holidays. You can also plan to visit this temple during the week as the temple remains quieter. Before planning your visit to the temple, you should check the calendar of events planned there. Detailed planning of the visit will help you have a fulfilling visit to the temple.
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How To Reach
Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple is one of the famous pilgrims for sai devotees. There are various ways a person can opt to reach
1. By Flight
Take a flight from the major cities of India and reach Tiruchirappalli International Airport, the nearest temple to Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple. The airport is not very far and is about 28 km away. Considering the traffic situation, a taxi ride to the temple will not take more than an hour.
2. By Train
Tiruchirappalli Junction Railway Station is the nearest station to the temple, which has good connectivity to the major cities of Tamil Nadu and the rest of the country. The Station is about 25 km from the temple and can be reached by cab within an hour.
3. By Road
Tiruchirappalli is well-linked to the other major cities of Tamil Nadu and India. The advantage of the location of this temple is that it is located on the Chennai-Trichy national highway.
Further Read: Temples In South India
The Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple is a vast spiritual haven for the devotees and believers of Sai Baba. It stands as a medium for them to connect with the divine aura of Sai Baba and find temporary peace from the inherent challenges that life keeps throwing. Now that you know the essential details, book your trip to Tamil Nadu today and visit this sacred temple of Sai Baba.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple
Where is Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple located?
Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple is located in the small village of Akkaraipatti near Trichy in Tamil Nadu. It is about 20 km away from Trichy. Often called the ‘Shirdi’ of South India, the temple is easily accessible if you are coming from Trichy or Chennai. It is located on the Chennai-Trichy National Highway and can be conveniently reached by road.
How to reach Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple?
You can reach Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple by train and then by road. Take a train or flight to Trichy and take a taxi to the temple from the Tiruchirappalli railway station or airport. In our temple tour custom-designed by TravelTriangle for you, our trained drivers will take you to the temple swiftly and conveniently.
When to visit Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple?
The best time to visit Akkaraipatti Sai Baba Temple is during the winter months (from November to February). Though South India's winters are unlike North India, they are still pleasant and offer a good time for outdoor activities. The rest of the year may not be the best time to plan your visit as the weather becomes hot and humid. The Monsoon months, from June to October, can also cause inconvenience due to heavy downpours and occasional flooding.
Is there any VIP darshan in Shirdi?
The entry to the temple for them is through Gate 1, which is the VIP gate. Tourists could also get a Darshan ticket at a VIP gate on all days except on Thursdays as there is a high demand it being an auspicious day
How much time will it take for VIP darshan in Shirdi?
A maximum of one hour should be fine on ordinary days excluding Thursdays, Weekends and Festival days. One can do a free darshan and also a paid darshan.
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